In today’s landscape of design trends, one theme that stands out is a new appreciation for unusual shapes.  Many top designers and manufacturers in the kitchen and bath industry are experimenting with new shapes, silhouettes and proportions as they look for ways to raise the bar for fresh, fashion-forward product lines.  We love the idea of a bold column-inspired freestanding sink, or an elliptical bathtub with an off-center tilt.  Interesting shapes can be dramatic and geometric or have a subtler elegance.  It’s all about creating visual interest and taking modern product designs to the next level in terms of style and innovation.

Victoria + Albert moves beyond traditional circular sinks with two new rectangular basins that bring fresh design options for the bathroom.  Both were previously available only as part of the company’s vanity furniture collection, but rising consumer demand prompted a new ‘solo’ version that allows homeowners and designers to create custom vanities to coordinate with the rest of the bathroom.  The Lario 100 Solo is a Victorian-inspired basin with graceful lines and a subtle rim detail, while the Mandello 114 Solo is notable for its singular shape meant to evoke a water drop as it touches the surface of the water.  Both sinks feature full width tap ledges and may be countertop mounted or semi-recessed.
www.vandabaths.com

Linear design is known for its sleek modern aesthetic.  The Furniture Guild captures the linear look perfectly with its new Avant 620 wall-mounted vanity.  Accented with distinctive metal trim, this taller-than-average vanity offers a 30-inch mounting height for a more comfortable user experience.  Its strong horizontal lines and contemporary vibe make a powerful style statement, while 50 different panel options and six stunning metal finishes allow for nearly unlimited design possibilities.  Built to exacting standards with eco-friendly materials, the Avant 620 is an heirloom-quality addition to any bathroom and includes custom sizing and an ingenious “drawer within a drawer” interior for smart storage solutions.
www.thefurnitureguild.com

ICERA appreciates the beauty of clean lines and offers the Richmond II toilet with a fully skirted bottom for a chic look that is sleek and minimalistic.  A redesigned version of one of its most popular toilets, the Richmond II offers a transitional style that works well in any décor.  A teardrop lever adds a touch of elegance, while the elongated bowl and one-piece design compliment the sophisticated vibe.  The inner workings of the Richmond II are true to ICERA’s superior plumbing standards, including a high-efficiency design with a fully glazed trapway and its signature EcoQuattro flushing system that combines flushing power, exceptional cleanliness and minimal water usage.
www.icerausa.com

With space at a premium in many of today’s bathrooms, MTI Baths has found a uniquely shaped sink design that conserves space and delivers impressive style.  Its new pedestal sinks are dramatic freestanding columns, perfectly sized for daily living, but consuming only a modest footprint in total square footage.  The Petra is a bold square column with clean angles and accommodation for a deck-mounted faucet.  The Halo is an elegant cylinder with soft curves and is compatible with a freestanding or wall-mounted faucet.  Both are impressive additions to any powder room or guest bath.  www.mtibaths.com

Nostalgic Warehouse embraces the juxtaposition of different shapes with its New York Collection of door plates and knobs.  Inspired by the iconic architecture of its namesake city, this collection pairs long rectangular door plates with smartly rounded knobs, creating a pleasing contrast of silhouettes that pairs well with traditional and contemporary design.  The look can be customized with crystal or porcelain knobs, or by choosing from eight different finishes.  Nostalgic Warehouse creates heirloom-quality hardware using hot-forged brass and real leaded glass crystal in a variety of different style motifs.  www.nostalgicwarehouse.com

Sometimes the most dramatic shapes are those with no defined shape at all.  The whimsical showerheads from Alex Miller Studio are a perfect example for the beauty of freeform design.  Inspired by the sea and sky, these extraordinary showerheads deliver a dreamy sense of fantasy to the bathroom.  Available in a lovely selection of finishes, they are part of a larger collection that includes tub faucets, towel bars and more to create a beautifully cohesive look.  The showerheads feature a 2-inch spray diameter with easy clean jets and are available with a water-saving 2.0 GPM flow.
www.alexmillerstudio.com

Bring a touch of classic design and regal detailing to the bathroom with the new Elizabeth Collection from Atlas Homewares.  This beautiful hardware is notable for its unusual octagonal pulls and crown-inspired knobs.  The collection includes a range of pull sizes in five fabulous finishes.  The Elizabeth hardware uses singular shapes to introduce a quiet elegance and sense of luxury to the bathroom.
www.atlastothetrade.com

Ruvati expands the functionality of the kitchen sink by taking design in a new horizontal direction.  Its 45-inch Workstation Sink is a full-fledged work space where prep and clean-up combine in one glorious center of kitchen efficiency.  The long horizontal sink includes two reversible cutting boards that fit on lower and upper tracks, as well as a roll-up rack and deep and shallow colanders.  Crafted of premium grade stainless steel with a 10-inch deep bowl, the sink is engineered for perfect water drainage with a 1-inch slope to the drain and a removable basket strainer for easy clean-up.  www.ruvati.com

YesterTec embraces the functionality of geometric design with its ingenious freestanding kitchen workstations.  For example, its UK66-LE mini-kitchen has an impressive rectangular design from the outside, similar to a handsome armoire.  But inside are a multitude of smaller shapes — drawers, shelves and bins.  There’s a 120 V induction cooktop, a sink, a solid surface countertop, and options for dishwasher, garbage disposal and refrigerator.  It’s a great solution for studio apartments, game rooms, guest suites and more.  Each YesterTec kitchen station is built by hand and includes standard UL Listed safety features.  www.yestertec.com

After reviewing the innovative products described here, it’s plain to see that the idea of experimenting with shape designs is a trend that is catching on across the industry.  It’s an impactful way for people to add style and drama to their homes without much fuss or effort.  We enjoy the creativity displayed in these collections and look forward to seeing the new yet-to-be-imagined shapes and designs that will be unveiled in the future.