The Road to KBIS 2020: Bathroom Buzz
Designers talk bathroom trends and show tips
View of the future. Clients want bathrooms that speak to their specific needs and preferences. “I’m hoping to see shower options with pre-settings for water pressure, temperature, radio stations,” says Garrison Hullinger of his eponymous Portland, Oregon, firm. And functions that fade into the background. “People want things to look as clean-lined as possible, with integrated outlets, linear drains, LEDs in mirrors,” says Terri Sears, a kitchen and bath designer in Nashville, Tennessee.
Spotlight on ideas. Based on current industry trends, separate pavilions at KBIS will be dedicated to technology, universal design and lighting. “Those are three areas that play into what people are interested in,” says Suzie Williford, NKBA’s executive vice president of industry relations and chief strategy officer. Sears agrees. “I’d like to see a little grace with aging in place,” she says about options like grab bars and shower benches. “We should be making that realm look as nice as everyone else’s.” Meanwhile, tech can help streamline bathroom style. “Clients want to clear off their counters, and smart mirrors with built-in search engines could help with that,” Hullinger says.
Popular Product Picks: Kendall Blue Bathroom Vanity, Flora Gray Bathroom Vanity, Louella Blue Bathroom Vanity
Spotlight on ideas. Based on current industry trends, separate pavilions at KBIS will be dedicated to technology, universal design and lighting. “Those are three areas that play into what people are interested in,” says Suzie Williford, NKBA’s executive vice president of industry relations and chief strategy officer. Sears agrees. “I’d like to see a little grace with aging in place,” she says about options like grab bars and shower benches. “We should be making that realm look as nice as everyone else’s.” Meanwhile, tech can help streamline bathroom style. “Clients want to clear off their counters, and smart mirrors with built-in search engines could help with that,” Hullinger says.
Popular Product Picks: Kendall Blue Bathroom Vanity, Flora Gray Bathroom Vanity, Louella Blue Bathroom Vanity
Expert input. Companies aren’t just presenting — they’re also listening. “Designers are so connected to the end users; vendors really want to hear what we have to say,” Hullinger says. “When we talk about moving a faucet handle or worrying about slippage, they’re taking notes. So speak up! They’re always looking for people to visit their factories and give feedback.”
Photo-filing tips. Most people take hundreds of pictures at the show. What to do with them all? “Instead of going through a sea of 500-plus photos, I break them down into categories — such as hardware, plumbing, lighting — or by vendor name, so I can reference them,” Sears says. One of Hullinger’s strategies? “If I’m really in love with something, I’ll take a photo of the booth number, vendor logo and object, then I’ll send it to my assistant to put in a folder,” he says.
Photo-filing tips. Most people take hundreds of pictures at the show. What to do with them all? “Instead of going through a sea of 500-plus photos, I break them down into categories — such as hardware, plumbing, lighting — or by vendor name, so I can reference them,” Sears says. One of Hullinger’s strategies? “If I’m really in love with something, I’ll take a photo of the booth number, vendor logo and object, then I’ll send it to my assistant to put in a folder,” he says.
Design dreams. Wish-list items designers hope to see at the show? Sears has a specific request: “If brands could make toilets look better, that would be great,” she says. Hullinger is eyeing new countertop materials. “Everyone is doing undermount sinks, which makes it difficult to use solid-surface porcelain tiles,” he says. “So I’d love to see a new alternative to quartz. There are just so many tariffs on it right now.”
Photo by Melissa M. Mills
Taking a breather. For an occasional break from the bright lights, “my secret is a tea lounge on the twenty-third floor of the Waldorf Astoria,” Hullinger says. “The views are amazing, and you can have tea and crumpets there.” Sears recommends natural escapes like Valley of Fire and the Hoover Dam; this year she hopes to see Red Rock Canyon, a national conservation area 15 miles outside the city. “It looks stunning,” she says. Williford, on the other hand, is all-in, all the time. “I don’t want to miss a minute of it!” she says.
More Popular Product Picks: Kent LED Mirror With Touch Sensor, Alan Round Bathroom Mirror, Alan Rectangle Bathroom Mirror
Taking a breather. For an occasional break from the bright lights, “my secret is a tea lounge on the twenty-third floor of the Waldorf Astoria,” Hullinger says. “The views are amazing, and you can have tea and crumpets there.” Sears recommends natural escapes like Valley of Fire and the Hoover Dam; this year she hopes to see Red Rock Canyon, a national conservation area 15 miles outside the city. “It looks stunning,” she says. Williford, on the other hand, is all-in, all the time. “I don’t want to miss a minute of it!” she says.
More Popular Product Picks: Kent LED Mirror With Touch Sensor, Alan Round Bathroom Mirror, Alan Rectangle Bathroom Mirror
This story is from our Trade Program email series.
Thoughtful aging-in-place shower options. High-tech bathroom mirrors. Innovative countertop surfaces to compete with quartz. Sound appealing? Stay current and discover the newest trends at KBIS in Las Vegas this year. What appears on the show floor is sure to appear in showrooms before long — and to be what clients clamor for their own bathrooms.