Bathroom renovation Q&A with Kohler’s Tom Casper
We get asked alot of questions on bathroom trends and designs by first-time builders and renovaters alike. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions Kohler’s National Product and Sales Training Manager, Tom Casper, receives:
What are the latest in bathroom trends?
Two bathrooms in a family home are quite common now but their roles have become more clearly defined. The main Master Bathroom (for the parents) features luxury items such as freestanding bath with whirlpool or BubbleMassage technology, deluge shower and statement pieces in taps and basins. Generally it’s a larger space designed as a relaxation and rejuvenation area.
The second bathroom is designed for children and guests and tends to be smaller and more utilitarian. Space saving items can include drop-in bath (space permitting), wall mounted basin mixer (easier to keep clean), wall-mounted ‘floating’ vanity (this gives the perception of more space).
What are the current colour schemes?
Whites, neutrals (as in stones) and glass continue to be the key elements – they maximise the perception of spaciousness, reflect light and enhance the sense of cleanliness and hygiene. Colour is introduced via accessories. Mirrors with timber or enamelled frames, stone or woven baskets for soaps and towels, copper bowls, feature tiles in saturated colours or metallics, decorative items such as statuettes. The key is to introduce ‘surprise’ elements that give the space a sense of character and a point of difference.
What are the “must-have” accessories?
Accessories, in terms of soap holders, towel rails, robe hooks, toilet roll holders etc mirror the profile of tapware for a sense of unity and cohesion. Brands such as Kohler design a complete range of matching accessories to most of their tapware designs. And while character is much desired in any bathing space, clutter isn’t! It’s essential to have
good and adequate storage for toiletries and towels plus items such as towel rails and robe hooks to create a sense of calm and order in a space that is, after all, intended to relax and de-stress us.
Are bathrooms today all about luxury or are they more understated?
It depends who the bathroom is intended for. For adults the bathroom is very much a place for relaxation, pampering and indulgence. So luxury can be a key element. A BubbleMassage bath, where thousands of warm-air-filled bubbles massage and support the entire body, is a luxury but the overall design of the bath is one of understated, unobtrusive elegance.
If the bathroom is intended for the children then a more utilitarian design is probably preferred – low profile mixer taps, undermount basins, a simple multi-function shower such as the Flipside – a space that works well when several people want to use it at the same time. And colour will often play a bigger role in a child-orientated bathroom.
Should I be aiming for a more environmentally responsible bathroom? And if so, how?
Most definitely. The demand for water-saving tapware, shower-heads and toilets has never been higher. People want showers that create a deluge, rain-shower experience but still want to know they are saving water. Technology such as Katalyst delivers a deluge of water that envelops and drenches the body yet has the highest 3 star WELS rating using only 9 litres of water a minute. This is achieved by injecting two litres of air into the water stream every minute. Kohler now has toilets that use a fraction of the water of conventional toilets – the average flush will only use 4.5/3litres of water (4 star WELS) – while basin mixers can use as little as 6 litres of water a minute. And while water conservation is a key factor in most consumers’ decision-making now, design can never be compromised. Aesthetics are still an essential element.
How are designs changing? How have they changed over the years?
As a general response to this question I would say they are becoming far more streamlined while also becoming more tactile! For example, the popularity of the wall hung toilet, whereby there is no visible cistern and the toilet is suspended above the floor, is growing RAPIDLY. With this design the toilet becomes a stylish, unobtrusive element of the overall bathroom design.
And to illustrate the tactile element of my response – materials are becoming more interesting. Basins for example, are being made in spun or cast glass – they look like a piece of art and you want to run your hands over them. Similarly with tapware – basin taps have become a sculptural element that are Ithe focal point of the entire space. They really do make a statement.
How much importance should I place on the bathroom? Why?
The bathroom is the most used room in the home – every member of the family uses it several times a day, each and every day. But until recently it was not a ‘show pony’ – that was the realm of the kitchen. But the spotlight has now shifted – there is equal importance attached to the bathroom. Spending on bathrooms is now almost on a par with the kitchen.
And the role of the bathroom has changed – it is no longer just a wet room where we go to do our ablutions as quickly as possible and then leave. It is now a space to linger, to relax and rejuvenate, de-stress, indulge oneself. And we are designing it to amply reflect its new role.