Bathroom manufacturer VitrA made its return to Kbb Birmingham 2024 this week and used the event to showcase its sanitaryware, brassware and bathroom furniture designs.
Vitra’s diverse portfolio includes popular lines like Sento, Valarte, and Root ranges, along with VitrA tiles and a host of new launches. A contemporary new addition is the M-Line range of furniture and washbasins. Drawing inspiration from urban aesthetics, the simple designs integrate various forms, colours, and sizes to create versatile bathroom spaces.
M-Line Collection
The M-Line Collection offers two styles: M-Line Edge and M-Line Pure. M-Line Edge features distinctive detailing and includes washbasin, tall, and mirror cabinets in walnut, black oak, and light oak finishes. Its mirrored cabinets include built-in sensor lights and storage options.
M-Line Pure is available in gloss white, matt light grey, and matt graphic. Embodying a relaxed design approach, the range comprises washbasin cabinets and tall cabinets and is available in white ceramic high gloss. A choice of sizes and configurations means there is something for everyone, whether traditional, natural or contemporary.
Recycled washbasin
VitrA also revealed the world’s first 100% recycled ceramic washbasin. Manufactured from 100% recycled materials, the basins deliver a timely solution for briefs where sustainability is a key driver. Available in five different shapes, each has soft, curved edges in a matt clay beige finish to suit both commercial and residential spaces.
Suit Tap Collection
VitrA’s Suit Tap Collection offers bathroom fixtures in an exquisite colour palette designed to harmonize with any aesthetic. Taps and thermostatic showers are available with a side or top handle in chrome, glossy black, soft gold, and soft copper.
ViBox & frames
Designed with the installer in mind, VitrA’s V-Box and a new range of frames are easy-to-install behind-the-wall solutions. Simpler, smarter and flexible, V-Box is the ultimate concealed solution for built-in shower mixers. VitrA’s versatile frames and concealed cisterns make installing wall-hung and back-to-wall WCs simpler.
VitrA Tiles
VitrA Tiles showcased its latest products, colors, and trends in a dedicated space, offering a comprehensive ‘total-solution’ response.
Prior to the event, Steve Breen, managing director at VitrA, said: “We can’t wait for this year’s show, as we’ve got an amazing story to tell in terms of our new products and how we are working closer than ever with our independent retailers. Our stand has something for everyone. In addition to discovering our latest product launches, visitors can explore a wide number of roomsets, with a huge range of products expertly curated to meet a wide range of design choices. We also have an area dedicated to the more specific needs of the installer and housebuilder.”
Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
The UK hordes more clutter than the rest of Europe, using 37.6 million sq ft of storage space (the equivalent of 268,500 removal vans).* Whilst we may struggle to keep our homes clutter-free, the bathroom remains a high priority when creating a relaxing space; despite this, toiletries and cosmetics make up 53 per cent of bathroom clutter.
Architects and designers are grappling with the need to create space for much-loved possessions against a backdrop of shrinking bathroom dimensions. This means there is often very little wiggle room for additional design elements that may cause the visual disorder. Bathroom furniture delivers a one-stop, compact design solution.
Yiota Toumba, senior designer at Ideal Standard, agrees, “In the ever-evolving world of interior design, space-saving solutions have become increasingly vital, and the bathroom is no different. With the progressive reduction in bathroom sizes we’ve seen in new builds and refurbishments, additional storage is key in helping keep surfaces clutter-free.”
Creating space with wall-mounted vanity units and integral basins frees up floor space and delivers storage options. Pictured top, Ideal Standard’s i.life Collection includes various furniture options in seven stylish finishes, such as sand beige matt, carbon grey matt and natural oak, as well as chrome and silk black handles to match your brassware. The i.life S is specifically designed to fit into smaller spaces to take up as little floor space as possible but still provide reasonable levels of functionality.
Yiota Toumba explains, “With these spaces getting smaller and smaller, we’ve seen more and more consumers opt for these options as they look to get the most out of their bathroom both aesthetically and functionally.”
Also perfect for smaller bathrooms is the new Oak Venosa range from Bathrooms to Love by distributor PJH (pictured above). This month, the space-saving range has been extended with a new colourway in an Oak-effect finish. It is ideal for compact bathrooms with a small footprint of just 1100mm in width.
Live a colourful life
The colour and texture revival is in full swing, and we are experiencing some well-needed drama emerging from a blatant contrast of styles. Bold and bright colour schemes are reminiscent of the 1980s and are popular with boomers and Gen X, as are the mid-century styles of the 1950s and 60s. The contrast created by deep textures set against high gloss, vibrant hues married to gentle light shades, and elegant fixtures and fittings keeps this eye-catching trend at the forefront.
Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, comments, “2024’s colour palette will be the most expansive yet dramatic blues, immersive greens, vibrant terracottas and luxurious neutrals, and everything in-between. But it’s not just the variety but the application, colour groupings, glosses mixed with matts, layering and contrast groupings.
“Furniture will start to show its softer, more elegant side, incorporating rounder edges and sophisticated proportions. Fixture and fittings will also play a key part in making the whole concept work, with delicately proportioned handles, legs, and complementary brassware.”
Utopia’s Qube Modular is now available in a choice of Qube Glide, the original handleless door style, and the new Qube Edge, a stunning alternative style with the option for a top-mounted handle. The full collection offers seven on-trend finishes, including deep Indigo Blue, verdant Wild Green, and two sophisticated matt finishes – Matt White and Matt Grey, joining White Gloss and two textured finishes, Anthracite Strata and Sorrento Walnut. The range is soon to be enhanced with a Fitted and Freestanding Fitted Collection.
A family affair
Reducing conflict in the morning, keeping the bathroom clutter-free and ensuring bathroom spaces stay clean for as long as possible are all high priorities for the hard-working family bathroom.
Catering to all needs, HiB’s new Veles range addresses the challenges of both smaller spaces and multi-generational bathrooms. For example, the Veles Compact range boasts remarkable quality and finish in a reduced depth. On the other hand, the Veles Standard range caters to larger dimensions, making it ideal for family bathrooms where ample storage is essential. The range also incorporates the latest styling in matte finishes, which not only lend a sophisticated touch but also mitigate fingerprint marks.
Lighten up
Lighting no longer simply plays a practical role; it is now a significant consideration in bathroom design. Coupling customisable mood lighting with storage marries aesthetics and function in a way that transforms bathroom spaces.
Last year, Duravit launched Vitrium, by Christian Werner. The space-saving range includes washbasins and furniture manufactured with the newly developed DuroCast UltraResist material. As well as delivering ample storage, the reduced furniture depth with the projecting above-counter basin makes the design ideal for compact bathrooms.
Compassionate lighting is incorporated into the design via the console vanity unit. It has a fine metal frame and a choice of fronts made from backlit glass, wood, or various décor finishes.
Christian comments, “The starting point for this design concept was a rigorous interrogation of the habits we take for granted. With Vitrium, I sought to redefine the design of the bathroom and the associated routines. As well as the kitchen and living room, for me, the bathroom, too, is a place of comfort and refuge,” said Christian Werner.
“The basic design idea for the framed fronts and transparency of the furniture has been realised exactly as I imagined. Timelessly modern and unadorned – that’s the look I wanted for my Vitrium concept,” said Christian Werner.
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You can see more on our site if you enjoyed this Bathroom Review feature. Alternatively, if Kitchens are your thing, please visit our sister site, Kitchens Review
Bathrooms to Love from distributor PJH has extended its popular Venosa space-saving modular furniture family with the addition of a new colourway in an Oak-effect finish.
A floor-standing collection, the new Oak Venosa range is perfect for compact bathrooms where its small footprint of just 1100mm in width is the solution. The introduction of this Oak grain finish enhances the range’s versatility, satisfying the enduring demand for wood-effect furniture in harmony with the evolving trend for nature-inspired materials and textures in the bathroom.
Featuring an intelligently crafted L-shaped unit, featuring a streamlined one-piece resin basin and worktop coupled with a basin and WC furniture pack, this unit will fit into the smallest of bathrooms or ensuites. Measuring in at W1100 x H860 x D395/210mm, a two-door cabinet sits beneath the basin, teamed with a connected housing area for a concealed cistern and back-to-wall WC. Left or right-handed options are available, as is a choice of chrome or matt black handles as well as coordinating push button and overflow ring.
Extending the compact storage space yet further is a matching two-door 350mm Tall Unit in oak. As illustrated, Oak Venosa looks stunning when combined with contrasting matt black handles, brassware, shower, quadrant enclosure, mirror and ladder radiator – all available from the Bathrooms to Love Collection.
Available from stock and supported with Next Day Delivery (to 93% of UK postcodes), including the opportunity to deliver to store or home, the new Oak Venosafrom Bathrooms to Love is now available to order via PJH’s class-leading Partners Portal™ e-commerce website.
Style, flexibility, quality and the assurance of a speedy despatch service within 48 hours are some of the key features of Utopia’s new Qube Collection of bathroom furniture, soon to be enhanced with a Fitted and Freestanding Fitted Collection as well as the original modular wall mounted and freestanding options launched in June 2023.
Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, comments, “New Qube presents the retailer and consumer with endless opportunities to create a completely unique combination from the multitude of beautifully co-ordinating elements available. With the addition of a Fitted and Freestanding Fitted Collection, which will be available this Spring, there really is a Qube style for everyone.”
Consumer and retailer feedback, coupled with current colour and style trends, has shaped the range refresh, which features new on-trend colours with complementary accent handles and trims, in addition to the new fitted and freestanding fitted options. Added to this is a simplified ordering system and the brand new 48-hour despatch service option, available to the retailer at no extra charge.
Qube Modular is now available in a choice of Qube Glide, the original handleless door style, and new Qube Edge, a stunning alternative style with the option for a top mounted handle.
The full collection offers seven on-trend finishes, including deep Indigo Blue and verdant Wild Green reflecting current trends in interior design for bold colours and two sophisticated matt finishes – Matt White and Matt Grey, joining White Gloss and two textured finishes, Anthracite Strata and Sorrento Walnut. As usual with Utopia, consumer samples of all finishes are available free of charge.
Also extended is the choice of worktops to complement Qube furniture. The existing 22mm laminate range has been extended further with three new options and a 12mm compact laminate range of exceptionally realistic natural stone effects has been added to complement the Modular Collection.
Bathroom design company Acquabella is embracing the Pantone Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, by introducing new customization options for its bathroom solutions. The adoption of this colour reflects Acquabella’s commitment to staying at the forefront of new design trends.
This soft peach tone is designed to express closeness and connection, transforming spaces into warm and relaxed environments. Peach Fuzz has the ability to create inviting spaces, paying tribute to the natural while maintaining elegance. Whether in shower trays, countertops, basins, or wall coverings, Peach Fuzz is the perfect choice for adding a touch of colour to your bathroom.
Pantone’s Color of the Year has a significant influence across industries, and the integration of Peach Fuzz into Acquabella’s products will resonate with design professionals and enthusiasts.
Customers can explore new customization options and immerse themselves in a truly unique bathroom experience. The application of this trendy tone in Acquabella’s products provide consumers with the opportunity to integrate the beauty of nature and current trends into their bathroom spaces.
Bathroom product supplier and innovator HiB, has released its bathroom trends for 2024. In an ever-evolving world of design, HiB remains at the forefront by introducing four unique trends, each designed to elevate and bring fresh inspiration to the bathroom.
The first trend, ‘Exhale’, takes inspiration from nature-inspired interior design trends. Departing from last year’s ‘Petrichor,’ Exhale embraces minimalism, mid-century style, and neutral tones without overusing nature in the space. Characterised by stone finishes, rounded shapes and tactile textures, this trend draws inspiration from the laid-back ‘California Casual’ aesthetic, favouring refined simplicity over rustic elements.
Also new this year is the ‘Euphoria’ trend, which blends nostalgia with contemporary design. Arches and curves lead the space, offering a sense of fluidity and movement. Geometric and abstract patterns, along with fluted textures add a contemporary touch, while a muted yet colourful palette connects the design to the organic world, bringing a breath of fresh air to any bathroom.
For those who like edgier styles, the ‘Elements’ trend exhibits a stormy aesthetic, using darker neutrals and cool blues to create a moody yet inviting atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from Wabi Sabi, Minimalism and Brutalism, Elements seamlessly blends nature’s imperfections with refined engineering. The raw and textured feel is achieved through the use of iron and gunmetal brassware, highlighting the beauty in flaws of organic materials.
Last but certainly not least, the ‘Enamour’ trend embraces vintage glamour and art deco, offering an air of quiet, timeless elegance. By blending old and new elements through upcycling, Enamour creates a classic contemporary aesthetic. This trend embodies the philosophy of ‘less is more’, promoting a clutter-free environment and contributing to what
Jasmine Rowe, HiB product designer, said: “The 2024 bathroom trends from HiB showcase our commitment to pushing the boundaries of design while maintaining a strong connection with nature and elegance. These trends are not just about aesthetics, they are about creating immersive, personalised and practical bathroom experiences. We’re confident that we will see these trends used strongly in designs and be a key steer in bathroom styles throughout 2024. “
HiB’s wide range of bathroom mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories are perfectly suited to bring these trends to life, offering a design that complements each theme. To explore the full Trends Guide and to gain even more bathroom interior design inspiration, visit https://bit.ly/3vtzk3f
Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
According to new research released this week by Readly, one in ten Brits report using smart home technology every hour of their day. The latest stats indicate a wholesale shift towards a connected home lifestyle, with a third (37 per cent) of UK households owning at least one smart home device to manage tasks such as security, lighting and heating, and kitchen appliances.
Unsurprisingly, the home technology industry is moving apace when it comes to new, innovative smart design. Consumers are keen to save water and energy whilst personalising interior spaces by integrating music and lighting into every room. This opens up opportunities for bathroom manufacturers.
Lee Robinson, product manager for residential fittings at Ideal Standard agrees, “Bathroom trends are continuously evolving and when it comes to today’s ‘smart bathrooms’, that’s no different. End-users are increasingly looking to technology to help make their bathroom space work harder for them.”
Statement lighting
Lighting is no longer simply a practicality, and the trend for customisable mood lighting is emerging as a key consideration when designing a bathroom. In 2024, we expect to see an increase in innovative lighting displays that interact with the bathroom design to deliver on-trend accent lighting.
Encompassing the latest LED technology, Schlüter’s LIPROTEC-LED creates restful lighting for relaxing spaces or bright, colourful lighting for busy family bathrooms. Enabled with Bluetooth/wireless receivers, light colours are selected via remote control or Bluetooth-compatible smartphones and tablets. Specifically designed for the bathroom, Schlüter-LIPROTEC-EASY is the company’s simple plug-and-play version, which comes with matching power supply units up to 100W.
Comfort & cleanliness
Shower toilets are increasing in popularity in the UK. A recent report by the European Bidet Seats & Shower Toilets Market study predicts sales of shower toilets will grow by 8% and indicates a cultural change in hygiene habits.
Martin Carroll, managing director for Duravit, agrees and comments, “Shower-toilets in combination with rimless technology are the next big idea for bathrooms. The open design of the WC rim enables an innovative and effective flush even at low water volumes (4.5 litres) and makes for transparent, easy cleaning. Despite not being a traditional market for bidets, shower toilets are growing in popularity in the UK for reasons of age, culture and general enhanced comfort.”
Duravit’s SensoWash® D-Neo lets users configure options via remote control for three shower flow types through a user ID in the seat. Timings for seat heating can also be individually configured. Its attractive price point means it is ideally suited to the requirements of the project sector and price-conscious developers.
Spa-light, spa-bright
Bringing light and colour into the bathroom, Ideal Standard’s Solos shower range features an integrated colour-changing ambient light in the overhead shower, which creates a relaxing atmosphere for the ultimate spa-like shower experience. Users can customise the colour and brightness of the LED to match their mood, thanks to built-in smart technology that integrates with any smart home app, such as Philips Hue or Amazon Echo.
Lee Robinson, product manager for residential fittings at Ideal Standard comments, “Smart technology is key to home evolution, giving people the ability to personalise their environment – from showerheads with integrated ambient LED lighting like our Solos range to wireless speakers and shower settings that can be controlled with the touch of a smartphone button.”
Bathroom brand Laufen is also embracing smart technology and has launched a new version of the Val bath (pictured left) that harnesses the power of light and colour to promote well-being and bring chromotherapy – traditionally offered by hotel spas – into the guest bathroom to enhance the user’s experience.
The redesigned model was recently on display at HIX and has a translucent structure through which an LED panel projects different light settings according to mood.
LAUFEN also presented its new shower system prototype. Designed in collaboration with Andreas Dimitriadis of Platinum Design, the shower system offers the ultimate spa experience to hotel guests thanks to a 12-inch touchscreen display integrated into the shower for the first time.
Taking remote control
Dialling in your requirements is one of the most celebrated aspects of the smart home and brings luxury and convenience to daily life. Aqualisa’s Quartz Smart Showers combines personalised showering with a range of advantages that enhance the user’s experience. For example, users can start their shower remotely using Alexa or Google Assistant or the remote control via Wi-Fi. A clear LED display indicates when the shower is ready – there’s no need to lean in and test the water. A bath fill option allows remote selection of the water temperature and level.
Jessica Clarke, head of channel marketing at Aqualisa, reasons, “With more than 30 million smart meters installed in the UK and nearly half of all adults under 65 owning a smart speaker (Alexa or Google Assistant), the understanding of smart technology and the benefits it brings to our lives is increasing rapidly. There is now an opportunity for bathroom manufacturers and installers to deliver the next generation of connected bathroom solutions to enhance not only showering functionality and performance, but also wellbeing and sustainability.”
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You can see more on our site if you enjoyed this Bathroom Review feature. Alternatively, if Kitchens are your thing, please visit our sister site, Kitchens Review.
Popular restaurants, clubs, and hotels have been blazing the trail: intense colours, furnishings in rich tones, and homely wallpapers all designed to transform bathrooms into places full of character and charm. Creating a complete work of art within your own four walls takes courage and requires a “thread” for a harmonious colour scheme that runs throughout the room.
The guest bathroom as a calling card
Small room – big impact: the guest bathroom is the ideal place to start – you can express your own personality and experiment with colours. Bathroom objects in strong colours can be combined with expressive wall coverings that highlight an individual wall or smaller surface. Wallpapers with graphic designs or botanical patterns, selected tiles, or coloured paints are especially well-suited for such a project. Furnishing items, walls, floors, and decoration should have a consistent colour harmony, be that tone-in-tone or combined with complementary colours. The selection process of individual elements or materials lends itself to experimentation with collages of materials and colours until the optimum and harmonious result is achieved.
Wallpapers as a stage for bathroom objects
Modern wallpapers with graphic designs or botanical patterns are like works of art – they lend rooms a certain vibrancy. Graham & Brown have brought about a veritable renaissance of wallpaper over recent years with their extraordinary and colourful prints.
The renowned British manufacturer of high-quality paint products and wall coverings works with a range of motifs from nature, graphic design, various textures, and luxurious gold accents – and shapes trends as a result.
A wallpapered feature wall sets the stylistic scene for the whole bathroom, which, more often than not, is a small room. Combined with neutral or complementary colours on the other walls, this forms the perfect backdrop for Duravit’s Vitrium bathroom objects with their reserved designs and intense matt colours.
Congo Tail Wallpaper
Furniture, washbasin, toilet, and bathtub in strong colours
The Vitrium colour concept was curated by Christian Werner, who was also responsible for the formal design of the furniture and washbasins. The total of six colours make their presence felt without dominating, and they harmonize perfectly with one another. The colour palette can be divided into three neutral shades Matt Light Gray, Matt Dark Gray, and Matt White as well as the three rich shades Matt Green-Blue, Matt Parlour Blue, and Matt Cinnamon. This broad range of choices ensures that the right tone can be found for any bathroom – from the minimalist designer bathroom through to the modern rustic style.
“Colour also determines how we perceive a product. It’s an emotion because everyone responds to it differently. Multiple colours create a kind of colour resonance, something that ideally creates a harmony. And colours for an interior can never be thought of in isolation, but always in the context of the room,” said Christian Werner.
Faucets and accessories define the look
It’s the small details that give the interior design the finishing touch. Duravit opens up additional design potential in the bathroom with faucets, showerheads, and accessories in five tasteful finishes. A classic chrome surface or thrilling Matt Black or PVD surfaces in Brushed Bronze, Brushed Stainless Steel, and Polished Gold can change the look of the entire bathroom.
About Graham & Brown
Founded by two friends – Harold Graham and Henry Brown, the business has been family-run from its Headquarters in Lancashire, England, since 1946. For over seventy-five years, Graham & Brown has inspired people to think differently about their homes through continuous innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship. Graham & Brown products are created by the in-house design studio and by drawing on an archive of over 50,000 pieces.
Graham & Brown has expanded its award-winning collections to include paint, murals, soft furnishings, bed linen and wall art to offer customers a perfectly partnered, full-room solution.
Four brand new additions to Utopia’s colour palette for this Autumn reflect the ongoing dominant trends for colour and texture in the bathroom.
Joining Utopia’s already extensive collection of door colours available across the Original Fitted, Symmetry, YOU, and Geo ranges are Bay Green, Carbon Black, Dorchester Oak and Richmond Walnut.
Bay Green (above & below) is a rich, sophisticated colour intensified by its silky matt finish, particularly stunning when teamed with woodgrains and brass accessories. At the same time, the dramatic Carbon Black (pictured at the very bottom) is a deep version of charcoal, a statement finish perfectly pitched to complement and accent other decors in the range.
Additionally, in response to tremendous demand for realistic, natural woodgrains, joining the collection is Dorchester Oak (pictured below), a timeless classic with a golden tone and a light grain texture. The addition of a new carcass and 22mm laminate worktop in the same finish allows the consumer the freedom to create a completely harmonious look or to mix and match.
Richmond Walnut (below) offers a bolder, darker option with a striking vertical grain detail, equally at home in a vintage or contemporary setting.
Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, comments, “Anticipating trends in terms of colour and finish is a key part of our product development programme. Our carefully curated collection of colours and finishes is continually evolving so that we can offer our customers a vast portfolio of colours and finishes to choose from plus the option to combine them for a truly personal design scheme.”
To help consumers design their dream bathroom, Utopia offers a free sample service for all finishes and tiles. This, combined with Visualise, Utopia’s online planning tool, allows the consumer to explore all eleven furniture collections, experimenting with colours and combinations in the comfort of their own home until they create their ideal bathroom.
Leading bathroom brand HiB has added a wide range of stunning new products to its existing lineup. A new Veles modular furniture range, stunning basins, the latest elegant mirrors and cabinets, and quality brasswarehave joined its portfolio.
The cornerstone of HiB’s latest launch is the Veles modular furniture range, which it says has been meticulously crafted to offer ample storage, useful sizing and beautiful finishes.
For small spaces, the Veles Compact range offers stunning quality and finish in a reduced depth, while the Veles Standard range offers more storage and larger dimensions ideal for family bathrooms. This new range pairs perfectly with the new Terra basins and countertops. Created from high-quality mineral marble in four finishes, this tactile, durable and stunning basin and countertop combination enhances the complete look, offering an exceptional level of finish.
Along with the introduction of the Terra basin range, HiB has expanded its basin category offering to include a whole host of new options, including the Opia and Dexter vessel basins and Cerys corner wall-mounted basin, allowing customers to choose from a wider variety of designs to suit their desired look. Each basin seamlessly integrates with HiB Novum furniture ranges and other units to provide style and function, transforming daily routines into moments of indulgence.
HiB has also launched a selection of mirrors and cabinets, offering the latest bathroom technology, blending contemporary style with practical solutions. The new Rubin and Alba illuminated mirrors include the latest heat pad technology, covering more than 75% of the mirror’s surface. The feature reduces a greater area of condensation, further enhancing visibility.
HiB has been a pioneer in bathroom products for more than 30 years. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, quality and design, HiB has consistently pushed the boundaries of bathroom aesthetics and functionality. This latest launch is HiB’s biggest yet, demonstrating the company’s desire to bring new and exciting products to the market for customers across the UK, Ireland and the Middle East.
