Small Havens: What are the current en suite and cloakroom trends?
En suites and cloakrooms are becoming a must-have for modern homes. Britta O’Boyle looks at the current trends within these small spaces and what retailers can do to maximise their potential.
Retailers could be forgiven for not jumping with excitement when a customer asks for an en-suite rather than a full family bathroom with double vanity and all the extras. But is there more to these traditionally smaller spaces than meets the eye, and could they be key to maximising sales?
Gone are the days of white, clinical cloakrooms and en-suites. Instead, these small bathrooms are moving towards being bright, bold and spa-like spaces within homes. Natalie Bird, brand marketing manager at Roca, explains: “A cloakroom or en-suite doesn’t have to conform to the conventional idea of being a plain, white box. In fact, these spaces present a perfect opportunity to infuse stylistic flair and bring character to what is often a small, overlooked space.” This is echoed by Lewis Neathey, leader of product management at Grohe, who says: “Bold, personality driven design is being prioritised in en-suites and cloakrooms currently, as we are seeing customers utilising the smallest rooms within the home as a place to inject creativity and make statement design choices.”
It’s not all about vibrant pink and green hues though. Harsh lines are being replaced with softer curves, while earthy tones and natural materials are leading the trend for spa-like retreats, even in these compact spaces. Villeroy & Boch’s trade marketing manager of UK & global projects, Fabrizia D’Autilia, says there’s a move towards “integrating natural materials like wood and stone alongside smart features to create a serene yet efficient space”, while Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Woodstock Trading Co, adds that: “the desire for spa-like environments has led consumers to embrace the warmth and texture of wood grain finishes, incorporating gentle, rounded lines into their bathroom designs”.
Creating a luxurious, boutique feel is of course a little trickier in an en-suite or cloakroom space compared to a larger bathroom given the size restrictions, but it’s not impossible.
Hannah Bardwell, designer at CP Hart says: “Narrow, fitted, and modular units offer functional storage solutions, accommodating WC and bidet cisterns, as well as basin components’ pipe–work. By utilising space around the basin and WC, rather than just above, these products optimise space in small bathrooms”.
Tilby of Woodstock Trading Co adds that “vertical space should be maximised”, and “mirrored vanity cabinets are an excellent choice, offering both storage and functionality”. Tilby also says: “Incorporating LED-lit mirrors not only illuminates the space with gentle lighting, but also adds a stylish touch, fostering a serene atmosphere conducive to relaxation.”
Lighting the way
Lighting can be key for creating a spacious feeling in a small space, and mirrors are only the beginning. Annie Simpson, designer at Ripples Southport, explains: “Downlights placed under wall-hung furniture can often enhance the open space, creating an illusion that it’s bigger than it really is.” This is echoed by Jorge Hernandez, head of design at Crosswater, who says: “Thoughtfully designed lighting works to draw attention to the finer details that define the space, rather than simply just being a practical solution”.
Lighting has a couple of different functions of course, especially in a bathroom. It’s key to creating ambience, but it’s also a necessity. Bardwell of C.P. Hart says: “Lighting is a pivotal aspect of bathroom design, as homeowners seek to create serene and luxurious spaces. Dimmable spotlights can serve as the main light source, while secondary ambient lighting, such as strip lights or small spotlights, enhances the tranquil and relaxing atmosphere”.
Antonio Formisano, product manager at 4lite, agrees, adding: “Ambient lighting is important to set the general tone of the room and provide general illumination – so warm tone colour temperatures and dimming options are fundamental. Then we need to add task lighting to make the space work for tasks such as make-up application and shaving.”
There are of course other factors to consider too, from material variations like stone or geometric washbowls that can create a focal point and add a touch of luxury, to wetroom systems, wall-mounted toilets, vanities, and basin units that can save floor space and enhance the overall functionality of the en-suite bathroom or cloakroom.
Neathey of Grohe explains: “Infra-red taps and flush plates can be most beneficial in compact spaces, as the slim profiles and lack of levers mean that they fit above smaller basins and wall hung toilets, helping to create an illusion of more space.”
Meanwhile, Roman Showers CEO, David Osborne, adds: “Wetroom systems are extremely flexible and can work brilliantly in the smallest of spaces. If you tank a small cloakroom instead of using a shower tray then the whole room becomes a flexible showering space.”
And just because the space is small, it doesn’t mean it can’t also benefit from the latest technology, whether that’s a steam shower or smart lighting. Bardwell of CP Hart says “steam generators, now compact enough to fit within a stud wall, allow for a steam shower experience even in limited shower cubicle space”, adding that “the increased use of outlets for body jets, mists and waterfall spouts is another great asset to the spa experience without compromising on space.” When it comes to smart lighting, this is a perfect way to integrate an en-suite and walk-in wardrobe space together, potentially increasing the overall sale.
Formisano of 4lite explains: “Lots of new technology can be applied in these smaller but much used spaces to make life easier. Motion-activated lights, that automatically turn on when someone enters the space and turn themselves off when movement stops can also be integrated into a wardrobe space to come on as soon as you open the doors.”
Formisano isn’t the only one to mention the potential of incorporating ensuite design with wardrobes either. Tilby of Woodstock Trading Co suggests there’s potential to be had beyond the en-suite, adding: “Cohesive matching furniture across the home has driven demand for a wider array of colour options and finishes in the bathroom than ever before. Think matching your three-piece en-suite to your chest of drawers or wardrobe to create a feeling of expansion and connection throughout the more restful areas of your home.”
This is echoed by Simon Collyns, retail sales director of Symphony, who says: “Another trend is to match the furniture colour and style between the bedroom and the bathroom which could make an en-suite look more streamlined and bigger, as well as colour drenching to unify a space.”
Maximising potential
When it comes to the future of en-suites and cloakrooms, Paul Illingworth, design manager at Abode highlights that “according to Eureka research, the number of bathrooms in the average UK home is increasing, with new homeowners opting for more en-suite bathrooms at the expense of a large ‘family’ bathroom”.
The move towards wellness and personalisation looks set to continue too, along with a seamless transition between bathroom and bedroom. Space-saving solutions and smart features will be a major focus for maximising functionality and offering customisation, while bold looks and eco-friendly materials are predicted to take precedence in the years to come.
Neathey of Grohe says: “En-suites or hybrid bedroom-baths are becoming a new modern-day luxury must-have. This desire for luxury, wellness-inspired spaces has created a significant demand for manufacturers and retailers to offer a wider choice of design options than ever before, spanning new accessories, colour finishes, and customisable options across bathroom design.”
D’Autilia of Villeroy & Boch adds: “In the future, en-suite and cloakroom design will be characterised by smart features for efficiency; space-saving solutions for compact living; customisation options and biophilic elements to connect with nature. Sustainability will drive the adoption of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient features, while wellness features like steam showers will promote relaxation.”
Seeing is believing when it comes to small spaces however, and customers need to be able to visualise space-saving solutions and smart technologies for themselves to understand what a cloakroom or en suite has the potential to offer.
Paul Dwyer, MD of Thomas Crapper explains: “Some of the best showroom displays re-create a cloakroom or en-suite space, using an area sized to suit. This helps consumers to visualise how the room might look in their own home and allows the retailer to showcase products that a client may not have previously considered.”
This is echoed by Simpson at Ripples Southport, who adds: “Having displays that showcase space-saving products can have a huge impact on customers when it comes to designing and purchasing their en-suite/cloakroom. As well as having a portfolio of previous projects of a similar size to allow customers to see different variations and examples of how they can utilise the space for the project they are working with.”
By incorporating the latest emerging design trends, clever storage solutions, and strategic lighting, there’s potential to deliver stylish, functional, and luxurious en-suites and cloakrooms that cater to modern homeowners’ evolving needs and hopefully maximise sales too.