Furniture Flair

The bath balances two identities within the modern home: a hub of practical daily activity, and a quiet retreat.

“Bathrooms are growing in size, trending toward a tranquil spa environment and an ever-expanding variety of uses,” says Jeff Ptacek, CKD, product manager for Sioux Falls, SD-based StarMark Cabinetry. “Add to the mix that customers want something unique – a reflection of their personal style – and the result is the growth of nontraditional storage options.”

Manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News report this multidirectional shift in bath vanity design and storage options is partly due to the changing nature of how the home is viewed as a more permanent asset than it was a few years ago.

“The economy is a factor,” adds Steve Wilcox, director of product development and marketing for Cerritos, CA-based Sagehill Designs. “There’s always going to be a common need for innovative products that will get the attention of our sales force, wholesale buyers, and ultimately, the end consumer. But the x-factor is that these products also need to be considered a value at whatever price-point. This is no easy task, especially when you consider the economic environment. We foresee a more conservative environment for the near future and we see this affecting styling trends, as well.”

A home’s resale value is not the goal as it may have been in previous years; custom solutions rise to fit changing circumstances and the specific tastes of the homeowner, manufacturers note.

“The current trend is toward predominantly furniture-styled pieces in a definitive thematic context. Customers seem to want to achieve specific design themes in their bathrooms, as opposed to previous trends that were a bit more neutral in overall design aesthetic,” says Chris Stookey, director of engineering and product management for Liberty Lake, WA-based Huntwood Industries.

Custom is king, agrees Eric Joseph, marketing manager for Newark, CA-based Ronbow Bath Furnishings. “A customer always wants something that is specifically for their bathroom, and that is a tough requirement to meet. We make sure most of our bath furnishings are modular, meaning you can use multiple pieces to achieve the size and/or style you are looking for. Providing as many options as possible is key.”

Sandra Luttchens-Van Allen, director of training and communication for Jasper, IN-based MasterBrand Cabinets notes, “There has still been a call for personalization and customization this year, however we’re seeing a more ‘back to the basics’ approach – products made to last that blend with existing décor.”

Style Savvy

Manufacturers surveyed note that past trends such as cleaner lines, smarter, more efficient storage and the rise of vanities-as-furniture has continued.

“This year’s trends toward bathroom cabinetry seem to be a mix of contemporary and traditional. We like to call it ‘Neo-Classical,’ which is a traditional cabinet with some contemporary features,” notes Joseph. “Neo-Classical is for those who don’t want the radical contemporary design but want a step up from standard traditional design.”

Wilcox notes that the current market is keeping many companies in closer touch with the consumers’ realistic needs and wants.

“Our styles are more traditional, but there is a common theme of casualness in whatever specific style the customer chooses,” he says. “Our contemporary styles also have this casual theme. We are not taking any extreme positions regarding style, but rather providing thoughtful product designs that reflect the way consumers are living at the moment.

Transitional – the flexible style that bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary – has seen a strong upward shift.

“Transitional furniture style is still leading the market for us,” notes James Lin, president of Buena Park, CA-based Fairmont Designs’ bath division.