Smart design never goes out of style. In our industry, “smart” design encompasses good looks and durability as well as innovative products that offer solutions and keep customers engaged and interested. Accessibility is a key component in any design as changing demographics promote a growing interest in products that meet universal design standards. 

We love seeing functional fixtures get a bold makeover — an infusion of color, a new finish or an innovation that opens new options for comfort and convenience. The leaders in our industry understand the connection between exceptional design and superior manufacturing, and merge the two to meet and exceed the needs of their customers. A few of our favorite standouts are featured here.

The Bidet Is Back

Icera is putting a new spin on an enduring tradition with its Muse iWash integrated bidet toilet. Dating back to 17th-century France and now common in Europe and Asia, bidets are gaining popularity in the United States, thanks in part to innovations like this one. The Muse iWash system offers exceptional cleaning and flushing power while conserving floor space with an efficient two-in-one design. The unit is sleekly luxurious with a minimalist vibe and skirted trapway. 

Thoughtful features include an in-bowl LED nightlight, a deodorizer, a bowl-cleansing pre-mist when the seat is occupied, and a sanitary touch-free flush requiring just 1.28 gallons per use. There’s even a backlit remote control with magnetic wall-mount and two user presets. 

Icera offers an impressive array of optional features for a truly custom feel, such as a heated seat, warm air dryer and oscillating sprayers with variable positioning. In keeping with the manufacturer’s standards, the Muse iWash is eco-friendly with a high-efficiency flush and is factory-tested to ensure reliable performance. Crafted of vitreous china, the open rim bowl is finished in a glossy white and treated with MicroGlaze, an antimicrobial porcelain finish for easy cleaning and lasting beauty.

Design with Purpose

As demographics shift and the needs of growing families evolve, universal design is growing in popularity and relevance. Manufacturers and designers are working to help customers maximize the usability of their homes regardless of age, size or ability. This is particularly important in the bathroom, where accessibility is vital. 

MTI Baths offers an extensive line of wall-mounted sinks perfect for smaller spaces and accessible bathrooms. The wall-mount installation helps to save floor space and the open layout makes it easier to navigate with a walker or wheelchair. Sinks can be installed at an ADA-compliant height in a variety of configurations and shapes. 

The sinks are a smart choice for their durability and good looks. They are crafted of SculptureStone, an incredibly resilient material that is 75-percent organic and completely solid throughout. These beautiful yet practical sinks are available in a matte finish or a deep hand-polished gloss.

Multifunctional Shower

Among the most popular trends in bathroom design are those focused on the evolution of the shower. Lenova is leading the way with its thermostatic shower system, an all-inclusive design featuring multiple body sprayers, a hand-held sprayer and effective control over water temperature. 

Lenova brings a new level of luxury and relaxation to the shower, allowing users to customize their own experience. The system can be tailored to each bather in the household, perfect for multigenerational homes with people of different ages and abilities. This exceptional shower uses advanced technology to offer three-in-one valve control over water temperature, volume and pressure. The system maintains water temperature within one degree, even when the shower and sprayers are used simultaneously. 

The thermostatic shower system is crafted of the highest-quality materials for superior performance and durability, and is available in polished chrome or brushed nickel.

Go Bold with Color

The kitchen is often the gathering spot in a home: a place to talk, share, work and entertain. Isenberg reimagines the kitchen faucet as a colorful focal point in this high-traffic space with its Klassiker Kitchen Collection. Inspired by an industrial-chic vibe, these stylish yet hard-working faucets come in 11 different styles and a rainbow of 20 colors. 

Using advanced resin technology, the manufacturer offers an array of ceramic-based finishes that are eco-friendly and amazingly durable. Color options include neutral shades of gray, tan, black and white as well as dramatic hues such as crimson, navy blue, matte gold and army green. 

The Klassiker Collection features faucets of sizes and silhouettes — from entry-level to professional-grade — all crafted from stainless steel with fine ceramic-disc cartridges. As with all Isenberg products, Klassiker faucets are designed with water-saving in mind, offering a 1.8 gallons/minute flow rate, and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty to ensure years of flawless performance and beauty.

A Must-Have Matte

Matte finishes are exceedingly popular for their smooth, nonreflective surfaces. BainUltra has embraced this growing trend with its UltraVelour finish for freestanding tubs. This velvety satin finish brings a touch of luxury to the bathroom with its beautifully rich and silky look, and it also offers the practical benefit of providing a more slip-resistant surface. 

All BainUltra tubs are crafted from high-quality, 100-percent pure acrylic to create a durable, low-maintenance finished product. The new UltraVelour finish is no exception. It is easy to clean, nonporous, hygienic and built for lasting beauty. BainUltra has made the UltraVelour matte finish available in white for their most popular tub collections, including Nokori, Essencia, Evanescence, Charism, Origami, Esthesia, Inua, Citti and Ora.

A Leveraged Entrance 

Levered handles are an on-trend look for the kitchen and bath that have the advantage of being friendly to universal design standards. Nostalgic Warehouse recently unveiled its first-ever trio of levers to complement its existing line of heirloom-quality knobs, handles and more. Crafted from solid forged brass, these beautiful levers are easy to use for all ages and add an element of elegance and sophistication to any décor. 

Choose from three memorable styles and seven designer finishes, then pair with any of the company’s signature rosettes, long plates or short plates to create a custom look. Each is available in multiple functions and pre-mounted for easy installation. As with all Nostalgic Warehouse hardware, each lever is assembled by hand in the United States and is covered by a five-year mechanical and finish warranty.

 Tub-to-Shower Conversions 

Traditional tubs can pose accessibility issues that are avoided entirely by zero-entry showers. QuickDrain USA makes it simple to convert a tub to a walk-in shower with its ShowerLine system. With a highly efficient PVC drain body, the ShowerLine system creates a high-end look at a reasonable price and with no-hassle installation. Designed with pre-sloped shower panels made from 100-percent repurposed materials, it offers a fast-and-easy retrofit solution for home and hospitality settings. 

It’s perfect for a bathroom remodel to add a roll-in shower for maximum accessibility. The system offers an array of design options with nearly any finish or flooring material and provides a clean, modern look. As an ADA-compliant design, ShowerLine systems are available in six standard sizes and four outlet configurations.

Style trends may come and go, but timeless design endures from one season to the next because it fills a need. With the rise of universal design standards, our industry is re-thinking product design from the ground level and innovating to reach new heights of creative genius. We are encouraged by the fantastic designs showcased here and look forward to discovering new exceptional products in the future.