{"id":5640,"date":"2016-08-11T05:48:51","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T05:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/javafurniture.com\/news\/?p=5640"},"modified":"2016-08-11T05:48:51","modified_gmt":"2016-08-11T05:48:51","slug":"product-trend-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/product-trend-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Trend Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Andrea Girolamo<\/a><\/p>\n

The bath balances two identities within the modern home: a hub of practical daily activity, and a quiet retreat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBathrooms are growing in size, trending toward a tranquil spa environment and an ever-expanding variety of uses,\u201d says Jeff Ptacek, CKD, product manager for Sioux Falls, SD-based StarMark Cabinetry. \u201cAdd to the mix that customers want something unique \u2013 a reflection of their personal style \u2013 and the result is the growth of nontraditional storage options.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

Manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News report this multidirectional shift in bath vanity design and storage options is partly due to the changing nature of how the home is viewed as a more permanent asset than it was a few years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe economy is a factor,\u201d adds Steve Wilcox, director of product development and marketing for Cerritos, CA-based Sagehill Designs. \u201cThere\u2019s always going to be a common need for innovative products that will get the attention of our sales force, wholesale buyers, and ultimately, the end consumer. But the x-factor is that these products also need to be considered a value at whatever price-point. This is no easy task, especially when you consider the economic environment. We foresee a more conservative environment for the near future and we see this affecting styling trends, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

A home\u2019s resale value is not the goal as it may have been in previous years; custom solutions rise to fit changing circumstances and the specific tastes of the homeowner, manufacturers note.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe current trend is toward predominantly furniture-styled pieces in a definitive thematic context. Customers seem to want to achieve specific design themes in their bathrooms, as opposed to previous trends that were a bit more neutral in overall design aesthetic,\u201d says Chris Stookey, director of engineering and product management for Liberty Lake, WA-based Huntwood Industries.<\/p>\n

Custom is king, agrees Eric Joseph, marketing manager for Newark, CA-based Ronbow Bath Furnishings. \u201cA customer always wants something that is specifically for their bathroom, and that is a tough requirement to meet. We make sure most of our bath furnishings are modular, meaning you can use multiple pieces to achieve the size and\/or style you are looking for. Providing as many options as possible is key.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sandra Luttchens-Van Allen, director of training and communication for Jasper, IN-based MasterBrand Cabinets notes, \u201cThere has still been a call for personalization and customization this year, however we\u2019re seeing a more \u2018back to the basics\u2019 approach \u2013 products made to last that blend with existing d\u00e9cor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Style Savvy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manufacturers surveyed note that past trends such as cleaner lines, smarter, more efficient storage and the rise of vanities-as-furniture has continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s trends toward bathroom cabinetry seem to be a mix of contemporary and traditional. We like to call it \u2018Neo-Classical,\u2019 which is a traditional cabinet with some contemporary features,\u201d notes Joseph. \u201cNeo-Classical is for those who don\u2019t want the radical contemporary design but want a step up from standard traditional design.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilcox notes that the current market is keeping many companies in closer touch with the consumers\u2019 realistic needs and wants.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur styles are more traditional, but there is a common theme of casualness in whatever specific style the customer chooses,\u201d he says. \u201cOur contemporary styles also have this casual theme. We are not taking any extreme positions regarding style, but rather providing thoughtful product designs that reflect the way consumers are living at the moment.<\/p>\n

Transitional \u2013 the flexible style that bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary \u2013 has seen a strong upward shift.<\/p>\n

\u201cTransitional furniture style is still leading the market for us,\u201d notes James Lin, president of Buena Park, CA-based Fairmont Designs\u2019 bath division.<\/p>\n

Others are finding that providing a range of options across style categories is playing it safe. \u201cContemporary versus traditional styling is a very personal decision, and we see them both in demand,\u201d says Jennifer Lee, director of marketing\/fixtures for Woodridge, IL-based Danze.<\/p>\n

Still others see the continuing dominance, or possibly even a return to dominance, of traditional styling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile there are always new trends coming in and going out, what remains is still predominantly traditional storage in the bath, in terms of both style and design,\u201d says Karen Wistrom, ASID, v.p.\/marketing for Howard Lake, MN-based Dura Supreme.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to provide our customers with options,\u201d adds Wilcox. \u201cWe offer a variety of features that allows the dealer to \u2018customize\u2019 our products after the sale, such as dual-height legs or interchangeable door panels for wood or glass, for example.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luttchens-Van Allen believes the economy has tempered individual themes from rivaling more traditional styles. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing a variety of cabinetry \u2013 from minimalist modern to nostalgic traditional to Arts & Crafts. People are choosing to remodel their bathrooms in this economy, and are looking for styles that complement their homes\u2019 existing d\u00e9cor,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Furniture, Form & Function<\/strong><\/p>\n

When asked if the market is demanding more furniture-styled vanities and storage cabinets from manufacturers, Stookey\u2019s response is the norm: \u201cDefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lee notes: \u201cFurniture-style cabinetry is definitely among the most popular we\u2019re seeing in the market. It provides a very finished, warm look to the room. In many cases this style of cabinetry adds extra storage to the room. More and more homeowners seek out free-standing furniture-grade vanities instead of built-in cabinetry that appears to be their kitchen cabinet\"\"<\/a> extension. Well-designed bath furniture provides character and style to the room, and smart solutions to accommodate storage needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Bath furniture,\u2019 as it is coming to be frequently called, brings the idea of the bath as a room to be furnished like any other in the home, and new styles reflect that sentiment, according to manufacturers.<\/p>\n

The number of products available in this segment has been growing for some time. \u201cIt\u2019s quite easy to find pre-designed furniture styles that complement a home\u2019s interior details and provide concealed storage, as well,\u201d notes Luttchens-Van Allen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is definitely the trend that has gained the most steam in the last 18 months,\u201d says Wistrom. \u201cIt\u2019s not a fad; furniture details like turned columns, legs, feet and others are here to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeet and leg treatments are more commonplace, with open-shelving, reminiscent of bookcases or end tables in other spaces around the home,\u201d adds Ptacek.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen shelving continues to grow in popularity and, if done well, can add a wonderful sense of d\u00e9cor to the room. It provides a natural space to display items and add a finishing touch,\u201d says Lee. \u201cHowever, it can\u2019t be at the expense of having enough closed storage options within the pieces. Homeowners still demand a lot of storage in order to maintain a clutter-free environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Which may explain why manufacturers such as Lin typically think of this type of storage as more appropriate for powder rooms, rather than master baths. \u201cIt is really only good in certain segments and types of infrequently used baths,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Luttchens-Van Allen agrees: \u201cOpen shelving is more often seen in guest or half baths rather than master or children\u2019s baths. High use bathrooms are better served with closed storage to keep the space looking neat and tidy; open, more decorative details are often found in lower traffic bathrooms. The exception to this is sleek, contemporary styling, which still lends itself to open shelves for exposed, color coordinated towel storage and minimalist decor.\u201d
\nThe compromise is a mix of open and closed storage to give the display space a transitional touch while preserving the privacy of one\u2019s toiletries.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany homeowners like the look and d\u00e9cor options that open storage provide, but they still need the functionality of closed storage for a clutter-free environment,\u201d Lee notes.<\/p>\n

Americans like their toiletry items, but want their clean lines and surfaces clear, agrees Ptacek. \u201cTaller vanities are good for this type of storage, as well as specially designed enclosed storage that has internals that pull out for complete organization of things like cosmetics, curling irons, toiletries, etc.,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Stains & Grains <\/strong><\/p>\n

Certain trends are harder to pin down, among them colors, stains and wood species. These seem to take a particular slant depending on the location, personal taste and price point of the product.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinishes are running the entire spectrum \u2013 from natural, to deep rich chocolate tones, to painted. It\u2019s about personalization and the overall feeling or atmosphere the client is trying to attain,\u201d says Luttchens-Van Allen.<\/p>\n

\u201cColors for vanities seem to be more painted than in previous years. Distressing is gaining popularity, but I personally don\u2019t see it as much in the vanity segment of the business,\u201d adds Lori Seykora, director of customer service and training, Showplace Wood Products in Harrisburg, SD. She mirrors Luttchens-Van Allen\u2019s thoughts on dominant wood species: \u201cWith the market as tight as it has been, we see cherry and maple sales continuing to dominate.<\/p>\n

However, oak, being a lesser price point, seems to be the draw right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ptacek agrees with the assesment of maple and adds: \u201cAlder is our fastest growing specie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maple is a natural winner, says Wilcox. \u201cIt is a beautiful wood, finishes well, and is well recognized by consumers. Perhaps this is due to the more conservative nature of the market at this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegarding stains and finish treatments, we see a general trend toward darker tones, and we still see the need for unique physical and finish distressing. We use finish effects like dry-brushing, fly-specking, cow-tailing and other types of actual physical distressing to accent the overall look of the vanity,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Though Lin and Lee agree about the popularity of dark finishes, Lee notes that what makes the assessment of color trends difficult lies in the personal x-factor of the consumer. \u201cStains and colors are such a personal preference, but we have seen many homeowners gravitating to warmer, darker colors or more exotic veneers such as Zebra. We see increasing offering in Zebra veneer, from very restrained to very wild in pattern.\u201d<\/p>\n

There has been an uptick in unusual wood species requests, as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still seeing a dominance in maple, European beech, alder and cherry wood species, though we\u2019ve seen significant increases in the use of black walnut, ribbon-cut African mahogany and bamboo, particularly in veneer-slab door styles,\u201d comments Stookey. \u201cWhen going with an unusual wood specie, most customers trend towards natural or lighter stains that don\u2019t diminish the inherent drama found in the wood,\u201d Stookey adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs more contemporary pieces gain popularity, so do the darker finishes. Our Dark Cherry is one of the company\u2019s most popular finishes,\u201d stresses Joseph. A lot of our black pieces are gaining sales wise, as well. We just released a new finish called Antique Black, which is a matte black finish with some antique distressing, and it is selling very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Future Furniture<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the future is difficult to measure even during stable years, it is doubly difficult in turbulent times. Those surveyed by KBDN<\/em> had optimistic predictions for both the industry and the future of bath vanities and storage cabinets in particular.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe expect to see a proliferation of \u2018pull\/roll-out\u2019 accessories. Though open storage has gained in popularity, the ergonomic benefit offered through \u2018pull\/roll-out accessories\u2019 seems to have strong appeal to the end user,\u201d says Stookey.<\/p>\n

Ptacek agrees and predicts that the trend will move toward fewer actual cabinets, and more uniquely customized storage solutions\"\"<\/a> will develop.<\/p>\n

Joseph conjectures that the evolution of bath storage will only grow in importance to consumers. \u201cThat said, our focus will be to design cabinets with plenty of drawers and shelves, but with the clean lines of design.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdequate storage is important in any bath environment, and the basics won\u2019t change radically in the near future,\u201d says Wilcox, who notes that quality and customization will be the driving concerns for manufacturers going forward.
\nLee sees the trend in customization as empowering the designer and consumer to think outside the box, literally. \u201cThere will be more thoughtfulness in bath storage design. Rather than conventional shelves that divide the interior space of a vanity, we\u2019ll see more side pockets on the door panels that allow easy access to everyday essentials. Also, organizational trays with handles in both front and back that allow the homeowner to organize things standing up will rise in popularity. Other unique storage solutions, such as the vertical double-tier pullout \u2018spice rack\u2019 drawer that provides easy access to must-have products [may come into play].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen storage will remain big; showing towels and baskets in those open areas is the way things are going,\u201d notes Seykora. \u201cPeople are tired of the old closed-looking vanity that you can purchase anywhere. They want a unique piece that fits their lifestyle and d\u00e9cor. Vanities of the present fit that bill,\u201d adds Seykora.<\/p>\n

Luttchens-Van Allen notes: \u201cI see multifunctional storage features becoming more important, as well as a renewed interest in lasting quality and sustainability. Personal time is considered a luxury, and future bath products need to reflect a world of escapism while providing practical accessibility to utilitarian items.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more Bath Vanities and Storage Cabinets, please visit Products Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Source : http:\/\/www.kitchenbathdesign.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Andrea Girolamo The bath balances two identities within the modern home: a hub of practical daily activity, and a quiet retreat. \u201cBathrooms are growing in size, trending toward a tranquil spa environment and an ever-expanding variety of uses,\u201d says Jeff Ptacek, CKD, product manager for Sioux Falls, SD-based StarMark Cabinetry. \u201cAdd to the mix […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-furniture-world-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5640"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indonesia-furniture.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}