It’s an exciting time to be involved in bath and kitchen design.  Once thought to be the utilitarian rooms in the home, today, both bathrooms and kitchens offer a signature expression of each homeowner’s lifestyle. Whether you have small or large spaces, there are trending products that can actually change the way you live.  And, they can change the way you feel about the place you call home.

“There are so many wonderful new products to consider when you are remodeling or building a new home today,” said Jim Henderson, showroom sales manager for Frank Webb Home. “We’re seeing some very definitive customer trends in our showrooms all over the Northeast. Both designers and homeowners are working to integrate these spaces more seamlessly into the rest of the home. They’re choosing products, accessories and finishes that help to eliminate clutter, simplify life and create a more architectural feeling in bathrooms and kitchens.”

In the past, the introduction of a new color was the most innovative change in the kitchen and bath industry.  Now, both large manufacturers and independent craftsmen are changing the residential landscape. They are offering new designs, fascinating materials and technology that actually make daily life easier.  Bathrooms and kitchens are no longer behind closed doors.  Instead, these rooms are being designed as a showpiece that reflects a personal aesthetic.  Here are just a few examples of how that is happening …

Personalized Bath Furniture

One of the fastest growing trends is personalized furniture for the bath. Both designers and homeowners are thinking out of the box when it comes to storage solutions for this heavily trafficked space in the home. The traditional vanity, with its cabinet base and toe kick, is being replaced by stunning pieces that set the style for a very personalized room. Some are painted, others weathered or lacquered, with tapered or hairpin furniture legs, period details and unique hardware.

The exterior styling is only part of the story, however, as the interior of these new bath furniture options include charging stations, flexible storage compartments, roll-out hampers, electrical outlets and more.

Freestanding Tubs

Bathrooms are becoming more architectural, elegant and relaxing.  Nowhere is this more evident than with the sculptural design of freestanding tubs. From acrylic to metal to handcrafted solid surface material, these tubs make a statement in any bathroom. Even for the small bathrooms often found in city condos or New England’s iconic cape homes, you can find beautiful freestanding tubs starting at just 54” long.

Redefining Accessible Living

If you hear the words “Accessible Living” and think of institutional design, heavy grab bars and limited options, think again. Remodeling with today’s beautifully designed accessible living products benefit every member of the family.  For example, these products add value to your house.  Plus, they may allow you to stay in your home for the rest of your life.

Trendy hand-held showers help those with physical challenges.  In addition, they are also great for bathing children or pets. Lever-handle faucets in the bathroom or touch fixtures in the kitchen offer ease of use for any age.  And, these faucets and fixtures are now available in a myriad of styles and finishes.  Plus, curbless showers, once seen only in healthcare facilities, are now being reimagined in exceptional tile and solid-surface designs.  In fact, they are requested for the most exquisite designer projects, due to their beautiful aesthetic and ease of use.

“Product design today allows homeowners to enjoy both style and function in a whole new way,” says Henderson. “We are seeing a very large uptick in accessible living interest. Luckily, homeowners who have enjoyed beautiful homes for decades can age in place. They can integrate new products that offer comfort and safety without sacrificing the look to which they’ve become accustomed. Plus, younger homeowners are becoming savvier about the fact that accessible living is a design principle that benefits everyone in the family.”

About Frank Webb Home

Frank Webb Home, the retail showrooms of the F.W. Webb Company, the largest plumbing distributor in the Northeast, offers an extraordinary assortment of bath, kitchen and lighting products. Whether you are simply replacing a faucet or remodeling an entire bath or kitchen, it’s helpful to have access to a wide selection of quality products and friendly, experienced guidance when making your product selections. 

The experienced showroom team in each of Frank Webb’s 40 locations has unique expertise to help you decide on the best plumbing fixtures, accessories and lighting options for your project. They have worked for years with homeowners, designers and contractors to create beautiful powder rooms, master bath suites, guest baths, kitchens and much more.