Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2018 - 14

Trends

The Home Refuge

To d a y 's s h o w e r s e m b r a c e m i n i m a l i s m ,
customization and wellness features

HEN IT COMES TO THE

BATHROOM, homeowners are leaning away from
utilitarian spaces and are
instead looking to their
spas for inspiration.
"The bathroom has evolved into a personal
space in the home and an oasis from the world
outside, where one can refresh and relax," said
David Hance, the founder of Crosswater London. "I think more than ever, customers want to
tailor their shower experience in particular to their
unique preferences."
For a culture frazzled by busy schedules and an
influx of technology, the importance of having a
private sanctuary is essential. This does not mean
that technology itself - and the newest innovations in plumbing - have no part in the shower.
Instead, consumers are finding that features like
customizable controls and digital panels, steam
technology, wellness therapies and multiple shower components - often with sustainable qualities
- are worth the upgrade.

SEEKING WELL-BEING

"An increased focus on health in the past few
years has led to demand for spa-like fixtures for
the bath," said Derek Taylor, product manager for
showering products for Hansgrohe USA. "The
shower is one of the few relaxing and calm moments in a person's day. Consumers are realizing
this and investing in bathrooms and showers that
contribute to overall wellness."

ABOVE Adding steam to a

shower requires a steam
generator, a shower seat and
a steamhead, such as the
MRSTEAM Linear SteamHead.
The intuitive MrSteam iSteam3
control also gives users
maximum personalization features with such amenities as
chromatherapy, aromatherapy
and music therapy.
MIDDLE RIGHT HydroDrench

According to the American Psychological Association's most recent "Stress in America" report,
Americans today are more likely to feel symptoms of stress, including anxiety, anger and fatigue.
Older adults expressed a higher level of stress than
in the past, while millennials continue to have the
highest reported levels. Regional differences in
stress levels were virtually nonexistent; people living in cities, suburbs and rural areas are all feeling
the pressure.
Fortunately, Americans are learning how to
combat their daily stress and pay more attention
to health advice. The Mayo Clinic recommends
having a healthy balance of relaxation daily to
experience the benefits, which include lowered
blood pressure, improved digestion and sleep quality, increased blood flow and lower fatigue.
For this stressed populace, taking a shower is
often the only time they spend separated from
the constant stream of emails, news and social
media. It can be a quiet, meditative experience at
the end of the day or an invigorating one at the
start. Envisioning this space as a set-apart place
for relaxation - much like at a professional spa - is
growing in appeal.
"Consumers are spending money on what matters to them, and what matters is their health,"said
Martha Orellana, vice president of sales and marketing at MrSteam."Creating a personal wellness
center in the bathroom is becoming a priority."
LESS IS MORE

To create the simplicity and calm they are looking
for, consumers are drawing toward the clean lines
and no-fuss minimalism style.

Technology from PFISTER
uses innovative spray nozzles
to create bigger water droplets
for a drenching shower experience. The intentionally placed
nozzles offer a concentrated
spray and great pressure that
leave users feeling refreshed
and revitalized.
RIGHT JACUZZI LUXURY BATH

has expanded its offering of
Jacuzzi Catalina shower bases
to include 2-in.-threshold
sizes and seated shower
bases. Available in center- and
end-drain configurations, as
well as seated end-drain pans
and ranging from 2 inches to
5.38-in. thresholds, this collection offers a variety of click-fit,
solid surface drain covers and
drain caps.

BY ERINN LOUCKS

Kitchen & Bath Business / OCTOBER 2018 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)

http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.KBIS.com

Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - October 2018