The ice caps are melting, oceans are drowning in plastic waste and biodiversity is rapidly declining. To prevent the worst from happening, a change of mind towards circularity is needed as soon as possible. Kaldewei’s first sustainability report – the Luxstainability® Report – demonstrates how committed Kaldewei is to the environment, the way they promote real recyclability and the goals they have set.
The Luxstainability® Report “Sustainable developments start with design and choice of materials. As it is at this point the decision is made on how recyclable a product will be at the end of its life cycle,” says Franz Kaldewei, CEO of Kaldewei.
For over 100 years, Kaldewei has been manufacturing high-quality bathroom objects from sophisticated steel enamel. Steel enamel is 100 percent circular, which makes it one of the most recyclable materials in the bathroom. However, the family business is not content with just a sustainable product DNA, they are now using bluemint® Steel, which is another step towards CO2-free production. This now means every product in their “nature protect series” has its carbon footprint reduced by up to 70 percent.
Official commitments for climate protection
The seriousness of CO2 reduction and climate protection for Franz Kaldewei is demonstrated by his signature on the Science Based Targets. Kaldewei was the first sanitary company, to join over 2,000 other companies, in committing to complying with the 2015 Paris Climate Protection Agreement, which limits global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The official obligation to report on sustainability comes not place from 2025, in accordance with the new CSR Directive, which was adopted at EU level in November 2022. But Kaldewei is already providing insight into measures and targets for climate protection regarding economic, ecological and social aspects in its Luxstainability® Report.
Commitment to the environment is fundamental to Franz Kaldewei, for over five years, his company has been a partner of WWF Germany, initially in the implementation of a WWF marine protection program and more recently the focus has shifted to the promotion of reusable packaging in Germany.
The Luxstainability® Report was created based on the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards and can be downloaded in full here: Luxstainability® Report from Kaldewei.
The bathroom is no longer merely a place for daily care. It has become a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life where you can feel at ease and unwind. In a similar way, kitchens have converged with the living room, the bathroom is now becoming one with the bedroom. In this feature, Duravit explains how to maximise this trend.
Room boundaries are becoming more fluid, with for example the washing area and bathtub located in the centre of the bedroom, and only the toilet being physically separated.
Floating spaces work because sanitary objects are now designed and installed like furniture – as decorative standalone features made from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and natural stone with a look and feel that creates a sense of sanctuary.
The bathroom as a living area
Contemporary bathrooms are being designed in an increasingly homely style, not just sanitary objects and bathroom furniture, but furnishings, lamps, textiles, and accessories are increasingly finding their way into this corner of the home.
Forms and materials combine with calming neutral tones to create a relaxed ambience – this is enhanced with plants that accentuate the space and ensure a pleasant room climate. Inspiration from nature in interior design are hallmarks of Scandinavian design and Japanese aesthetics. The Zencha bathroom collection from Duravit brings these two concepts into harmony. Designer Sebastian Herkner crafted sanitary objects and bathroom furniture from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and textured glass.
Light also influences our wellbeing and creates a positive mood in a room. With the new Vitrium for Duravit collection, designer Christian Werner shows how well-placed illumination can transform the bathroom into a genuine living space. Back-lit, translucent fronts made from PARSOL glass lend the furniture a light, almost floating impression, bring warmth into the interior, and invoke memories of an open fire.
Natural lifestyle
Inspiration from nature is a trend that is here to stay in interior design. As a material, wood has surfaces that are appealing to the touch as well as aesthetic and tactile qualities that make it suited to a natural furnishing style like almost no other material. Wood is an established feature of the bathroom. For example, the fronts of the console vanity units in the Vitrium by Christian Werner bathroom range are available in wood as well as glass panels and a range of décor finishes.
In D-Neo,
Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly created a complete bathroom range that offers no-fuss vanity units and semi-tall cabinets in a range of oak and walnut furniture finishes.
Whilst stone is undergoing a renaissance as a natural material. The striking marbling, fascinating inclusions, tactile surfaces, and countless colour nuances of granite, quartzite, and marble exude a unique aura. Duravit is offering natural stone for the first time as part of the new Qatego collection from Studio F. A. Porsche. The designers have combined ceramic above-counter basins with solid stone panels made from Carrara marble, ravertine, and Pietra Lavica, which can be mounted on the wall or as a console unit. Each of the natural stone panels used is a unique piece, which is expressed through the varied shimmering colours and veining.
The aesthetic benefits such as tactile surfaces and an attractive patina, and the durability of natural stone makes it suited to everyday bathroom use.
Small and tasteful
Increasing numbers of manufacturers now offer not only sanitary objects but also furniture in smaller sizes so even bathrooms with compact measurements can easily be transformed into living spaces.
Bathrooms in large cities are often only a few square meters in size and the Vitrium range from Duravit is ideal for small rooms. Its most striking design feature is the reduced furniture depth just 42 or 48 centimeters, with the round above-counter basin slightly protruding above the furniture edge.
Such a uniform design language across a range of elements helps create a generous sense of space, Vitrium’s mirrors come in rectangular or round versions or as a mirrored cabinet, this is available as a built-in version.
Storage furniture, mirrored cabinets and washbasins with storage space also play their part in maintaining order in the bathroom. On Bento by Philippe Starck, the clean, clearly structured washing areas with their subdivision of dry and wet areas provides a wide range of individual design options and all personal care products and accessories can be placed within easy reach.
When everything has a place, then visual calm is also ensured. Free surfaces can then accommodate eye-catching decorative pieces such as jewellery boxes, vases, and bowls.
Preserving resources
Thinking and acting in a sustainable manner has always been important at Duravit – especially when it comes to timelessly designed products made from high-quality and durable materials. Duravit offers a range of bathroom solutions that consume less water than conventional ones or are made from sustainable materials.
Sustano is a good example: the first ever recyclable shower tray from the German manufacturer, made from the sustainable mineral material DuroCast Nature, it has a high surface hardness and density, and the shower trays can either be returned to the manufacturer or a local recycling center at the end of their useful life.
The minimalist Tulum faucet range by Philippe Starck is equipped with a FreshStart function that saves energy and water as it only produces cold water to start with, until the handle is deliberately moved from the central position. The flow rate is limited by the MinusFlow function which also helps save this precious resource. In parallel to its existing sustainable product range, Duravit has embedded the goal to be climate-neutral by 2045 in its company targets.
Hygiene in the bathroom
Since the pandemic more attention is paid to hygiene, especially in the bathroom. Thorough cleanliness is ensured with easy-to-clean surfaces such as ceramics or DuroCast Nature, and through design and technical features. The White Tulip toilets from Philippe Starck are equipped with the innovative HygieneFlush technology, which cleans the entire inside of the toilet. HygieneGlaze is a ceramic glaze which ensures that approx. 90 per cent of bacteria (e.g. e. coli bacteria) have been eliminated after just six minutes, rising to approx.
99.9 per cent after 24 hours. Another Philippe Starck creation is the Soleil by Starck bathroom series, whose toilet surprises with a slightly protruding, delicate lid. This special design feature means that the lid is easy to grip without touching the seat or ceramic.
Kudos Shower Products has announced the appointment of Rob Stead as senior business development manager for the business. Rob joins the company with over 30 years of experience in bathroom B2B sales.
“We are delighted that Rob has joined the Kudos Sales team, he brings with him such a wealth of experience and product knowledge and we will benefit hugely from his established industry relationships too.” Said sales & marketing director Nick Graville.
As senior business development manager, Rob will be focussed on working with our distributor partners In growing the number of Kudos retailers and their displays Including those approved for Premium Collection products.
Rob adds; “I have always admired the quality of the Kudos showering products. They come with some great features and benefits and it’s always a bonus to sell products that are made here in the UK. There is a growing demand for local supply, not only to reduce transport costs and carbon footprint, but customers see the huge benefits of products designed with ease of installation for the UK bathroom and with locally held stock with a great techncial service from the Retail Support Team. I am already receiving very positive feedback from customers.”
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.
Dallmer, the German shower drainage manufacturer, is introducing the new CeraFrame Liquid – a specifically designed shower channel that creates a seamless, thin-layered finish in shower areas.
CeraFrame Liquid, part of the DallFlex shower channel system family, achieves that smooth, blended finish many people desire. The Black Edition channel and grate finishes are designed to help customers achieve relaxing and luxury spa-like bathrooms.
Black is a statement colour and looks good in any bathroom. Dallmer’s ‘Black Edition’ (pictured above) features black statement shower channels and grates and a new CeraFloor Duo which can be produced in lengths of up to 2metres. As well as style and elegance, the channels and grates also offer resilience. The black PVD coating that features on the CeraFloor Select and CeraNiveau shower channels was originally developed for heavily loaded parts of sports engines. However, Dallmer has engineered this into its shower solutions to create a durable, long-lasting, easy-to-care-for, and hypoallergenic product.
Dallmer recently presented its innovations at ISH and reported a positive response: “There is simply no substitute for personal interactions in an inspiring trade fair atmosphere,” said Yvonne Dallmer, managing director. “It was clear by how quickly our stand filled up that our visitors were very interested in experiencing our products first-hand again.”
For more information about Dallmer’s new products, please visit dallmer.com.
About Dallmer
Dallmer has been a specialist in drainage systems since 1913. The family business is now in its fourth generation. Founded over 100 years ago as an engraving house at the Arnsberg site, Dallmer developed from a workshop to a premium architecture brand for building drainage. The high-grade product range comprises all kinds of drainage systems, shower channels, waterproofing and seals, urinal systems, fire protection and soundproofing systems, and special drains for yards, cellars, roofs, car parks and balconies. The guiding principle of the family business is: maximum functionality, top-quality materials and exceptional design.
Designed to make installing wall-hung and back-to-wall WCs simple, VitrA has introduced its new range of versatile frames and concealed cisterns, including models for floor fixing, floor and wall fixing, reduced height and back-to-wall installations, with 3/6 litre and 2.5/4 litre cisterns.
The new frames have clever features to make installation easy, quick, and fault-free; these include spring-loaded feet to bear the weight and an adjustable clamp to secure the waste pipe in place – both allowing a one-person installation. Water and electrical connections to allow the installation of shower toilets and electrical flush plates, are included. The conduits can be accessed through the flush plate opening, meaning they can be connected in the future retrospectively without causing damage to the wall.
The new frames include a host of technical USPs. Each comes with a wall connection fixing kit, including fully adjustable fixation brackets and front adjustment mounting bolts. There are three water inlet options – left, top and back – for extra flexibility. Spring-loaded feet for perfect positioning make it easy for one-person installation, as well as the adjustable clamp which holds the waste pipe in position, with 50mm of adjustment. Clean water and wastewater pipes are also fixed together with load-bearing clamps.
The thickness of the frames is 30mm x 40mm for perfect rigidity, and the V stopper and flush plate area have reference points that can leave an imprint on the plasterboard to show where to cut the holes. The frames and cisterns are all subject to rigorous reliability and performance testing, and the 3/6 litre cistern option has WRAS approval.
Margaret Talbot, VitrA marketing manager, explains, “Our new concealed cisterns and frames have been produced to be especially trouble-free and super easy to install in various settings – exactly what installers have been asking for. Ease of installation, quiet in operation and a fast first-fix option.”
VitrA offers a range of mechanical and electronic flush plates for use with the frames. For helpful online advice on installation, VitrA has collaborated with Plumberparts on a series of how-to videos.
RAK-Valet, the luxurious designer collection from RAK Ceramics, has been highly commended in the very first Ideal Home Bathroom Awards.
Judges of the Modern Bathroom Range category were so impressed with the high calibre of entries that runners-up were also chosen alongside the winner, with RAK Ceramics standing out.
Launched by the leading consumer interiors title this year to celebrate excellence in British bathroom design, the award winners will be announced in the June issue of Ideal Home. The Modern Bathroom Range category focuses on contemporary, trend-led design at its best, with RAK-Valet capturing this perfectly.
Created for RAK Ceramics by renowned French designer Patrick Norguet, RAK-Valet is a stunning bathroom range that gives a new perspective on bathroom design.
The RAK-Valet washbasin collection is composed of functional elements – available in matt and glossy finishes – that are both practical and highly stylistic. Decorative forms with slender profiles for the washbasins, top-notch stylistic research for the bathtubs, and elongated lines for the toilet bowls.
RAK-Valet is a project designed to meet a need in bathroom design, leaving out any unnecessary shape or detail, with the essentials reduced to their pure, bare form. Perfect for the minimalist, modern bathroom and now Highly Commended by Ideal Home.
Today we hear from the chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, Tom Reynolds, as he outlines the surprising resilience of the home improvement sector and the opportunity this offers
The public’s hunger for home improvement shows a less pronounced decline than might be expected in the current inflationary backdrop. In fact, the private housing repair and maintenance sectors grew by an impressive 5.0% in February, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), being credited to multiple factors, including people choosing to invest in their current properties rather than looking for a new one.
What’s particularly interesting about this trend is how it has continued despite higher living costs, including soaring energy costs and the price of food rising at the fastest rate in 45 years. The annual inflation rate was 10.1% in March 2023, the seventh successive month in double-digits. Still, we are seeing positive figures regarding home improvement spending and intentions.
Indeed, BMA’s research with our partner Opinium Research bears out similar sentiments, with more than a quarter of the UK population (26%) intending to complete a full bathroom refurbishment in the next two years.
Again, this could be driven by a multitude of factors, such as adapting to multigenerational living, adopting more energy and water-efficient products to offset high energy prices and adopting ‘greener’ solutions.
As bathroom spaces remain a top priority for many, designers have the unique opportunity to influence and innovate what we consider an ideal bathing experience. By exploring our changing habits and desires as consumers, they shape the vision of bathrooms in society today – from multi-functional rooms that maximise space to luxury retreats with alluring fixtures.
By combining innovation, technology and sustainability in their bathroom designs, manufacturers are paving the way to transforming UK bathrooms into efficient spaces that use less water and energy. From smart showers connected to apps that enable users to set the ideal temperature and duration of their showering experience; to sensors providing a seamless tap operating process – manufacturers have never been more crucial for creating sustainable and affordable bathrooms than now.
Furthermore, government policy on mandatory water efficiency labelling is intended to push consumers towards choosing greener products even further – making this shift part of an unmissable chance for any designer invested in green solutions.
To revolutionise bathroom efficiency, all stakeholders must work together to ensure water-saving products are utilised correctly. Designers can set the tone by initiating conversations with customers about long-term cost savings and their sustainability impact – underscoring a brighter path forward.
Together we can develop progressive, sustainable bathrooms that make lasting changes environmentally and aesthetically. While the public’s appetite for home improvement remains buoyant despite inflation, it’s an opportunity worth taking.
Shower specialist Aqualisa has extended its popular AQ™ mixer shower collection with three new models in a sleek matt black finish.
The AQ Matt Black showers are available in round or square dual outlet shower columns, or a round bar valve option with adjustable handset.
The Aqualisa AQ series combines includes a maximum water temperature setting, with override button if a hotter shower is desired. Bar valves are engineered from brass and are equipped with safe touch thermostatic technology.
The dual outlet models come with a telescopic column enabling flexible installation, and all include a push-button handset holder. Smooth turn controls for both flow and temperature allow effortless operation, ensuring precise, dependable and safe showering for the whole family.
Available now, the AQ Matt Black range comprises:
AQ Round Bar Valve (AQ75BAR1.MB) – single outlet with adjustable, multi-mode 110mm handset, 1.5m smooth hose (all UK domestic water systems)
AQ Round Shower Column (AQ150BAR2.MB) – dual outlet with 192mm drencher and adjustable, multi-mode 110mm handset, 1.5m smooth hose (high pressure/combi systems)
All AQ showers are supplied with easy-fit wall brackets, facilitating straightforward installation. Both round models include a multi-mode adjustable handset with easy click spray control, delivering further versatility, and all handsets incorporate soft, rub-clean nozzles for quick and simple maintenance.
Providing full peace of mind, the AQ range is Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approved and covered by a five year guarantee on registration. For further details, please visit: www.aqualisa.co.uk
Options, pricing and availability The Aqualisa AQ collection is also available in chrome. For pricing information, or to order the chrome or new matt black models, trade partners can contact their Aqualisa representative or the Aqualisa Customer Support Team on 01959 560020 or 01 864 3363 (Republic of Ireland).
As one of the most versatile and widely specified products from Schlüter-Systems, Schluter-KERDI-BOARD finds applications for both retrofit and new-build installations, with different thicknesses of the extruded polystyrene (XPS) panel providing a stable and waterproof substrate for natural stone and ceramic tiling.
The panels are available in thicknesses of 5, 9, 12.5, 19, 28, 38 and 50mm and are easily installed across existing masonry, concrete, timber stud frames or lightweight metal framing, with panels featuring parallel grooves also available for creating rounded surfaces, such as for seating or curved walls. With all thicknesses available in 1.25 m or 2.6 m lengths, both by 62.5 cm wide, KERDI-BOARD is frequently used to create work-surfaces, breakfast bars, islands and vanities.
A handy guide can be downloaded from the Schlüter-Systems website which can assist both specifiers and tradespeople in picking the right panel for an application. For instance, 12.5 mm is the minimum thickness recommended for use where a stud frame is constructed to 400 mm centres. The largest three thicknesses should be considered for construction purposes, while there are also special L-shaped and U-shaped panels for use as pipe boxing, and prefabricated niches in different sizes – with or without lighting – to create storage within walls.
Both sides of the KERDI-BOARD panels have a waterproof, cement-free reinforcement layer, which offers an ideal surface for standard tile adhesive, either fully embedded or using the dot and dab method. Printed lines aid accurate cutting using a utility knife or power tools.
New research from online bathroom retailer, Victoria Plum, has identified the most popular bathroom decor trends of the year so far, based on the number of mentions on Instagram and uplift in search volume figures during 2023.
The trends have been ranked by search volume uplift, with the initial list selected on the criteria of having more than 1,000 mentions on Instagram and being a predicted trend by experts at the beginning of the year.
Here are the top five bathroom decor trends of 2023 so far…
Textured tiles
Textured tiles saw a 100 per cent uplift in searches (according to Google Trends) from February to March and 7,272 mentions on Instagram.
Many people renovating their bathrooms are clearly looking to move away from plain tiles, which have dominated bathroom decor over the last few years. Textured tiles have proven to be the perfect solution to liven up any bathroom.
Bespoke vanity units
Much like textured tiles, bespoke vanity units had a 100 per cent increase in searches during the same period and 1,604 mentions on Instagram, which is easy to see why.
The customisation element of bathroom decor has become very appealing as people look to maximise the space they have available to them in what can sometimes be one of the smaller rooms of the house.
Clawfoot tubs
Clawfoot tubs have really taken off as a trend recently, with an 87 per cent increase in searches and a huge 74,130 mentions on Instagram proving its popularity. In general, freestanding baths are becoming ever more present in bathroom décor with search terms experiencing a 47 per cent uplift in volume from February to March.
Heated flooring
While heated floors have been around for a long time, the trend is taking off again with 2,000 mentions on Instagram and a 73 per cent increase in searches from February to March 2023. The feature was once seen as a luxury item, but today they have actually been found to be more energy efficient than using radiators, meaning homeowners are now installing them to save on bills.
Gold accents
This trend has seen a 60 per cent increase in searches from March to April and 139,656 mentions on Instagram. It’s easy to see why this trend has taken off as gold accents can be anything from toilet roll holders to towel rails, adding a luxury feel to any bathroom.
Ruth Foster, interior design expert at Victoria Plum commented on the trends saying: “The bathroom is no longer a space of little consideration, style-wise. And, in the interest of avoiding a ‘clinical’ look, consumers want warmth, texture, colour, and unique designs when buying bathroom products.
“The trends identified above demonstrate luxury meeting affordability. For example, while freestanding clawfoot baths and gold accents make a space feel opulent, a trend like heated flooring links more to the cost of living.
“Another bathroom trend that also promotes affordability is focusing on products that help consumers make small changes to their home without breaking the bank, such as replacing a mirror, buying new towels, or incorporating plants.”
