Beautiful Refuge – Kitchen & Bath Design News

A focus on self-care and personal wellness reinforces the trend of designing spa-like spaces in the home bathroom. Those spaces not only include soaking and jetted tubs, but now also incorporate aromatherapy, chromatherapy, steam showers and sauna rooms.

“Self care includes creating sanctuaries that facilitate putting our hectic, high-speed lives on hold and relaxing,” stresses Michael Zimber, founder of Stone Forest in Santa Fe, NM.  

Justin Storm, director of category management at House of Rohl in Irvine, CA adds, “With homeowners focusing more on their mental and physical wellbeing, the bathroom, naturally, is where they turn in order to de-stress and wind down. This, in turn, has impacted bathroom trends as consumers look to create spaces that are designed like a wellness retreat.” 

The bathtub is an integral element in this personal oasis. Zimber says, “[People are] bringing the essential energy and beauty of nature into the bathroom with natural materials that evoke the expansive and restorative powers of nature.”

Tubs that can be customized with a range of options to create the exact therapeutic experience the end user craves are also important. “Homeowners want their bathrooms to be a place of relaxation, and bathing is now more of an experience,” offers Storm. “Customizable showers and baths that include extras such as hand showers and body sprays are popular ways to emulate a spa environment.”

In addition to custom therapeutic options, technology that adds value to the space is in rising demand. “Consumers are also looking for simplification and meaningful technology that will help educate and guide them on their wellness journey, such as guided experiences,” explains Huston Sprang, global senior product manager-steam at Kohler, WI-based Kohler Co. 

Other current trends include continued interest in freestanding and deep soaker tubs, pops of color that make a statement, and increased attention to accessibility issues. That’s according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. 

Soothing Refuge

Managing stress and focusing on wellness has garnered much attention in the past several years, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers are more often creating spaces in their own homes that promote relaxation and offer the same therapeutic features they can find at a spa.

“The bathroom, in general, has been a focus for wellness in recent years as the increasing focus on mental wellbeing has driven the importance of the bathroom space as a sanctuary for self-care,” remarks Bryan Huie, product manager at Duluth, GA-based Duravit USA. ”The bathtub is no exception as designs are continually focusing on therapy and serenity.”

“[Wellness] has become a larger part of the design conversations with the client and is influencing new product development,” says Bob Gifford, director of business development at Hastings Bath Collection in Freeport, NY. “Spa products are being used more than ever in homes.”

“The current focus on self care and wellness is not going away. In fact, this is much more than a trend – it is a societal shift and movement,” stresses Alejandra Thompson de Jordan, v.p. of sales & marketing for Thompson, based in Greensboro, NC. “Wellness extends deeply into health and longevity practices. It seems like cold plunging is the new pickleball.” The impact on the home bathroom and spa is huge, she adds. 

“Homes are building out extensive spas with saunas, hot tubs with jets that have health implications, salt water over chlorine and arctic and cold plunge solutions integrated,” she continues.  

Consumers are becoming more open to investing in these options that promote health, manufacturers say.

“We are seeing more ‘conservative’ customers wanting bidets, essential oils in the shower, tubs with experiences, and wellness environments in their homes,” reports Dean Camastro, Northeast regional sales manager at Duravit USA.

“There continues to be a surge in transforming bathroom spaces into spa-like experiences, and consumers are prioritizing products, like steam showers, that focus on well-being,” states Martha Orellana, v.p., marketing, MrSteam based in Long Island City, NY. “Homebuyers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for quality features, like steam showers, that support their health and fiscal goals.”

Kim Frechette, national sales director at North Hollywood, CA-based Americhsays, “Since COVID, the consumer has stayed interested in at-home spa therapies that can be accessed easily, in their own bathrooms, without sharing space with strangers. Hydro-massage in all its forms, as well as any other therapy – aroma, light, salts, etc. – to enhance the basic soak, are more mainstream and accepted.”

Custom Function

Designers understand that no two clients are the same – nor will they want the same features and therapeutic options. That’s why a range of features that add exactly the experience the individual is looking for are critical.  

“Usually customization will be around placement of the jets – one-size does not always fit for everyone – and the extras like chromatherapy or the hydro-massage add-ons,” explains Frechette. “Low-profile tub edges and undermounts, with understated, quiet systems like soaker heating systems and skin conditioning systems, are making sleek, minimalistic tub areas primed for tranquil soaking.”  

“Our baths and showers are incorporating sensory elements such as lighting, sound and aromatherapy. In new builds, homeowners are ensuring they have the footprint in the bathroom to accommodate the products that attribute to their wellness routines and rituals,” stresses Sprang. “We are also seeing great demand for our steam showers with all the benefits that they can deliver to a user. [They] can be easily integrated into a showering space and not require additional footprint space, and are able to achieve contrast therapy when combined with a cold shower.”

Cold therapy plunge spas or pools are being requested more often as well, says Stephanie Bennet, president of Diamond Spas in Longmont, CO. “Clients will put these chillers next to their baths, saunas or hot tubs. Cold-plunge therapy has many health benefits and has become the new rave for total body wellness.”

In addition to a wide range of therapeutic options, functional features and integrated technology are increasingly important to consumers, manufacturers say.  

“Ease of use, control and connectivity are basic expectations with all new products, I would venture to say in all categories,” reports Thompson de Jordan. “The ability to turn something on, off, set the temperature, set the steam levels, surveillance of the device or product, etc. needs to be easily accessible through a mobile device. This is quickly evolving from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have.’”

“Integrating advanced technology with smart features into steam products aligns with the well-being trend, offering users comfort and convenience at their fingertips,” adds Orellano.  

Natural Calm and Pops of Color

Natural tones evoke the calm, serene atmosphere of a home spa, making natural materials and finishes a top choice for tubs, manufacturers say.

“There are lots of natural elements like stone and raw copper on display,” notes Thompson de Jordan. In addition to nature-inspired stones, metals, woods and raw surfaces that feel and appear to be unfinished, green is a top choice, she adds. “Everything at KBIS 2024 was green,” she offers.

“With high-end bathroom design, customers are also conscious of the material and finish. Our epiStone solid surface bathtubs have a modern satin finish that is silky to the touch, but not glossy. This goes very well with earth tones and textured stone and tile surfaces that are very trendy in bathroom design,” remarks Sally Edenfield, brand strategist and content manager at Ruvati in Round Rock, TX.

“We’re seeing high demand for our bathtub designs carved from natural stone,” states Zimber. “Designers like to use them as sculptural focal points, designing the entire bathroom around these dramatic sculptural statements.” 

He adds, “There seems to be some momentum away from more neutral stone colors towards marble bathtubs with more dramatic veining and color, including green marble.”

Designers and consumers are making the tub a focal point that makes a statement, and using unique colors helps them do so.  

“Colored tubs are in demand as well and help bring to life a feeling of calm and harmony,” offers Storm. Victoria + Albert’s Cravings Collection from Food & Wine by House of Rohl includes three color palettes inspired by a tasting menu in partnership with Food & Wine, he adds.  

Gifford notes, “New technology is allowing bathtubs to be available in many colors, both inside and outside of the product. This is expanding the designers’ use of statement pieces in a bathroom with pops of color.”

Frechette, however, says white and biscuit are still the top choices. “Industry color trends are reflected in baths as well, but the homeowner intrepid enough to commit to a color is still rare,” she explains.

Stand-Alone Soakers

Some manufacturers say that demand for “bells and whistles” is decreasing as consumers return to freestanding soaking tubs in organic shapes.

“Surprisingly, manufacturers such as Duravit are finding very little custom requests in the bathtub category as the soaking tub offering is the greatest demand,” explains Hule. “Spa tubs were removed several years ago and the downward trend on demand continues as the health effects using bath salts and other bath additives have proven positive results.”

“Tubs, particularly freestanding tubs, are now being thought of as a focal point for bathrooms. Those who have larger spaces are opting to keep their tub separate from their shower, which emphasizes the continued need for a spa-like bathroom environment,” says Storm. 

“Deep tubs that provide roomy comfort are popular, and there’s also an increased interest in more compact freestanding baths,” he continues. “Homeowners recognize the health benefits of tubs and are trying to accommodate them even in smaller bathrooms.”

“We’ve seen great success with our tubs because of their sleek design and freestanding installation,” notes Edenfield. “Since they’re freestanding, they can be placed anywhere and allow for a dynamic bathroom design. Especially in larger bathrooms, a freestanding tub can be a statement piece.”

“Bathing never goes out of style. A soak is always beneficial, but even if you aren’t a ‘bather,’ a sore back, a sore knee, a child, a pet are only a few reasons baths are a must in any home,” says Frechette. “Freestanding tubs continue to be popular but, interestingly, drop-in tubs have made a strong comeback.”

Hule notes that alcove tubs, like Duravit’s Architec, are trending upward. “The integrated front apron and tile flange are great features that provide an ease of install into a niche space.”

“Right now, we’re seeing an increased interest in soaking baths,” says Sprang. “They provide a deeper soak, and a couple of Kohler’s soaking baths offer an immersive experience with overflow to create a calming atmosphere.”

Rounded shapes are popular, and size preferences vary, with many manufacturers seeing tubs from 58″ to 66″ in highest demand. 

Camastro says the 60″x30″ tub is still a leader, but adds that smaller freestanding tubs are being used in remodeled bathrooms with limited space. Round organic shapes for freestanding tubs are trending, he adds.

“Tubs have been oversized over the last few years, but I’m seeing a shift toward a more sustainably minded tub that requires less water to be filled, less power to heat that water, and a quicker fill time,” observes Thompson de Jordan. “I wouldn’t call this trend a petite tub, but a personal tub – exactly what one person needs to be comfortable, no more and no less.”

Frechette adds, “The sweet spot for sizing continues to be the 66″ bath. It accommodates a smaller bather solo bathing or two bathers when the time is right.” 

She continues, “Ovals are still queen. Sleek ovals in all sizes and installation types are great looking and comfortable.”

Enhancing Access

Universal design and accessibility issues are increasingly important to design, allowing all who live in the home to fully utilize each space. At the same time, trends like freestanding tubs can make accessibility tricky.  

“Accessibility is really on the rise and will only become more important,” believes Thompson de Jordan. Two major factors drive this shift, she adds: increased popularity of ADUs and vacation rental properties and the aging U.S. demographic. “New U.S. Census projections estimate that, soon, 1 in 5 Americans will be senior citizens, which means the interest and need in beautiful and accessible home bath products will be more important and more in demand than ever,” she says.

Hule remarks that there is always demand for ADA products when it comes to the bathtub. “As we have a large aging population, [there is] the need to have mobility-friendly products,” he says.

Frechette agrees. “ADA features are in demand. Whether that is an 18″ depth, a step, a substantial deck on a freestanding tub that can ease sitting or a strategic grab bar, baths can be adapted to the consumers’ needs.”

“Freestanding soaking tubs, unfortunately, being large and tall, are not the most accessible. Usually, they are added in addition to a walk-in shower that is more accessible,” says Edenfield. “We are always looking for ways to make our tubs user friendly for all consumers. There are some innovative designs in the market that convert bathtubs into walk-in tubs. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to do it with freestanding tubs or solid surface tubs yet.”

“There should be more design-driven accessible products in the market and it is something we are working on,” reports Gifford. “Many of our bathroom sinks and vanities can now be made meeting ADA standards but with design as the focus.”