KBIS 2020: The Latest US Trends in Bathroom Fittings and Fixtures
Mix-and-match finishes and essential oil-infused showers were two standouts at the USA 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
There was plenty to ooh and ahh over at the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), held in Las Vegas, USA, from 21 to 23 January; but when it came to bathrooms, several features and ideas stood out from the rest. How about an essential oil-infused shower experience? Or tapware you can top with interchangeable plates in materials such as walnut, marble and glass? Here are those cool ideas and more, which grabbed attention at the bathroom design industry’s biggest trade fair in North America.
The Eclissi bath collection, also by Rohl, has a mix-and-match component in four finishes: polished chrome, satin nickel, matt black and satin brass. In the sink tapware, for example, the ribbon spout and outer ring of the handle can feature one finish, while the handle’s inner accent piece can be another. The name of the line is inspired by an eclipse (’eclissi’ means ‘eclipse’ in Italian).
In the image shown here, the matt-black spout in the middle is paired with a centre knob of satin brass surrounded by a circular band of matt black. There are 16 possible handle combinations to create.
Find a bathroom supplier in Singapore
In the image shown here, the matt-black spout in the middle is paired with a centre knob of satin brass surrounded by a circular band of matt black. There are 16 possible handle combinations to create.
Find a bathroom supplier in Singapore
Here’s a look at Eclissi wall-mounted tapware in matt black with satin nickel inner knobs.
Is black tapware the hottest trend in bathrooms?
Is black tapware the hottest trend in bathrooms?
Similarly, the MyEdition faucet line by Axor, a Hansgrohe brand, offers plenty of options for customising. Choose one of 17 finishes for the faucet base and handle – polished black chrome, polished red brass or satin black, for example – then choose from one of 21 interchangeable top plates, such as black or white marble, mirrored glass or polished brass. Pictured here is the walnut top plate.
At its booth for the show, Kohler (distributed by KHK in Singapore) introduced its T-handles in a variety of finishes, including white marble, pictured, and black marble. Homeowners also can choose various spout and handle styles to create a personalised combination.
One of Kohler’s bigger announcements, though, was the debut of six new lighting collections. They include 200 products, with plans to double that number by the end of the year. The six collections – Artifacts, Memoirs, Damask, Simpalo, Components and Modern Farm – feature modern, transitional and classic sconces, pendants, flush-mounted fixtures and chandeliers.
The lighting collections allow homeowners to choose from a range of styles in finishes that will match and complement existing Kohler product finishes, such as on sinks and shower fixtures.
The lighting collections allow homeowners to choose from a range of styles in finishes that will match and complement existing Kohler product finishes, such as on sinks and shower fixtures.
American Standard launched its Studio S Collection, shown here, which features soft contemporary styles of vanities, tubs, tapware, toilets and accessories that homeowners can mix and match.
For example, the vanities in the collection can be configured as separate single-sink vanities or combined with a storage insert, pictured here, to create a double-vanity look. The vanities can be wall-mounted or freestanding with the addition of legs.
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For example, the vanities in the collection can be configured as separate single-sink vanities or combined with a storage insert, pictured here, to create a double-vanity look. The vanities can be wall-mounted or freestanding with the addition of legs.
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Here’s a look at the vanities with legs attached, which creates more of a furniture-style look. The collection also includes a 43-centimetre-deep soaking tub and a low-profile tankless toilet, as well as tapware, tub fillers and shower fixtures that can all be coordinated in the same finish and style.
The ultimate future shower experience
Showering has changed dramatically in the last few years as companies introduced fancy new features such as steam, dual shower heads, waterproof speakers and more. But looking at the displays at KBIS, it’s clear that companies have pumped a lot of investment into research and design to develop even more captivating and better-performing features.
Moen, for example, debuted its Aromatherapy hand shower, pictured here, which allows the user to insert pods or capsules of essential oils into the showerhead to infuse the spray with, for example, lavender, tea tree and vanilla oils to create a calming experience. If you want a more energising shower, swap in a capsule filled with essential oils of lemon, Scots pine and cistus (an aromatic flowering shrub). You can adjust a dilution setting to increase or decrease the amount of oil released into the spray.
The fragrance capsules will be made in France and the essential oils curated by master perfumer Jean-Charles Sommerard. “Scents play a powerful role in our mental state and impact our emotional wellbeing, from relaxation to reinvigoration, and each of these fragrances have been specially composed to provide specific sensory experiences,” Sommerard said in a press release from Moen.
“Warm water dilates the pores, allowing you to enjoy the various benefits of the essential oils both on the body and through inhalation. After the shower, you can linger a little longer in the olfactory bubble that will persist in the bathroom to continue this moment of luxury.”
The company says the capsules will not leave scent or oily residue on the tub, hair or skin.
Showering has changed dramatically in the last few years as companies introduced fancy new features such as steam, dual shower heads, waterproof speakers and more. But looking at the displays at KBIS, it’s clear that companies have pumped a lot of investment into research and design to develop even more captivating and better-performing features.
Moen, for example, debuted its Aromatherapy hand shower, pictured here, which allows the user to insert pods or capsules of essential oils into the showerhead to infuse the spray with, for example, lavender, tea tree and vanilla oils to create a calming experience. If you want a more energising shower, swap in a capsule filled with essential oils of lemon, Scots pine and cistus (an aromatic flowering shrub). You can adjust a dilution setting to increase or decrease the amount of oil released into the spray.
The fragrance capsules will be made in France and the essential oils curated by master perfumer Jean-Charles Sommerard. “Scents play a powerful role in our mental state and impact our emotional wellbeing, from relaxation to reinvigoration, and each of these fragrances have been specially composed to provide specific sensory experiences,” Sommerard said in a press release from Moen.
“Warm water dilates the pores, allowing you to enjoy the various benefits of the essential oils both on the body and through inhalation. After the shower, you can linger a little longer in the olfactory bubble that will persist in the bathroom to continue this moment of luxury.”
The company says the capsules will not leave scent or oily residue on the tub, hair or skin.
There was a lot of focus at the show on shower sprays and their ability to conserve water while delivering flexible, quality coverage.
Moen partnered with Nebia, a start-up company, to introduce a showerhead that includes atomisation technology that splits drops of water into tiny droplets so there’s more coverage using less water.
The showerhead, shown here in action, is available for pre-order on Kickstarter and will be more widely available later this year.
Moen partnered with Nebia, a start-up company, to introduce a showerhead that includes atomisation technology that splits drops of water into tiny droplets so there’s more coverage using less water.
The showerhead, shown here in action, is available for pre-order on Kickstarter and will be more widely available later this year.
Kohler’s new Statement shower heads, shown here, use air-induction technology to create large drops while using less water – 30 percent less than the USA federal standard. The showerheads will be available in April in three finishes: polished chrome, brushed nickel and matt black, which is pictured here.
There was also a sense at the show that smart-shower features are getting, well, smarter and easier to use.
Moen’s U by Moen smart-shower display rarely had less than a small crowd gathered around for a demonstration of its features. The idea that you can wake up and say “Good morning” and have your Alexa- or Google
Assistant-connected shower turn on to a precise temperature and spray setting is one that’s becoming increasingly hard to dismiss.
Kohler offers a similar experience through its Konnect line.
Moen’s U by Moen smart-shower display rarely had less than a small crowd gathered around for a demonstration of its features. The idea that you can wake up and say “Good morning” and have your Alexa- or Google
Assistant-connected shower turn on to a precise temperature and spray setting is one that’s becoming increasingly hard to dismiss.
Kohler offers a similar experience through its Konnect line.
Kohler also generated lots of buzz at the show with its updated Bluetooth- and Alexa-enabled showerhead speaker called Moxie, shown here. While Kohler has had a showerhead speaker for a while, the company more recently partnered with speaker maker Harmon Kardon for its newest design – a larger, higher-quality speaker designed to be heard above the white noise of the shower spray.
The speaker base magnetically connects to the shower head and can be removed and taken with you.
The speaker base magnetically connects to the shower head and can be removed and taken with you.
Finally, it seems modular has gone a bit micro. A couple of easy-to-install kit showers and bathrooms were featured at KBIS.
Sterling’s Traverse bath-shower wall kit, seen here, features four subway-tile-patterned wall panels that install with simple tongue-and-groove interlocking joints that don’t require caulking. There’s even a built-in shelf that hides a panel seam.
Sterling’s Traverse bath-shower wall kit, seen here, features four subway-tile-patterned wall panels that install with simple tongue-and-groove interlocking joints that don’t require caulking. There’s even a built-in shelf that hides a panel seam.
Katerra’s Kova bath kit includes all materials, fixtures and finishes to complete a bathroom installation by two people in about four hours. The kit, which is assembled off-site at a warehouse then delivered to the job site, includes a full bathtub with a surround structure, a toilet, and a vanity with a sink, quartz vanity top and tapware. Fasteners, paint, caulk, mirrors and towel racks are also included in the kit.
New bathroom finishes
At the beginning of 2018 we reported that matt black was a finish destined to take off. At KBIS 2020, its popularity was clearly evident. You’d be hard-pressed to find any kitchen or bath company that didn’t offer matt black in its choice of finishes. What will the next ‘it’ finish be? Several companies are wading into the bath water with contenders.
One that stood out was matt white. Several companies featured this clean, crisp, low-lustre finish, which pops against dark sinks and shower walls. It’s a departure from the typical glossy, reflective white surfaces typically seen on faucets, bathtubs and sinks.
Hansgrohe offers this finish in its Rainfinity line, mentioned earlier, as well as in faucets such as the one shown here.
At the beginning of 2018 we reported that matt black was a finish destined to take off. At KBIS 2020, its popularity was clearly evident. You’d be hard-pressed to find any kitchen or bath company that didn’t offer matt black in its choice of finishes. What will the next ‘it’ finish be? Several companies are wading into the bath water with contenders.
One that stood out was matt white. Several companies featured this clean, crisp, low-lustre finish, which pops against dark sinks and shower walls. It’s a departure from the typical glossy, reflective white surfaces typically seen on faucets, bathtubs and sinks.
Hansgrohe offers this finish in its Rainfinity line, mentioned earlier, as well as in faucets such as the one shown here.
Victoria + Albert debuted its Barcelona bathtub in a new matt-white finish, shown here.
Kohler’s new Kallista Argile freestanding tub and matching decorative vessel sink, both designed by Workshop/APD, will be available in matt white.
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Kohler’s new Kallista Argile freestanding tub and matching decorative vessel sink, both designed by Workshop/APD, will be available in matt white.
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But matt white wasn’t the only standout finish. Grohe debuted three new finishes for its Essence collection of kitchen and bath faucets.
Hard Graphite, shown here, is a sophisticated and strong look that pairs nicely with elegant white-toned marble, concrete and light woods.
Hard Graphite, shown here, is a sophisticated and strong look that pairs nicely with elegant white-toned marble, concrete and light woods.
Angular tapware is having a moment
It was hard not to notice the proliferation of square and angular tapware styles at this year’s show. They were everywhere, eclipsing the more traditional curvy, swooping and organic spout shapes.
Axor unveiled its Edge faucet, seen here, created by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud. It’s composed of several cube-like structures created from a diamond-tipped tool that precisely cuts 45-degree angles (an Axor representative at the booth said the machine is so sensitive that nobody can be in the room when it’s cutting because even the slightest movement could affect its precision).
It was hard not to notice the proliferation of square and angular tapware styles at this year’s show. They were everywhere, eclipsing the more traditional curvy, swooping and organic spout shapes.
Axor unveiled its Edge faucet, seen here, created by French designer Jean-Marie Massaud. It’s composed of several cube-like structures created from a diamond-tipped tool that precisely cuts 45-degree angles (an Axor representative at the booth said the machine is so sensitive that nobody can be in the room when it’s cutting because even the slightest movement could affect its precision).
Art Deco-style returns
Several companies decided to usher in the new decade with a cloche-hat tip to the 1920s and Art Deco style.
DXV introduced its Belshire collection, pictured, modelled after the vintage look that celebrates lavish style and fine craftsmanship. The collection includes tapware, fixtures and furniture that can all be customised to create a more personal look. For example, you can choose from high- or low-profile spouts paired with lever, cross or cushion handles in satin brass, platinum nickel, brushed nickel and chrome finishes.
The Carrara marble-topped handmade vanity cabinets come in walnut or oak and feature brass metal bases and detailing.
Several companies decided to usher in the new decade with a cloche-hat tip to the 1920s and Art Deco style.
DXV introduced its Belshire collection, pictured, modelled after the vintage look that celebrates lavish style and fine craftsmanship. The collection includes tapware, fixtures and furniture that can all be customised to create a more personal look. For example, you can choose from high- or low-profile spouts paired with lever, cross or cushion handles in satin brass, platinum nickel, brushed nickel and chrome finishes.
The Carrara marble-topped handmade vanity cabinets come in walnut or oak and feature brass metal bases and detailing.
Similarly, Kohler’s Robern brand launched its first freestanding vanity, also in an Art Deco-inspired style, shown here.
Tell us
Which of these designs would you consider for your bathroom? Tell us your favourites in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see more American design trends? Read up on 8 US Kitchen and Bathroom Trends You Need to Know About
Tell us
Which of these designs would you consider for your bathroom? Tell us your favourites in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see more American design trends? Read up on 8 US Kitchen and Bathroom Trends You Need to Know About
There were a few buzzwords and phrases being tossed around at the big show. Key among them were ‘customisation’, ‘personalisation’ and the ability to ‘mix and match’ styles, finishes and other elements. All of these give homeowners more flexibility in choosing bathroom products and offer the sense of creating a personal design aesthetic.
For example, the Miscelo collection from Rohl offers five laminate inserts, shown here, on tap bases, shower controls and bathtub fillers in three finishes: polished chrome, satin nickel and matt black (’miscelo’ translates to ‘I blend’ or ‘I mix’ in Italian).
The insert looks include timber, natural stone and matt white, which is a finish we saw a lot of at the show and one we’ll return to later in this article.