Bath Products Review: Bath AccessoriesClassy Coordinates: Bathroom accessories that match faucets and other products are making a splash in the bathroom.

It's not polite to steal things from a luxury hotel's bathroom, but people aren't snatching embroidered towels or miniature shampoo bottles.

Instead, consumers are taking the coordinated style associated with upscale hotels into their homes, which is one of the factors spurring the evolution of matching accessories in residential bathrooms.

Many plumbing fitting manufacturers offer bathroom suites, so pros can head to one company for faucets and accessories, grabbing hold of a complete, cohesive look. Matching products offer the one-stop shopping contractors and their clients crave.

"It provides convenience for the builder and consumer," says Debra Moore, owner of Custom Design/Build in Ann Arbor, Mich.

As the role of accessories in the bath increases, so does the range of products. Builders and remodelers now can find so much more than just the basic towel bar, including glass shelves, hotel racks, light fixtures, tumblers, soap dishes, toilet paper holders, and even wall-mounted toilet bowl brushes made to match faucets.

"Every little place now that we can think to decorate, we definitely take advantage of," says Tim Bitterman, senior product and brand manager for Moen. "Two years ago, no one would have thought of a decorative tank lever."

The wider selection of accessories gives customers a chance to personalize their baths. For example, using an oil-rubbed-bronze robe hook or a chrome wall-mounted toilet brush, homeowners can add individual flair without compromising the consistency of a look.

"You do not have to buy it exactly as you see in a catalog or showroom," says Noah Taft, vice president of sales and marketing for California Faucets. "The days of everyone on the block having the exact same look are over."

But, a lot depends on the finishes available, and chrome and brushed nickel remain the most popular.

"I think that is mostly because, when a homeowner goes and picks out a faucet, 99 percent of what they can pick out is chrome," says Craig Guido, a production manager for Almar Building & Remodeling in Hanson, Mass.

Warmer finishes like oil-rubbed bronze and weathered looks are on the rise and more manufacturers are widening their selections. And bath suites in these finishes enable pros to easily provide a vast selection of options.

"It allows them to offer upgrades," says Cynthia Lewis, a market researcher for Delta, "without having to search around for other vendors for a finish match."

Fashion Statements

Accessory fashions also are changing. In the past, American tastes leaned toward traditional styles or period pieces, like Victorian or Art Deco. These days, a more minimal style is making its way into the market. Focused on clean lines and simple geometry, the contemporary look is marked with European influence.

"The design that I saw in Europe 10 years ago is getting over here now," says Lars Christensen, product manager for Hansgrohe North America. "I think people are traveling more. People go to Milan, they go to Rome and Paris, and they see what is going on. With almost everybody having a laptop or a PC, I think that is where it comes from."

Still, emphasis is being placed on functionality. For instance, Lewis says Delta is offering a towel bar that includes robe hooks.

But styling is just as important. "A whole level of design is incorporated when they used to be just afterthoughts," says Moore.

A good example is the growing array of stylish grab bars. In the past, no one wanted to own up to needing one of the institutional-looking devices. But builders and remodelers say they're installing more grab bars than ever before.

"Ten years ago, homeowners were reluctant to put them in," says Guido. "Now homeowners are realizing ... they're no longer just the ugly white ones you used to get. They are available in a lot of colors and sizes."

But with increased finishes and design details come higher prices. "More ornate designs require more attention during the manufacturing process," says Sara Maduscha, product manager for bathroom faucets for Kohler.

Although many manufacturers such as Kohler, Delta, and Moen have product lines that span multiple price points, some remodelers and builders say clients who can't afford luxury items turn to big box retailers for affordable accessories.

"When budget comes to mind, they go to Home Depot and buy the towel rack," says Meredith English, design coordinator for Gayler Construction in Danville, Calif. "It's $150 for a robe hook, and they think, 'We can find that at Restoration Hardware and Home Depot for a lot less.'"

Still, many homeowners are unwilling to compromise on style. "While price is the issue, I don't think it is the main issue," says Taft. "A person is not going to give up on the look."

–BP

Toasty Towels

It's no secret that the bathroom has grown in size and morphed from a utilitarian room to a haven for luxury and spa-like relaxation.

"People are building it so large you can hold a dinner party in there," quips Noah Taft of California Faucets.

So it's no surprise that the towel warmer is taking its place in today's bathrooms.

"They actually make racks now that are heated either with water or oil, or with electricity," says Debra Moore, owner of Custom Design/Build, "so they are warm when you get out of the shower."

Lower-end models plug into an electrical outlet, and more expensive fixtures are hard wired and mounted onto the wall.

While fulfilling the universal love of a fresh, warm towel, the heaters also bring style to the bath. Some are offered in unique shapes and others feature natural stone backings. Most plumbing fitting manufacturers don't offer matching towel warmers, but other firms provide them in a variety of styles and sizes.

–Victoria Markovitz