kbb Birmingham, the UK’s premier trade show for kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, returns to the NEC from March 1-4, 2026. The biennial event will host over 320 top brands from 20+ countries, showcasing the latest innovations across 25+ product categories. With more than 17,000 industry professionals expected, kbb Birmingham is the must-attend event for senior decision-makers in residential, retail, design, and contract sectors.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, kbb Birmingham has evolved into the ultimate hub for networking, collaboration, and discovering the latest design trends. This milestone year underscores the show’s role in driving innovation and shaping the future of the KBB industry.

Sam Fisher, Event Director, says: “We’re thrilled to celebrate 40 years of kbb Birmingham. With a dynamic lineup of exhibitors showcasing the best in design, technology, and sustainability, this event is unmissable. Whether you’re a retailer, designer, or installer, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover fresh ideas, connect with peers, and stay ahead of the curve.”

Top Brands and Product Highlights
kbb Birmingham will feature leading kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom brands such as Smeg, Nolte Kitchens UK, Quooker, Aqualisa, Vado, and many more. Expect cutting-edge innovations, from furniture and surfaces to components and appliances. Check out the full exhibitor list online.

New for 2026: The kbb App
The newly launched kbb Birmingham app will enhance the event experience, allowing attendees to pre-book meetings and access all show information on the go. This is the perfect tool for maximising your time and making valuable connections.

Innovation Awards in Partnership with Blum
The kbb Innovation Awards will showcase the most creative and sustainable solutions in the sector. Categories include ‘Best Sustainable Design’, ‘Judges’ Choice’, and the ‘People’s Choice’, voted for by attendees. Shortlisted innovations will be displayed throughout the event, with expert judges including Diane Berry, Andy Davies, and Emma Hedges, among others.

Sustainability at the Forefront: Better Stands Initiative
kbb Birmingham is proud to support the Better Stands initiative, reducing exhibition waste and promoting the use of reusable, cost-efficient materials. This sustainability-driven approach helps exhibitors create impactful stands while minimising environmental impact.

Visit kbb Birmingham 2026
kbb Birmingham 2026 promises to be an unforgettable event. With the best in design, technology, and sustainability all under one roof, it’s the destination for sourcing the latest products, connecting with industry leaders, and discovering the future of kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
To register for your free visitor pass, visit the kbb Birmingham website.

Frontline Bathrooms has announced that it will once again become the exclusive UK distribution partner for bathroom furniture brand Royo, following a strategic review by Roca. The transition will officially take effect in November 2025 and marks the continuation of a longstanding relationship with the brand. 

The move returns the brand to a distributor with extensive experience in handling Royo in the UK market. Frontline previously managed the brand for many years, building familiarity with its product portfolio, operational requirements and showroom support needs.

Under the new arrangement, all Royo stock will be held at Frontline, while ordering will be processed through its sister company, Smiths Briten. With more than 70 vehicles operating nationwide, Frontline will offer improved delivery efficiencies, including next day delivery capabilities across many UK regions.

The company has confirmed that existing commercial terms for current Royo dealers will remain unchanged. Frontline has also signalled its intention to build protected, exclusive retail areas to minimise overlap and strengthen margin security for dealers.

Frontline’s regional sales team is now liaising directly with Roca to coordinate the handover and ensure continuity of service for retailers. Updated regional sales contacts and the latest Royo brochure will be issued to existing partners as part of the transition.

Gareth Sterry, business development manager at Frontline Bathrooms, says: “We are genuinely delighted to be taking Royo back under the Frontline umbrella. This is a brand we know extremely well, having worked closely with it for many years, and that familiarity allows us to step straight back in with the level of insight and operational knowledge that retailers depend on. Our aim is to make this transition seamless, to strengthen availability, and to give partners confidence that the Royo brand will be supported by a distributor with the scale, infrastructure and experience required to grow the brand across the UK.

Having all stock held at Frontline and orders processed through Smiths Briten gives us far greater control of the supply chain, which translates to faster response times, tighter stock management and more predictable service. We also want to reassure existing displaying dealers that their commercial terms will remain exactly as they are. For us, this partnership is about building a stronger long-term platform for Royo, giving showrooms confidence in availability, service, and the stability of the brand. We see genuine potential to elevate the profile of the wider Royo collection and deliver meaningful, sustained value back into the market.”

Jamie Welch, Roca Group UK’s sales director UK & Ireland, adds: “Re-appointing Frontline Bathrooms as our exclusive distribution partner in the UK is a considered step that reflects both our history together and our ambition for the brand. Their infrastructure is already aligned with the requirements of a brand of our scale, and this transition allows us to strengthen the UK market with a distributor who can offer consistency, responsiveness and meaningful on-the-ground support.”

Brassware brand St James England has supported bathroom furniture manufacturer Be Modern with the launch of its new Signature Collection by Atlanta Bathrooms.

The collaboration features a selection of St James’ most distinguished brassware ranges showcased in the dedicated Signature brochure and on the Atlanta show van, which is currently touring the UK. Together, these platforms provide customers and designers with exceptional inspiration for creating luxurious bathroom spaces.

The Herrington range featured St James England brassware collections, chosen to complement the Signature Collection’s high-end aesthetic perfectly. Selected products include key ranges from St James Living and St James Distinction, such as the Denbigh, Abbey, Cranworth, Wallis, and Stratton.

The partnership endorses a shared commitment by both brands to quality, design integrity, and supporting retailers with cohesive, premium product solutions.

Julian Pearson, group commercial director, Be Modern, explained: “We are thrilled to partner with St James brassware for the launch of our Signature Collection by Atlanta Bathrooms. The exceptional quality and design ethos of its Living and Distinction ranges perfectly align with the sophistication and attention to detail that our customers expect from the Atlanta brand. This collaboration allows us to present a complete, luxurious bathroom solution that will inspire our retail partners and their own customers.”

Andy Burton, head of marketing, St James England, added: “Like St James, Be Modern is a well-established and highly respected brand within the industry. We’re delighted to be supporting Be Modern in the launch of its prestigious new furniture range. Both businesses have a shared belief in allowing the products to take centre stage within any bathroom setting”.

For more information on the St James England brassware collections, please visit www.stjamesengland.com, email sales@stjamesengland.com, or call 0121 358 1555.

For details on Be Modern’s new Signature Collection by Atlanta Bathrooms, please visit www.bemodern.com, email info@bemodern.com, or call 0191 455 3571.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS) has released its 2026 Bath Trends Report. Based on a survey of nearly 700 industry experts, the report provides a comprehensive look at current and upcoming trends in residential bathrooms that will have the most significant impact in 2026 and beyond.

According to the report, the bathroom design landscape is currently in a state of flux – the evolution of bathroom technology marks an upcoming shift emerging in the home. As residential tech continues to present more opportunities and innovation, three areas of growth in the bath are standing out: 

• Technology in Design Inspiration: Younger homeowners are turning to AI for design inspiration that integrates smart features, sustainability, and style.
• Technology in Fixtures: Smart home integration is expanding rapidly through intelligent showers, lighting, and energy systems.
• Technology for Wellness: Health-oriented features, stress-reduction tools, and ageing-in-place innovations are becoming mainstream.

Beyond technology, personalised tastes and lifestyles continue to be the driving force behind colour, style, and material selection, as well as storage configurations and bath layout.

“Bath design is becoming deeply personal,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “Beyond considerations like resale value, designers are focusing on how spaces support a homeowner’s individual rituals, preferences, and self-care routines. This perspective encourages creativity, niche trends, and designs that truly reflect how people live today.”

The full report is available at NKBA.org with free access for NKBA members. Key findings include:

Colours & Materials: What’s In, What’s Out

• Light Neutrals Win: In near total agreement, 96% of respondents identified neutrals as the most popular bath colours, with off-white (58%), light brown/tan (54%), and white (40%) earning the dominant response ahead of dark brown (30%), black (18%), and dark gray/slate (18%). 
• Shades of Green: Brown-based greens – sage (64%) and olive (43%) – are expected to be popular choices, while bolder hues – teal/turquoise (19%) and emerald/juniper (16%) – received far less attention. 
• Timeless Design: Transitional/timeless design tops the list, with 70% of respondents naming it as a popular style in the next three years.
• Removing Fine Lines: Homeowners are looking for smaller or no grout lines on the floor, according to 89% of those surveyed. Additionally, 91% agree that durability and practicality to minimise upkeep are the top considerations for choosing a flooring material, supporting 80% who believe large-format flooring will be the most popular over the next three years.
• Natural Materials: Wood-faced vanities (62%) have overtaken painted (53%) in popularity as biophilic design continues to be prioritised in the bath.
• Polished Is Out: For taps, matte (54%), brushed (51%), and satin (46%) finishes were more popular than polished (39%), playing into organic, natural design cues.

A Growing Footprint

The overall bathroom footprint will increase to accommodate wellness-centred spaces, universal design considerations, and efficient storage solutions, according to 72% of respondents.

Hospitality Inspiration for Wellness

Tying bath design to a homeowner’s hotel or resort experience is expected to be a popular practice, according to 77% of respondents, supporting the unification of wellness, technology, and sustainability into a singular, cohesive design philosophy. This isn’t about one individual feature like a smart toilet (though 51% agree smart toilets will rise in popularity over the next three years) or a new tile colour (patterned and textured tiles are gaining prominence, according to 66%). Instead, it’s a fundamental shift in how we perceive and use the primary bathroom. It’s moving from a purely utilitarian space to a sanctuary dedicated to physical and mental well-being, while also being smart and environmentally conscious.

Seeing the Light

Lighting quality is a top consideration in bathroom design, according to 91% of respondents. In practice, this means prioritising layers and levels of lighting: 

• Task Lighting: 92% agree that task lighting should always be included in the primary bath
• Mood Lighting: 51% predict that mood lighting in the shower will gain prominence
• Time-of-Day Lighting: 80% include nighttime-specific lighting, and 88% list natural lighting as a top priority
• Aesthetic Lighting: 47% favour integrated lighting in mirrors over the next three years 

Custom Bathroom Solutions

On a larger scale, smart technology is being integrated to achieve a more personalised daily ritual and as a tool to improve overall well-being. On a simpler level, custom storage solutions with configurable modules to simplify life are being thoughtfully integrated into bath vanity and cabinetry design. Item-specific storage includes built-in storage for hair tools, makeup, and medications, electrical integration, custom dividers and organisers to maximise drawer efficiency, and charging stations for electronic devices within vanity cabinetry.

Accessibility is Elegant

Ageing-in-place design elements have become so mainstream that, in addition to functionality, these universal design fixtures also prioritise beauty. Grab bars, curbless showers, shower benches, barrier-free shower entries, and wider doors are subtle yet crucial safety features that make a primary bath feel more luxurious and elevated. Of those surveyed, 32% agree that ageing-in-place is now a mainstream trend; 48% agree that it’s on its way to becoming one.