Kitchen&Bath Renovations

When contractors are called in to tackle a home renovation and update in a kitchen or bath, they would be well advised to take a broader view of the job rather than focus on fixtures and hardware.

Stacey Breezeel is an interior designer and is part owner of Shine Interior Design Studio based in central Arkansas. She works closely, and regularly, with contractors for plumbing and HVAC to guide customers through their many choices in a project, which become more complex as designs and technology change.

Lighting may not be the first thing in mind for a shower installation, but lighting can radically change a room’s appeal. Likewise, HVAC systems can make homes more comfortable, which is a big selling point.

“There’s a lot of personalization coming right now. No one wants their home to necessarily look like somebody else’s,” she said. ”It’s not as much of like the keeping up with the Joneses, where you have that faucet that your neighbor has. It’s more of like this is what works for me and my situation and I’m proud of it.”

Focus On Customer Tastes

Customer demographics are a big part of planning a project. There is a range of what people want. Younger homeowners have different tastes than Baby Boomers, who are looking for a place where they can “age in place” and stay in their homes.

That means things like color choices come into play, with new colors and finishes on fixtures being used to create a special look for a bath or kitchen. Some manufacturers allow for custom accent color on sink handles, for instance, to create a distinct look. New finishes are being offered to give customers more choices than a chrome or gold light fixture.

Shower drains have become more versatile, replacing a standard drain. Linear plumbing systems are becoming easier to install because components can be assembled onsite.

“It’s more of a statement piece rather than everything matching,” Breezeel said.

New colors are offered by manufacturers to expand customer choices.

More Flexibility in Bathroom Designs

Many homeowners are also looking for better accessibility in bathrooms, particularly older people. Younger people also see a need to keep bathrooms flexible if they have family staying or guests who might need easy access.

“I think homes are making more space to have more generations so that accessibility, and like I mentioned aging in place, that’s something that is just going to become more and more important,” she said.

One popular feature is pull-out spray faucets for sinks and baths, because it makes bathing easier for many people.

A related option that contractors might think about is pitching spray faucets for pet-washing sinks or stations. They help contain the mess of cleaning up a reluctant pet.

Technology is changing, too. HVAC and lighting are increasingly connected in homes, which means factoring in automated processes to control comfort levels for homeowners, such as changing temperatures or lighting for different times of the day. Wireless charging stations or charging ports in a drawer are growing in popularity.

And screens. They’re everywhere, but they’re also becoming popular in kitchens and can become hubs for family members to keep up with schedules.

“Being able to have something that’s geared towards your family and having a calendar base of where you see everybody’s Google calendar, and what they’re up to. That is something that’s becoming part of like the kitchen hub.”

Right: More customers want extendable spray heads on faucets and bath fixtures to make them more versatile.

Living in a Healthy Home is Among Top Customer Wants

Comfort and increasing desires for healthier homes is also a central theme contractors should take note of. Water and air filtration systems are becoming more common as people become more concerned about potential contaminants entering their homes.

“It could be an opportunity to upsell. Take on a health spin and how you market. I think people are going to gravitate and be all over it.” Breezeel said.

As for planning ahead for stocking fixtures people want, Breezeel said focusing on lasting products is important. People will pay more for a faucet made of better metal and components because it will last longer and is repairable, unlike cheaper pieces that are meant to be replaced. Good fixtures can also help boost the price of a home in a sale.

Toilets are one area where Breezeel says contractors should stick with products that will work well and for a long time. Reducing water consumption is an issue, but homeowners should expect to have a toilet that will effectively remove waste.

As for pricing, she finds customers are generally in the middle for budgeting. They don’t want to spend too little or too much. Kitchens and baths are key areas in any home, though, and people will increase spending to make them comfortable, functional and stylish.

“Those are key areas that people are willing to spend a little bit more money on. Those are going to be the more unique, unique hardware, unique lighting, unique lighting fixtures, like the higher end” Breezeel said. “The kitchen, primary bath, laundry room and powder bath is where I see those upsell areas.”

Her overall advice for contractors is to think about installations that offer style and longevity, using fixtures and appliances that can be repaired and replaced, and look for opportunities to boost sales and customer satisfaction with well thought-out recommendations.