Bathroom Design
6 Trends in Bathroom Design From Europe
Manufacturers at the international Idéobain show featured products focused on sustainability, color and timeless design
Idéobain, an international event showcasing global solutions for the bathroom, was held recently as part of the Mondial du Bâtiment building trade fair in Paris. Houzz attended the Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 event and took stock of current and future trends. Here are the major themes we saw, from environmental issues to accessibility and timeless design.
Then comes the delicate mission for manufacturers to find the perfect balance between comfort and water consumption management so that savings have the least possible impact on well-being in the bathroom. French brand Ilya has developed a cyclic shower (pictured), which won a prize at the Innovation Awards of the Mondial du Bâtiment. The system collects 1.3 gallons of new water, which is then recovered, filtered, disinfected and maintained at temperature for an infinite duration. It’s a solution that allows up to 70% savings on water and energy in the shower.
In a distant projection, Hansgrohe has also imagined the bathroom of the future, in which the pH of the water would be higher to increase its rinsing properties and prompt less consumption. It includes a system for recovering grey water from the home to power the toilet flush.
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In a distant projection, Hansgrohe has also imagined the bathroom of the future, in which the pH of the water would be higher to increase its rinsing properties and prompt less consumption. It includes a system for recovering grey water from the home to power the toilet flush.
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Energy savings and CO2 emissions reduction. Closely linked to the issue of water consumption, the energy savings needed to heat the bathroom today is another key topic. With its CoolStart technology, for example, Hansgrohe makes it possible to start with cold water. Thus, when the mixer handle is in the central position, no hot water is added to the flow as is often the case with standard models, limiting the energy consumption of the bathroom and therefore CO2 emissions.
Limiting greenhouse gas emissions also involves a wise choice of materials, many of which consume energy during production. On this subject, French brand Gwilen was at the show promoting its wall and floor tiles (pictured), as well as its sinks, countertops, trays and small objects (soap dishes, toothbrush glasses, light fixtures) for the bathroom. Made from 100% minerals, without resin and petrochemicals, they also contribute to creating healthy interiors without VOCs.
Limiting greenhouse gas emissions also involves a wise choice of materials, many of which consume energy during production. On this subject, French brand Gwilen was at the show promoting its wall and floor tiles (pictured), as well as its sinks, countertops, trays and small objects (soap dishes, toothbrush glasses, light fixtures) for the bathroom. Made from 100% minerals, without resin and petrochemicals, they also contribute to creating healthy interiors without VOCs.
2. More Color in the Bathroom
At a round table on the role played by interior designers in bathroom renovations, Nicolas Legros, marketing manager at Kinedo, said, “The bathroom is increasingly decorative. The colors that are currently developing are pastel, flashy and pop shades.” Manufacturer Kinewall Design offers more than 70 wall panel designs for bathroom remodels and new builds.
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At a round table on the role played by interior designers in bathroom renovations, Nicolas Legros, marketing manager at Kinedo, said, “The bathroom is increasingly decorative. The colors that are currently developing are pastel, flashy and pop shades.” Manufacturer Kinewall Design offers more than 70 wall panel designs for bathroom remodels and new builds.
See the Bathroom Features Homeowners Want
Lavo 2.0 in Matte Sage Gray from Burgbad France SAS
3. Bathroom Sustainability
While color is increasingly present in bathroom collections, interior designers point out the importance of creating timeless designs in these rooms to limit the need for renovation and therefore the consumption of new resources in the future.
“The main need today is to create timeless bathrooms, which customers will not tire of in the years to come,” said Axèle Barege, during the round table. Her colleague Yves Pollet added: “Designing a bathroom sustainably is a way of respecting the budget of customers, who will not have to redo the room in two years.”
Sustainability also means ensuring that the products used are guaranteed for as long as possible, and that the spare parts needed for repairs are readily available. Geberit was quick to point out its lifetime guarantee for its ceramics and 50-year spare parts guarantee for its support frames.
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3. Bathroom Sustainability
While color is increasingly present in bathroom collections, interior designers point out the importance of creating timeless designs in these rooms to limit the need for renovation and therefore the consumption of new resources in the future.
“The main need today is to create timeless bathrooms, which customers will not tire of in the years to come,” said Axèle Barege, during the round table. Her colleague Yves Pollet added: “Designing a bathroom sustainably is a way of respecting the budget of customers, who will not have to redo the room in two years.”
Sustainability also means ensuring that the products used are guaranteed for as long as possible, and that the spare parts needed for repairs are readily available. Geberit was quick to point out its lifetime guarantee for its ceramics and 50-year spare parts guarantee for its support frames.
Shop for bathroom vanities
iCon 4 from Geberit
4. Accessibility in the Bathroom
The aging of the population is another current concern for bathroom professionals, as these rooms are among the most difficult to make inclusive. Since January, the French government has set up a financial assistance program to support homeowners and caregivers wishing to adapt the bathroom for aging and disability.
“We need to start thinking today about bathroom accessibility,” said interior designer Pollet. “This could involve integrating a bench in the shower at the time of renovation, or by leaving space for the future installation of prevention bars.”
4. Accessibility in the Bathroom
The aging of the population is another current concern for bathroom professionals, as these rooms are among the most difficult to make inclusive. Since January, the French government has set up a financial assistance program to support homeowners and caregivers wishing to adapt the bathroom for aging and disability.
“We need to start thinking today about bathroom accessibility,” said interior designer Pollet. “This could involve integrating a bench in the shower at the time of renovation, or by leaving space for the future installation of prevention bars.”
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Geberit from Acanto
5. Space Issues
“As an interior designer, we mainly work in bathrooms with a surface area of between [43 square feet and 54 square feet],” Pollet said. “This means we have to integrate all the elements necessary for bathroom comfort, while respecting the regulations and technical constraints of these rooms. We also have to ensure that the new layout doesn’t create clutter, is durable and easy to maintain.” Space-saving solutions for the bathroom, such as built-in furniture and faucets, are therefore being developed to meet this need for optimization.
To this end, in addition to the modular solutions in the Acanto collection, Geberit offers a slim sink. With a depth of 16 inches and behind-the-wall technology (CleanDrain drain), Geberit One sinks save space in small bathrooms.
11 Big-Picture Bathroom Remodeling Trends
5. Space Issues
“As an interior designer, we mainly work in bathrooms with a surface area of between [43 square feet and 54 square feet],” Pollet said. “This means we have to integrate all the elements necessary for bathroom comfort, while respecting the regulations and technical constraints of these rooms. We also have to ensure that the new layout doesn’t create clutter, is durable and easy to maintain.” Space-saving solutions for the bathroom, such as built-in furniture and faucets, are therefore being developed to meet this need for optimization.
To this end, in addition to the modular solutions in the Acanto collection, Geberit offers a slim sink. With a depth of 16 inches and behind-the-wall technology (CleanDrain drain), Geberit One sinks save space in small bathrooms.
11 Big-Picture Bathroom Remodeling Trends
Duravit from D-Code
6. Second Bathrooms
Among the other major trends expressed by the experts at Idéobain, is the multiplication of bathrooms and toilets in homes. “The desire to have a second bathroom is increasingly important,” noted Legros, marketing manager at Kinedo. His colleague Guillaume Leurent, marketing and product director at Geberit France, cited the results of a study conducted by the manufacturer. “Eight out of 10 French people have a separate toilet area, and nine out of 10 would like to have one. “ Thus, the creation of a second water point dedicated to the toilet in homes is increasingly requested by owners, who are no longer satisfied with just one bathroom for the whole family.
6. Second Bathrooms
Among the other major trends expressed by the experts at Idéobain, is the multiplication of bathrooms and toilets in homes. “The desire to have a second bathroom is increasingly important,” noted Legros, marketing manager at Kinedo. His colleague Guillaume Leurent, marketing and product director at Geberit France, cited the results of a study conducted by the manufacturer. “Eight out of 10 French people have a separate toilet area, and nine out of 10 would like to have one. “ Thus, the creation of a second water point dedicated to the toilet in homes is increasingly requested by owners, who are no longer satisfied with just one bathroom for the whole family.
1. Water-Wise and Energy-Efficient
Water savings. An individual needs 13 gallons of water per day to live decently and 26 gallons to live comfortably, according to the World Health Organization. In France, the average daily consumption per person is 39 gallons of water, 39% of which comes from use of the bathroom. It is therefore not surprising that manufacturers are looking to step up their work to develop more water-efficient products.
Hansgrohe’s EcoSmart technology is a good example of this since injecting air into the water reduces the flow rate of showers and mixers. The manufacturer promises a 60% water savings in the shower, compared with a standard flow rate.
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