There is much excitement in the world of taps and fittings and, more generally, of plumbing solutions for public bathrooms. In fact, new trends that mix advances in technology with an important role for design and ergonomics are being added to the trends that have been established over the years.
Speaking of trends for 2021, one cannot fail to mention the ever-increasing weight of sustainability, which finds expression in automatic water flow shut-off systems, flow restrictors and all technologies capable of transforming the low-consumption concept into a pleasant everyday reality. All this without neglecting the focus on hygiene, which lately has an increasingly close relationship with design: far from being a simple aesthetic feature, the tap must be designed to allow easy cleaning and to prevent small inaccessible areas from becoming breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. This is combined with evergreen factors such as the durability of materials, easy maintenance and replacement of components and advanced systems such as electronic temperature control to maximise user safety.
The trends of 2021 for public bathrooms: design, ergonomics and a touch of colour
The trends listed, which have already been observable for some time, will continue with vigour during 2021, becoming a kind of benchmark for any public bathroom fittings product. To these, however, can be added more recent and very concrete trends, which will accompany us during this year and, who knows, the next. Here are some of them:
- Maximum attention to design
Faucets for public bathrooms must fulfil a number of basic requirements: resistance to prolonged use, practicality, reduction/cancellation of waste and safety. But for a while now, the eye has also become discerning: many facilities demand that the product, in addition to guaranteeing all the above-mentioned characteristics, is not only 'beautiful', but above all blends in perfectly with the style of the environment and, more generally, of the entire facility. Make way, then, not only for what is defined as ergonomic design, but also for modern, simple, minimalist lines but with a very strong focus on materials and finishes, which can embellish an entire environment.
- A touch of colour
A theme that ties in with the previous one concerns the role of colour. We are used to considering fittings for public environments as more concerned with functionality than style, and to associating colour with domestic products or those for very young users. But the story is changing, and the trend away from the classic scheme of the brass or chrome-plated steel faucet is as alive as ever. Gunmetal grey, matt black and white are the most popular options, the result of a correct blend of modernity and elegance, but there is nothing to stop you from moving into gold or even more striking colours. Everything is, of course, a matter of considering the aesthetic features of the environment.
- Customisation
The customised component theme is gaining ground, in line with the industrial trend towards mass customisation (as opposed to traditional mass production) observed in several manufacturing sectors following the adoption of 4.0 production models, such as ours.
Customisation is a term that also finds fertile ground in the world of public bathroom fittings, logically aimed at satisfying very specific needs. Features are customised that affect the functionality of the product, but also the design itself: for example, some products can be embellished with a PVD finish, which is gaining ground in many product sectors, including consumer electronics and automotive. In the face of considerable manufacturing complexity, PVD treatment offers extraordinary benefits including: increased resistance to abrasion, solvents and UV rays, beautiful colour effects such as gold plating and gunmetal black with varying levels of opacity.
- Technology and ergonomics
Ergonomics continues to drive design and functional choices, because it simplifies and makes the experience pleasant. This is true for manual taps, but also for those that are more widely used in public contexts: timed and electronic taps, which combine water-saving features, design and a pleasant experience with an unrivalled level of hygiene, which has become more important than ever in recent months.
- The vintage trend
Adding a vintage style to a modern bathroom in the form of retro-style faucets can create a sense of timelessness and warmth and a comforting reference to decades gone by. In fact, if space permits, a very current trend is the return of antiques, with the addition of some vintage (or retro-inspired) bathroom fittings. Soft brass colours are ideal, as they combine well with a nice bathroom tile job.