Villeroy & Boch has expanded its Antao collection with Antao Earth, a new range of surface-mounted washbasins designed by Cologne-based studio KASCHKASCH. Each basin is finished with a hand-applied Artisan Glaze, creating subtle variations in colour and texture that give every piece an individual appearance.
The organic form of Antao Earth is based on the existing Antao collection and takes its inspiration from the shape of a dewdrop. KASCHKASCH founders Florian Kallus and Sebastian Schneider developed the silhouette through the iterative process of photography, simplifying and translating forms into three dimensions before refining them further.
“It’s not a question of minimalism in its proper sense”, says Schneider. “It was more condensing design into its very essence” – the result is a timeless form that makes an impact but isn’t overpowering.
Artisan Glaze: Every washbasin a unique piece
The key feature of Antao Earth is the new Artisan Glaze. It is applied by hand and when fired, develops a chemical dynamic: The result is a surface that changes with light and water – an authentic feature of the craftsmanship.
The new technique was developed with Villeroy & Boch’s glazing lab in Mettlach. The development process placed significant demands on the material and the glaze needed to deliver a handcrafted, sculptural appearance while meeting the exacting standards required for large-scale production.
“The challenge here lay in combining an emotionally appealing, highly tactile experience with full everyday functionality”, comments Florian Kallus. Sebastian Schneider goes on to explain, “The physical complexity in the kiln is enormous. To extend such a structure to an entire basin in a controlled and reproducible manner calls for maximum precision at the interface between design and high-end ceramics technology.”
A homage to nature
The Antao Earth colour palette is based on natural landscapes and features three carefully designed hues of Sand, Terra and Smoke which are designed to reflect the variety and depth found in nature. The special Artisan Glaze results in individual textures that interact with these hues to give surfaces a vital, authentic radiance. Inspired by natural landscapes, the shade Sand creates a light welcoming look that evokes a feeling of calm. A stronger, earthy accent is set by Terra, which was directly inspired by the elemental structured surface of the Earth and reflects a deep, unmistakable bond with nature in the bathroom. Completing the palette is Smoke, a contemporary shade that reveals layers of depth as light moves across its surface.
Designed to complement the existing Antao collection, Antao Earth offers designers and homeowners greater flexibility when creating cohesive bathroom schemes.
Bathrooms2GO by PJH has added compact basin options to its popular Tuscany Sanitaryware range, offering a practical solution for cloakrooms, ensuites and smaller bathrooms. The new additions give retailers, merchants and installers greater flexibility when specifying space-saving solutions, combining compact dimensions with the style of the wider Tuscany collection.
The expanded range comprises 550mm and 450mm Tuscany basins with semi pedestals, alomgside a 450mm Tuscany cloakroom basin with bottle trap. The latter is available with a choice of Chrome, Brushed Brass or Black bottle trap with coordinating overflow rings.
The 550mm Basin with Semi Pedestal, measuring W550 x H435 x D400mm, offers a generously proportioned basin in a streamlined format, while the smaller 450mm Basin with Semi Pedestal, measuring W450 x H435 x D400mm, provides a more compact alternative for smaller bathroom layouts.
Measuring W450 x H150 x D380 mm, the 550mm basin with semi-pedestal provides a generous wash space while maintaining a compact footprint. The 450mm version also measuring H435 x D400mm offers a more compact option for smaller layouts.
Julie Lockwood, product manager, Bathrooms2GO, comments; “By extending the Tuscany range with these practical new basin options, we are giving retailers, merchants and installers more design flexibility when specifying for smaller spaces. The different sized, semi-pedestal designs and coordinating finish choices make it easier than ever to select the best stylish solution for compact rooms, while retaining the highly competitive proposition that Bathrooms2GO is known for.” …
The new basins join the existing Tuscany Sanitaryware Range within the Bathrooms2GO Collection, which includes full-pedestal basins, a close coupled WC and a back to wall WC. The Tuscany ceramic range is also backed by a PJH Lifetime Guarantee.
As with the wider Bathrooms2GO Collection, by PJH, the new Tuscany products are supported by extensive stock availability, next-day delivery direct to store or home and PJH’s ‘First Choice’ customer service promise, helping trade customers keep bathroom projects moving with dependable supply and turnaround.
For further PJH information or to order Bathrooms2GO products, visit the PJH Partners Portal, www.partners.pjh.uk, or contact the PJH Sales Team at sales@pjh.uk / T: 0345 450 8932.
Victoria + Albert’s in-house UK design team has developed a new floorstanding Podium basin model for its recently launched Kerid collection.Available in either a gloss or velvety matt finish, the new Kerid podium basin can also be specified in any of 200 RAL exterior colours.
The minimalist podium basin features a sleek, one-piece form with a chamfered base detail, echoing the Kerid soaking bath, to create a subtle ‘floating’ effect. All finishes are multi-layered using a special catalysed paint and hand-polished between applications to achieve a deep lustre and long-lasting durability.
Developed 30 years ago, Victoria + Albert’s proprietary material, Quarrycast™, is crafted from a blend of Volcanic Limestone™ and high-performance resins. The material is exceptionally strong and durable – twice as hard as acrylic, with no creaking or flexing. Scratch-, stain-, and UV-resistant, the material is also a natural insulator and easy to maintain.
Made to last, Victoria + Albert basins benefit from a 25-year consumer guarantee.
About the Kerid Collection
The Kerid Collection from Victoria + Albert reimagines bathing as a restorative wellness ritual. At the heart of the collection is the Kerid soaking bath. Compact yet immersive, it is designed for both hot soaking and cold plunging. At just 1350mm long, the bath fits comfortably in modest bathrooms and outdoor spaces, while its elevated sides (700–850mm) create a cocooning full-body experience. A raised seat within the base ensures comfort, and a slim, angled rim naturally supports the neck and head.
The bath is complemented by an optional step, as well as two basin options, creating a cohesive design story for contemporary bathrooms and wellness-focused spaces.
Features by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industries ever since, publishing regular features across both sectors.
Baths and basins lie at the heart of bathroom design, balancing functionality with consumer expectations around aesthetics and comfort. While the wash space is undergoing a period of creative freedom as we embrace double-basin designs, sculptural styles and built-in storage units, the bath is increasingly the subject of debate, with tubs being removed from homes in favour of walk-in showers, and some new builds omitting them altogether.
However, a recent report by Drench, The Great British Soak, revealed that 80% of homeowners with a bath still use it regularly, while 45% of those surveyed said ‘no bath is a dealbreaker’. So despite changing lifestyles, it appears the bath will evolve rather than disappear.
In this feature, manufacturers explore how these changing priorities are reshaping the market for baths and basins, with a focus on products that deliver expressive design, trustworthy durability, and space-saving solutions.
Space-saving baths for smaller bathroom layouts
Frontline Bathrooms
Whilst a freestanding bath remains, without doubt, one of the most desirable style statements in bathroom design, shrinking floorplans, changing lifestyles and a greater emphasis on practical needs make this option challenging for many projects. As a result, rather than focusing wholly on statement pieces, designers and homeowners are looking for design-led solutions that make the best use of available space while complementing overall schemes.
Darren Allison, managing director at Frontline Bathrooms, agrees: “The biggest shift in bathing is that the freestanding bath is no longer automatically treated as the aspirational choice. Homeowners are asking whether a bath earns the space it takes up, which is bringing compact, back-to-wall and corner formats into much stronger contention. Colour is developing too, but increasingly as part of the wider scheme rather than a standalone statement. For retailers, the opportunity is to start with the room and the customer’s habits, not with a single fashionable bath shape.”
Frontline Bathrooms is strengthening its bathing offer with a broader collection designed around the realities of UK bathrooms, rather than simply adding more freestanding shapes to the catalogue. At the centre is AquaKast, a nine-model collection developed with British bath designer Barrie Cutchie. It includes compact ovals, slipper baths, boat baths, back-to-wall and corner designs, giving retailers options for both statement schemes and more restrictive layouts.
Bringing playfulness into bathroom design
As bathroom design becomes more expressive, we see confidence flourishing when it comes to use of colour, finish and material combination. Rather than adhering to a spa-led aesthetic, designers are injecting a sense of curiosity into the bathroom space; the result is a more experimental approach to specification.
One collection that captures the shift is the new Ginza from BAGNODESIGN. Inspired by Tokyo’s Ginza district, it encourages designers to move beyond conventional bathroom schemes by offering coordinated product families for characterful interiors across residential and hospitality projects.
Extending the concept further, Ginza Junior introduces playful pink and grey finishes designed for family-friendly and inclusive spaces, reflecting a growing focus on balancing safety, functionality and aesthetics within the bathroom.
The rise of coloured baths
BC Designs Pink Bath
Once considered a bold design choice, coloured baths are becoming a bathroom staple. However, rather than being selected purely as a statement feature, colour is now being integrated more widely into bathroom schemes, which means designers and retailers can assist in creating spaces with more personality while maintaining a sense of longevity.
“Coloured baths are not a passing trend now; they have been part of the market for several years, and customers are becoming more confident about using them,” says Adam Smith, national sales manager at BC Designs. “The change is that colour is becoming easier to live with. It might be a soft peach, pale blue or muted green rather than something that dominates the room. Compact freestanding baths will continue to be important too, because people still want that focal point without giving up half the bathroom. The real test is whether the bath still feels right once the novelty has worn off.”
BC Designs has expanded its ColourKast offer with five new shades: Drifty White, Pale Peach, Rose Bloom, Aqua Blue and Minty Green.
Perfectly formed for elegance and efficiency
Duravit Balcoon Washbasin with Storage
Integral storage solutions play an important role in ensuring the bathroom space is effortlessly practical, as well as beautifully organised. In addition, increased self-expression means designers are exploring how these essential elements can also act as architectural features. The latest designs demonstrate a growing appreciation for standout forms and refined detailing that both create a focal point, whilst delivering a sense of calm and cohesion.
Martin Carroll, MD Duravit UK, adds: “A key trend emerging in bathroom design is washbasins created for efficiency, styled for elegance, and providing an additional sculptural centrepiece within the space. A key look is basins crafted as monolithic ceramic cuboids, seamlessly integrated into clean-lined furniture. A narrow rim traces the outline, creating a gentle transition from the flat vanity surface to the recess below. Generously proportioned surfaces create a calm, architectural presence, a true study in the interaction between different volumes and levels, providing each piece with its own sculptural identity and expressive form.”
Reflecting this trend, Duravit has extended its Balcoon bathroom collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola. The new collection now includes furniture washbasins, offering greater flexibility for residential and specification projects.
Building a more sustainable bathroom
Kaldewei Nuio Duo in Cool Grey
Against a backdrop of rising environmental awareness and increasing pressure on resources, sustainability is an essential consideration in bathroom design. Manufacturers are responding with a lifecycle approach, with products designed for longevity, reuse and recyclability.
One company that has championed this approach for many years is Kaldewei. With sustainability embedded into its manufacturing philosophy, the company views responsible production as an opportunity to grow whilst fulfilling environmental obligations.
“Sustainability is no longer optional in bathroom design; it’s now the standard. We’re seeing a shift towards circular economy thinking, where products are designed to be reused, recycled and reintroduced into production without losing quality,” says Adam Teal, country manager, Kaldewei UK. “Materials like steel enamel, which is 100% recyclable, lead the way, while independent certifications such as Cradle to Cradle set a new benchmark across material health, circularity, clean air, water stewardship and social fairness. Manufacturers adopting low-carbon steel and signing up to science-based targets show that environmental responsibility and commercial value go hand in hand.”
Kaldewei’s Luxstainability® ethos is the belief that luxury and sustainability can and do work in unison. Every product is crafted from steel enamel, is 100% recyclable, and more than 600 are Cradle to Cradle Certified® Silver. To demonstrate its philosphy Kaldewei spent the first half of 2026 on something akin to a modern Grand Tour, taking its steel enamel bathtubs across Europe’s leading design events and, setting out a clear position on where bathroom design is heading: toward colour, craft and genuine sustainability in equal measure.
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Duravit has extended its Balcoon bathroom collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola, with the addition of a new range of furniture washbasins that offer greater flexibility for residential and specification projects.
The collection introduces four basin sizes – 600mm, 800mm, 1000mm and a 1300mm double-basin option – providing a broad choice of layouts for bathrooms of different sizes. Positioned within the mid-price segment, the new additions combine premium design with practical functionality.
Available in White, Matt White and Clay Terra Matt, a warm terracotta-inspired finish, the basins feature Balcoon’s distinctive architectural styling. Patricia Urquiola describes the collection as an exploration of different volumes and levels, with the furniture washbasins taking the form of monolithic ceramic cuboids. A slim raised rim defines the basin while creating a subtle transition between the worktop and bowl, reinforcing the range’s clean, geometric aesthetic.
The washbasins are complemented by matching vanity units offering either two drawers or a combination of a drawer with an open, symmetrically divided storage compartment. Coordinating semi-tall cabinets extend the design language while providing additional storage.
Furniture finishes include Ivory, Sand Beige, Slate Brown, Terraccino and Umbra, allowing designers to create a range of colour palettes. The collection is completed by coordinating mirrors with integrated lighting and matching brassware for basins, baths and showers, available in Chrome, brushed Stainless Steel and Matt Black.
Duravit says the Balcoon collection is designed to deliver premium-quality materials and craftsmanship while remaining accessible within the mid-market, making it suitable for both private bathrooms and high-end hospitality and residential developments.
Victoria + Albert has expanded its Vetralla collection with the introduction of new D-shaped back-to-wall basins, responding to growing demand for sculptural sanitaryware and statement bathroom design.
Available in 500mm and 600mm sizes, the basins feature the same angular styling as the Vetralla freestanding bath, creating a coordinated look across the bathroom. A flat back edge sits flush against the wall to provide a watertight seal, while compatibility with Victoria + Albert’s Kit 22 bottle trap offers a neat solution for exposed plumbing.
We’re seeing strong demand for bathroom products that combine statement design with everyday practicality,” says Emma Joyce, head of product marketing at Victoria + Albert.
“As floating vanity units continue to grow in popularity, the new Vetralla back-to-wall basins offer a striking yet space-conscious design solution, making them ideal for compact bathrooms, en-suites and other contemporary schemes where every centimetre counts.”
Designed to complement the Vetralla bath, which is available in 1500mm, 1650mm and 1800mm sizes, the basins are offered in gloss or matt white finishes. The exterior can also be specified in more than 200 RAL colours, giving designers and homeowners the flexibility to match existing interiors or introduce a bold focal point.
The basins are available with one, three or no tap holes, allowing compatibility with deck-mounted or wall-mounted brassware.
Manufactured from Victoria + Albert’s proprietary Quarrycast™ material, the basins combine Volcanic Limestone™ with high-performance resins to deliver a durable, high-performance surface. The material is scratch, stain and UV resistant, while also being lightweight to simplify installation.
Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
Celebrating its 16th edition, Clerkenwell Design Week returned to the creative heart of London this May, transforming the capital’s leading design district into a vibrant showcase of innovation, craftsmanship and design. The three-day festival brought together leading brands with architects, designers and specifiers, providing an opportunity to discover new products and emerging trends.
Attracting tens of thousands of visitors, the event spanned multiple exhibition venues and more than 160 showrooms across sectors including furniture, lighting, surfaces, kitchens and bathrooms. Alongside product launches and immersive displays, Clerkenwell Design Week hosted networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, reinforcing its position as one of the premier events on the global calendar.
Diane Larner attended the event and shines a spotlight on six standout bathroom highlights.
Making its debut at Clerkenwell Design Week, Kaldewei participated in the festival from a stand within The Charterhouse, a remarkable Grade 1 listed building.
VitrA welcomed architects, designers and specifiers to its London Specification & Design Hub for three days of product launches, design conversations and networking.
Marlon Cera_Marle
Marlon Cera-Marle, director Media 10
What sets Clerkenwell Design Week apart from other design events is the character of the neighbourhood itself and the incredible design community within it. The historic streets, industrial buildings and hidden courtyards create an amazing backdrop for installations and exhibitions. The festival doesn’t take place in a single venue — it unfolds across the whole district, with showrooms, galleries, historic buildings and public spaces all becoming part of the experience. That integration with the neighbourhood is what gives Clerkenwell Design Week its distinctive atmosphere and energy.
“And of course many international brands have showrooms here, and the area is home to an extremely high concentration of architects, designers and specifiers from across the UK and internationally. At the same time, the neighbourhood has seen significant growth, with new creative workplaces, restaurants and cultural spaces opening up alongside its historic buildings. The festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the district each year and shines a spotlight on these creative businesses based here, reinforcing Clerkenwell’s position as one of the most important design destinations in the world.”
Adam Teal, country manager Kaldewei
We were absolutely delighted by the response to Kaldewei’s debut at Clerkenwell Design Week 2026. The Charterhouse was a truly special setting in which to share our latest designs, and it was so good to see so much enthusiasm for products including the Meisterstück Classic Duo Oval, AVELLINO washbasin, NUEVA and our new CALIMA shower trays.
“It was especially rewarding to connect with architects, designers and specifiers in person, and to hear such positive feedback on both the design and sustainability of the collection. The event was a wonderful first experience for Kaldewei at CDW, and we’re thrilled to have been part of it.”
CDW is a UK design festival held annually in the heart of London’s design district, one of the world’s most important hubs for architecture and design. Bringing together leading brands, designers, architects, specifiers and industry professionals, the event showcases the latest innovations in interiors through a programme of showroom events, exhibitions, installations, product launches and talks, attracting thousands of visitors from across the UK and the world.
Clerkenwell Design Week will return 25th – 27th May, 2027
Unveiled at Clerkenwell Design, bathroom brand Bagnodesign has introduced Ginza – a striking new collection that reflects the dynamic spirit of contemporary urban living into the bathroom space.
Drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s iconic Ginza district, where heritage craftsmanship sits alongside cutting-edge innovation, the collection demonstrates a refined balance of luxury, creativity and functionality. The result is a bathroom concept defined by bold architectural forms, tactile finishes and a distinctly cosmopolitan aesthetic.
Designed as a complete lifestyle-led bathroom solution, Ginza spans brassware, showering solutions, basins, furniture and accessories, allowing specifiers and designers to create seamlessly coordinated schemes across residential and hospitality projects. Characterised by sculptural silhouettes, considered detailing and a confident material palette, the collection brings a fresh sense of individuality and expressive design to the bathroom environment.
On display throughout Clerkenwell Design Week, Ginza captures the growing demand for bathrooms that move beyond purely functional spaces to become immersive, design-led interiors with personality and presence. Its versatility makes it particularly well suited to boutique hotels, premium residential developments and hospitality settings seeking a more curated and experiential aesthetic.
Features by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industries ever since, publishing regular features across both sectors.
Smaller footprints in new-build properties, combined with the realities of urban living are placing greater demand on bathroom design than ever before. The Government’s ongoing focus on tackling shrinkflation in 2026 has also reinforced the need for homes that support health and wellbeing, with guidance emphasising good storage, privacy, ventilation, natural light and noise reduction. As a result, thoughtful space planning has become central to specification, with every element needing to justify its place.
For the bathroom, integrated storage, compact baths and flexible showering solutions mean architects and designers can focus on balancing practical design with a well developed sense of space. This feature looks at the products that ensure bathrooms feel coherent, usable, and thoughtfully resolved rather than compromised.
Storage solutions designed for compact living
PJH EDIN range
Furniture depth and configuration make a difference to the way a smaller bathroom performs day to day. Beyond providing essential storage, a well-considered design will reduce visual clutter, improve how users navigate limited spaces, and create a more cohesive scheme for complex layouts.
Julie Lockwood, furniture product manager, Bathrooms to Love by PJH, agrees: “Choosing compact or space-saving furniture is one of the best ways to maximise storage space and organise compact rooms. The less bathroom clutter on show, the more spacious and efficient a small space can be. The latest furniture collections, such as our Edin range, are versatile, design-led, extremely durable, and full of choices for personalisation.
“By selecting coordinated furniture, designers will be able to create tailor-made space-saving solutions for all room shapes, by mixing and matching floor and wall units for a flush and seamless appearance – and great storage capacity. Not only will this look smart and streamlined, possibly hiding any unsightly pipework, but by choosing favourite colours and finish, will create a truly individual look.”
Designed with flexibility at its core, PJH’s EDIN range offers a practical approach to compact bathroom planning. Available in both standard (318mm) and slim (218mm) depth options, it allows specifiers to balance storage capacity with footprint, supporting more efficient layouts without compromising on design coherence or finish.
Perfectly matched: basins, WC’s & storage
Ideal Standard i.Life S Collection
Designing within restricted parameters has also led to a more inventive approach to sanitaryware specification. Every centimetre must contribute to function without losing visual clarity. Rather than compromising on ambition, smaller bathrooms deliver an opportunity to streamline form and prioritise detail efficiency.
Yiota Toumba, senior designer at Villeroy & Boch, explains: “As newer home footprints continue to get smaller, potential buyers are becoming much more thoughtful about how they utilise space, especially in the bathroom. With bathrooms often compact, storage and sanitaryware are shifting towards smart, space‑saving solutions that work in tighter, more awkward areas, such as en-suites and cloakrooms.
“Wall‑hung designs are a popular choice, helping keep products organised while opening up the room and making everyday cleaning easier. At the same time, softer shapes and gentle curves are bringing a sense of calm and balance into bathroom design.”
Ideal Standard’s i.life S bathroom and furniture range offers sleek, space‑saving solutions for smaller bathrooms, integrating seamlessly into a variety of interior styles. The toilets within the i.life S range are deliberately compact, featuring a back‑to‑wall bowl design to minimise the overall footprint of the fittings. These are complemented by washbasins available in a range of sizes, allowing flexibility across different layouts. Soft‑square ceramic shapes add a refined design detail while helping to maintain ease of movement throughout the room – an important consideration in smaller bathrooms.
Shower and wetroom solutions for challenging layouts
Flair Showers Baby AYO
Designing for smaller or complex shower spaces calls for a careful balance between practicality and visual lightness, where every detail contributes to a more open and usable environment. Rather than relying on scale, successful schemes make use of considered detailing and integrated solutions to improve flow, enhance storage and maintain visual continuity.
Tammy Lane, interior design partner for Flair Showers, comments, “Designers and homeowners planning compact or bespoke showers should prioritise space-saving features that enhance openness and functionality. Wall-mounted fittings, recessed shelving and concealed drainage free valuable floor space while maintaining clean sightlines. Sliding or pocket doors reduce circulation conflicts in tighter layouts, while frameless glass and large-format tiles visually expand the room.
“Lighting is equally important: positioning illumination to reflect across mirrors and glazed surfaces increases brightness and amplifies the perception of depth. Integrated vertical storage and mirrored cabinetry further maximise usability without overcrowding smaller shower environments.”
Extending this focus on compact, adaptable design, Flair Showers has introduced BABY AYO, a reduced-height shower screen system developed specifically for smaller bathrooms and loft conversions, offering a tailored solution where standard proportions may not be suitable.
Smart bath solutions for small bathrooms
Victoria + Albert’s Lussari collection
Whilst bathroom footprints continue to shrink, completely removing the bath not only impacts resale value for buyers, it also makes properties less appealing to families with young children. This has led to a growing demand for compact bath solutions that maximise space without compromising on desirability. Manufacturers have responded with smaller-format models – whether freestanding or built-in – that deliver greater flexibility for those working within such challenging parameters.
Says Emma Joyce, head of product marketing at House of Rohl: “There is growing demand for beautifully designed baths that work effortlessly within more compact bathroom layouts. Architects, designers and housebuilders are seeking solutions that combine ergonomic comfort, premium aesthetics and installation flexibility, allowing them to create sophisticated spaces without compromise.
“Design-led built-in baths and compact freestanding designs that create the illusion of space by freeing up the wall and floor area offer greater freedom to maximise layouts, deliver cohesive schemes and meet the practical requirements of modern living and hospitality environments.”
Victoria + Albert’s Lussari collection, one of the brand’s best-selling ranges, is expanding to offer new built-in compact bath options in 1600mm and 1700mm sizes. With an elegant, oval shape that complements the Lussari freestanding and back-to-wall basins, the new baths can be paired with a Victoria + Albert bath filler and overflow, negating the need for bath taps.
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Visit the Bathroom Review features pagefor more like this. Alternatively, if Kitchens are your thing, please visit our sister site, Kitchens Review
Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review. Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.
Marking its 40th anniversary, kbb Birmingham returned to the NEC this month with a vibrant and well-attended show floor, showcasing the latest innovations across the bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms sector. The four-day event brought together leading brands, retailers, designers and installers, offering a valuable opportunity to explore new product launches, evolving design trends and fresh commercial prospects.
Attracting close to 16,000 visitors, the exhibition featured over 320 exhibitors spanning 26 product categories. From furniture and surfaces to appliances, fittings and materials, the show delivered a comprehensive snapshot of the technologies and styles currently influencing the KBB market, while also fostering networking, collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the industry.
Diane Larner attended the exhibition and shares six standout highlights from this year’s event.
BAGNODESIGN made its first appearance at kbb Birmingham this March – using the platform to spotlight a curated selection of new and existing collections.
Jon Johnston
Jon Johnston, kbb sales director
The 40th edition of kbb Birmingham was very special, with such a strong legacy to celebrate. Four decades of inspiring conversations, deep industry relationships and kbb Birmingham’s role as a cornerstone of the KBB industry felt particularly resonant this year. We’re hugely appreciative of the support from visitors, exhibitors and partners who have helped shape the show into what it is today.
“The 2026 show delivered everything from show‑stopping stand design and a breadth of innovation, to four days of genuinely meaningful discussions between visitors and exhibitors who clearly care about the future of the industry. One of the aspects we’re most proud of is the diversity of product on display and the stories behind them, with exhibitors from over 20 countries and a growing European presence that continues to strengthen the show. Many international brands clearly recognise the value of kbb Birmingham as a direct route to engaging with UK high‑street studios and independent retailers. It was a reminder that while the KBB industry continues to evolve, quality, innovation and human connection remain at its core.”
Michael Bennett, head of commercialisation for House of Rohl and Aqualisa
kbb Birmingham has been a fantastic show for all of our brands. The energy across the halls has been incredibly positive, and our stand had a real buzz and was consistently busy across all four days. It’s been a brilliant platform to showcase House of Rohl and Aqualisa’s latest innovations, connect with both longstanding partners and new customers, and have meaningful conversations about the future of the sector.
“What’s really stood out this year is the quality of the leads, the depth of the conversations, and the level of press attendance. We’ve met with highly engaged visitors who are genuinely looking to do business, as well as key members of the media who are passionate about sharing innovation and design stories from the show. It’s been a hugely valuable and successful few days for our teams.”
About kbb Birmingham
kbb Birmingham is the UK’s leading trade exhibition for the kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms sector, held at the NEC Birmingham and established in 1986. Taking place every two years, the event brings together manufacturers, retailers, designers, installers and developers to showcase the latest product innovations, materials and technologies shaping the KBB market. Featuring hundreds of exhibiting brands and attracting thousands of industry professionals, it serves as a key platform for sourcing new products, discovering emerging design trends and gaining valuable business insight, while also providing important opportunities for networking and collaboration across the industry.
