Design teams around the world are stepping up their game when it comes to imagining creative products for the kitchen and bath. From Texas to the heart of Italy, product engineers are reinventing the function of these most important spaces in the home — and adding new layers of visual and architectural interest. 

The home continues to be more essential than ever with demands for multitasking and increased levels of hygiene. Here is a closer look at some brilliant manufacturers leading the way with crucial new design concepts.

Indoor Herb Garden

Isenberg Design Lab has earned a stellar reputation for innovation with award-winning faucets for the kitchen and bath. Headquartered in Dallas, the state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest software for 3D modeling and prototyping. It is led by Prakhar Kumar Jain, a renowned designer trained as a mechanical engineer. The Isenberg team has delivered several fascinating product enhancements that are smart additions to improve the kitchen’s function and cleanliness. 

One of our favorites is the ingenious Herb Garden, a self-watering system that brings the beauty and freshness of live plants into the kitchen. Indoor gardening is a “growing” trend, and Isenberg makes it easy to enjoy fresh herbs literally within arm’s reach. Individual planters are paired with a watering system and attached with a quick-release valve covered when not in use. 

This is a wonderful addition to the kitchen on many levels — the lovely visual of green plants, the aromatic smells of fresh herbs and the satisfaction of self-sufficiency while cooking. 

Trending Technology

Keeping the sink clean is an essential part of kitchen hygiene. Isenberg’s new Sink Basin Sprayer goes beyond the traditional kitchen faucet and incorporates handy sprayers along the sink’s upper perimeter. 

The multidirectional nozzles feature sensor-activated zones that operate in different modes — one for flushing the sink walls for a quick and easy rinse, while the other is for rinsing produce with a 360-degree wash. The system is simple to operate and can make such a difference with daily chores of cooking and cleaning. 

Sanitizing Sink

Isenberg elevates the kitchen’s cleaning possibilities with its new UV Sanitizer, which harnesses the power of ultraviolet light to efficiently kill harmful bacteria on dishes, cutlery, and even fresh fruits and veggies. 

Designed to function within the sink, this impressive product uses magnetic pogo pins built into the sink and UV lights on the removable lid. The unit is self-operating when the lid is closed to provide maximum sanitation; it lights up to signal cleaning status alerts. With today’s ongoing emphasis on germ avoidance, the UV Sanitizer is an essential addition to the kitchen with potential health benefits to impact the whole family.

Smart Faucet

Another notable from Isenberg Design Lab is its Smart Faucet Control, bringing simple touch functionality to all aspects of water flow. Users operate the faucet through preset membrane switch buttons and an easy-to-read LCD/OLED display with gesture controls. 

The smart control provides impressive operation over every aspect of water function, including volume, temperature, pressure and even filter status. This faucet is a smart choice for busy kitchens with multiple chefs or multigenerational households where avoiding potential scalding is a priority.

Custom Dimensional Vanity

There is something so restorative about the sound of falling water. MTI Baths has brought the soothing effects of a waterfall to the bathroom with its extraordinary new Terra Waterfall Vanity. This three-dimensional vanity sink can be customized to reflect any topographic map, mimicking hills and valleys per customer request. 

The sink is graduated to direct the water flow in the basin toward a waterfall, which slips gently over the right-hand side and flows smoothly towards a floor-mounted drain. The waterfall’s soft, rushing sound and the striking visual make this luxurious vanity a true standout piece in any bathroom. 

MTI’s proprietary SculptureStone material is made of engineered solid stone and approximately 70 percent organic. The vanity is nonporous and resistant to stain and mildew with a glossy, hand-polished finish.

Mod Mixer + Shower Shelf 

Gessi brings cutting-edge technology and nostalgic style to the bathroom with its Hi-Fi Shelf. The Italian design powerhouse has created a retro-inspired thermostatic mixer that captures the iconic look and feel of a 1980s stereo. The system delivers a thoroughly impressive shower experience with precision control of all aspects of water flow. 

As part of Gessi’s signature Private Wellness program, the Hi-Fi Shelf amplifies the pleasure of the shower. The control knobs have been designed to mimic the tactile sensation of period stereo sets with clicking knobs and tuning dials while using interactive graphic icons to control water flow and temperature with perfect accuracy. The shelf design stores technical components safely inside while providing a convenient shelf for shampoo bottles and other bathing necessities. 

This design is well-suited for renovation projects or installations settings without sufficient space behind the shower wall. The mixers control a wide range of luxurious options, such as hand sprayers, body jets and showerheads. Users can program their settings and enjoy a custom shower experience at the turn of a knob or click of a button. 

We admire the dedication of industry leaders like these who continually push design boundaries to create products that enhance homes and protect families. Today’s consumers gravitate toward products that provide lasting value and benefit, in addition to simply adding to the beauty of the surrounding space. Products that accomplish both — that manage to look good while improving wellness — will stand the test of time and set new standards for future designs.