After spending most of 2020 at home, renovation projects have become a top priority for many homeowners. Consumers and designers alike have felt the stress of trying to re-purpose living spaces to meet the needs of household members quarantining together. From telecommuting and at-home learning to working out, entertainment and lots of meal prep, the home has expanded to serve multiple functions. 

The need to share spaces has us rethinking the rooms in our house — with the kitchen and bath being at the top of everyone’s mind. We all need to make our spaces more efficient and customized to fit our lifestyles, while also reducing clutter to create a serene space for wellness. 

Since rebuilding from the ground up is impractical, the solution is strategic renovations with smart products that offer quick and efficient transformations. Here is a roundup of top products that are leading the way. 

Out-of-Sight Storage

A popular goal for bathroom remodels is to increase storage space and reduce clutter. The versatile Container Series by Easy Sanitary Solutions solves both problems with style. Its new wall niche system is nearly invisible yet provides generous storage for bathroom essentials behind push-to-open doors. With toiletries off the countertop and out of sight, the bathroom looks cleaner and has a more serene vibe. 

The newest additions are the T-Box and T-Roll, both available in various sizes and finishes to suit any décor. The T-Box is a square wall niche with a built-in shelf that offers easily accessible storage for soaps, lotions, and other personal items. The taller T-Roll is shaped to conceal unsightly necessities such as a toilet brush, waste can and paper products. 

Their seamless design sits neatly inside the wall with a water-tight fit, making them a perfect addition to bathroom makeovers. Add custom tiles to match the surrounding wall or choose from attractive finish options such as traditional white or black, a refined cream or anthracite, or gleaming stainless steel.

Tub-to-Shower Transformation

Wishing for a shower in a bathroom with only a tub? Adding a shower is now a lot easier, thanks to an innovative drain design from MTI Baths. Its 6036 shower base includes a hidden offset drain that allows the unit to be fitted over an existing tub without plumbing hassles. As a smart solution for residential and commercial remodeling projects, the base is easily installed with high-density foam and either left- or right-side drain placement. 

Measuring 60 inches by 36 inches, the base is crafted from durable Lucite and enhanced with multiple layers of fiberglass, resin, titanium and wood. Offered in white, bone or biscuit with a glossy or matte finish, the 6036 shower base features a sleek, sophisticated look — a welcome addition to modern bathrooms. 

The base includes an integral tile flange on three sides, a stainless steel or white powder-coated hidden drain cover, and an option to add MTI’s Radiance integrated shower floor heating system. 

Hardware Refresh

One of the quickest and most effective ways to amp up the style in a home renovation is by adding new hardware. As something we see and use every day, door hardware is an essential accessory that can set the mood for an entire design space. 

Nostalgic Warehouse is proud of its extensive collection of classic hardware in an incredible array of styles and finishes. Choose from charming romantic styles (Cottage or Prairie), retro-inspired looks (Victorian or Deco), rustic styles (Craftsman or Mission) or classic sophistication (New York or Studio). 

All Nostalgic Warehouse hardware is crafted from solid brass and finished with painstaking detail to flawless perfection. Pieces may be mixed and matched with various backplates, knobs, levers and rosettes to create custom looks that will last beautifully and perform reliably for years to come.

Kitchen Extensions

Add dramatic style to the kitchen with statement plumbing fixtures. Once a standard in Victorian industrial kitchens, pot fillers are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as homeowners rediscover the convenience of an above-the-stove faucet. Barber Wilsons offers the Regent 260, a swinging arm pot filler inspired by 1890s style that is perfectly at home in today’s modern kitchens. 

It is a practical and beautiful choice for the kitchen that will be especially appreciated in multi-chef settings. Available with hot or cold settings, the tap comes with a standard 4-inch horizontal extension, with sizes available up to 8 inches, and is offered in a variety of finishes such as polished gold, brushed copper, weathered bronze and satin nickel.

Another great design idea for the kitchen faucet is the contemporary “professional” look often found in commercial settings. Isenberg captures this hard-working style perfectly with its K.2030 kitchen faucet. Notable for the graceful high arch of its spring spout, this single-handle faucet is easy to use with single lever control of water volume and temperature. 

The pull-down faucet offers maximum range of motion with a long reach for quick cleanup. Constructed of premium stainless steel, this beautiful faucet features a designated pot filler, single-hole installation and an optional matching soap dispenser. A wide range of finish choices includes traditional metallic looks as well as colorful options such as deep red, navy blue and dark green.

Stylish Storage for the Tub

Another offering from Isenberg provides an innovative way to add style and storage to the bathroom with its Cascade Waterfall tub filler. Its mesmerizing waterfall effect creates a soothing spa-like atmosphere with calming visual and audio cues. 

As an added benefit, it can do double-duty as a handy shelf, keeping luxurious soaps, bath salts and scented candles close at hand. It’s an elegant addition to the bathroom — infusing drama with a fresh, modern vibe. 

Created in the award-winning Isenberg Design Lab, this faucet is ideal for renovation projects with a simple 1/2-inch NPT connection for easy installation and an 8-inch spout reach. Constructed of solid brass, the Cascade Flow is offered in four beautiful finishes — brushed nickel, chrome, matte black and polished nickel. 

No Time to Wait

No one wants to wait for weeks on end to finish a renovation, especially when it comes to the bathroom. The Furniture Guild understands and created its Quick Ship program, which delivers custom vanities without a long delay. Its Guilder Series of vanities are top-quality, ready-made units available in three sizes and three different finishes. 

Customers also may choose from multiple hardware finishes and optional upgrades to further customize their look. Guilder vanities are contemporary modular units that work well on their own or may be paired or even stacked. As with all offerings from The Furniture Guild, the vanities are made in the United States by skilled craftsmen, keeping with the brand’s stringent quality standards.

Multitasking Shower System 

Trend studies reveal that showers are the new focal point in the bathroom. Lenova takes the shower to the next level with its Thermostatic Shower System, a must-have item for any bathroom remodel. This innovative system transforms an ordinary shower stall into a wellness hub with functions for every bather in the house. 

Designed with luxury, relaxation and cleanliness in mind, Lenova’s shower system features an advanced showerhead, multiple body sprayers and a hand-held sprayer, all crafted in solid brass components. Advanced technology allows temperature and volume functions to combine into one easy-to-operate valve, enhancing safety and convenience. 

Exceptional engineering maintains water temperature within 1 F, even when showers and sprayers are used simultaneously. The Thermostatic Shower System is a fashionable addition to the bathroom and is available in polished chrome or brushed nickel.

As we all look for ways to improve our homes and stretch every square foot’s usefulness, it is comforting to know so many great products exist and industry leaders are constantly working to innovate. Home improvements should always be made with aesthetics, comfort and functionality in mind, as well as the potential return on investment that comes from making smart purchase decisions for long-lasting, quality items. 

Here’s to the success of future home projects!