kbb Birmingham comes at a very interesting time in the evolution of the UK bathroom. Market research shows that there is a definite shift from bathing to showering with over 50 per cent of the UK’s consumers saying they never take a bath.
That said, we are not ready to throw the bath out just yet; 80 percent of homes have a bath-shower combination so there is bound to be plenty of both to see at the show.
Bathroom furniture is one of the big growth areas in bathrooms with new and innovative ways of adding storage to the traditional small space in a British bathroom. And while white baths and sanitryware make up the bulk of bathrooms, dedicated furniture can add colour and imaginative lighting schemes can add extra interest and character to the room.
21st century living is bringing major changes to the kitchens you will see on display at kbb Birmingham. No longer a room isolated from the rest of the house, today’s kitchens increasingly set the style of the whole living space of the home.
At one end of the scale, the handleless look that was once a high-end only design is now a mid-market feature while a British-based classical design signature is becoming more and more popular. And as kitchen spaces get smaller, kitchen furniture is getting even more clever to add the maximum of storage modern living demands.
Environmental concerns means that kitchen appliances have to be even more efficient while open plan living means they have to look smarter and work more quietly.