It’s all about “the splash” in the bathroom, says Perry Quick of Metzler Remodeling in Kansas City, Mo. “Everyone wants to make one, wants to be different, so there is no standard on anything anymore.” And there is no better way, Quick notes, for people to express themselves than through their sink choices. “The sink has a new life,” he says.
In an effort to make an impact in the bathroom, consumers are requesting a wider range of sink materials, and companies are creatively responding. Kohler, for example, introduced the Iron/Tones cast-iron lavatory collection featuring sinks made from 93 percent reclaimed and recycled iron. The company buys scrap iron, including pieces of old radiators and car parts, and melts it down to create a one-piece sink.
In addition to iron, other natural sink materials are emerging as “the push for sustainability and green products by consumers is greater than ever before,” according to Michael Zimber, founder of Stone Forest.
Nevertheless, pros are struggling to keep up with this fast-growing and somewhat vaguely defined trend. “People are trying to go green but don’t fully understand green,” said Ahmed Porter, founder and president of Washington, D.C.-based remodeling firm Elite Constructions, who says he often suggests conventional materials to customers because he knows them better. “Everyone is hearing about green materials for the sink, but few know how to use them. I’m working on becoming well-versed in the area.”
Some homeowners who want a unique lav may not be ready to start brushing their teeth over a wood basin. To meet these consumer needs, traditional acrylic sinks are being complemented with stone and wood countertops and synthetic material basins are emerging. Meanwhile, Julien released stainless steel sinks and Kohler has new distinctive glass lavs.
Color Remedy
Besides being crafted out of green materials, sinks also are green in color—and blue, brown, orange, and every other hue. Vibrant sinks are being used to help furniture fit in the bathroom much like it does in the living room, says Gray Uhl, American Standard’s director of design, by tying all design aspects together with a tone theme, whether earthy, bright or dark.
Consumers are turning to color for self expression and are using it to create warmth, he notes.
In addition, the emergence of new basin and countertop materials coincides with the continued use of stone, which is “becoming almost expected where it once was a luxury,” says Mike Terrill, senior product manager for Kohler. “With increased use of stone we see increased use of color,” he adds. “Colored sinks often complement stone better than stark white sinks, and people want to make stone choices more personalized as they are becoming so popular.”
Nevertheless, no one sink color is more popular than another because they are “dependent on personalities,” says Quick, who recently put a cobalt blue glass bowl with tile accents in a guest bath. “It looks gorgeous,” he says, “It’s a Japanese look with a blue Silestone [quartz] countertop, and the bowl is translucent and iridescent blue.”
Modern Design
As material and color statements are personifying the bathroom sink, design is becoming less extravagant. Manufacturers are embracing sleek, minimalist motifs and creating modern patterns that focus on simple shapes rather than ornate ones.
“More so than a trend toward new materials, we have seen a shift to claim modern design, geometric lines, and very simple forms that allow you to make very bold statements within those forms,” says Lenora Campos, spokesperson for Toto.
Toto’s Ethos collection, for instance, includes three minimalist yet creative lav designs meant to imitate the character of three U.S. cities: New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Other modern efforts are evident in Barclay’s Azteca basin, which plays with square edges and patterns to mimic an inverted Aztec pyramid, and the Mod collection by Vitra, featuring a square-shaped sink with a green pedestal leg. Meanwhile, Gerber added the Allerton suite, identified by square edges and clean lines, to its otherwise traditional collection.
Functionality Focus
Convenient maintenance features also are driving minimalist trends, says Quick, who claims “people don’t want drippy Baroque design with lots of curves and carvings” because they are difficult to clean. For the same reason, clients are choosing undermount lavs more often. “The most simple, easy-to-clean structure,” according to Quick.
Terrill echoes this observation. “One of the reasons new iron sinks are so popular is because they are one-piece, easy-to-reach integrated top-and-bowl sinks,” he says.
The trends toward functionality and self-expression through color and materials have baby boomer fingerprints all over them. “The boomers are a large group that will not be ignored, and they have a lot of money,” says Uhl. “They are going to choose products that make them feel good, including more storage space, higher sinks, and sinks that are easier to clean.”
Disposable income translates into a lot of vacationing and spa-going, inspiring boomers to bring that feeling home. New bathroom sink trends in minimalist designs and the use of natural material and color echo the spa theme.
“The homeowners are becoming more and more influenced by and aware of their surrounding environment,” says Terrill. “The hospitality [industry] and high-end hotels are exposing them to all these different elements. They are much more aware and conscious of alternatives.”
According to manufacturers, spa-like trends for the bathroom—including the increased use of green products—will continue during the next few years. “People want to bring the outdoors in as a way of mitigating stress,” Zimber says. “Bathrooms will continue to transform into the day spa, as homeowners will continue to crave soul-healing calm.” -- BUILDING PRODUCTS
 | Stone Forest. Moso bamboo lavs are durable, solid, lightweight, and water resistant, according to the manufacturer. To transform the woody evergreen into a minimalist sink, the interior soft part of the bamboo is removed, and the hard exterior part is laminated. 888-682-2987. www.stoneforest.com. |
| Gerber. The Allerton pedestal lav bridges traditional and contemporary styles with a square pedestal leg, a conventional basin, and deck space. One of three new toilet and lavatory suites in the Vitreous China Suites collection, Allerton is identified by clean lines and square edges. Lavs are 21 ½ inches wide and are available in white, bone, and biscuit. 630-679-1420. www.gerberonline.com. |  |
 | Barclay. The Azteca basin uses fireclay ceramic to mimic an inverted Aztec pyramid, with the outside displaying the steps in reverse format. The stand, made of polished aluminum, has a towel bar on each side and a shelf of rounded bars for additional towel storage space. 847-244-1234. www.barclayproducts.com. |
| Jacuzzi. The Era countertop sink has a classic design that will match both traditional and modern bathroom looks, the company says. Measuring 21 inches wide and 18 ½ inches front to back, the lav is made of vitreous china to match a variety of countertops. A coordinating toilet is available. 800-288-4002. www.jacuzzi.com. |  |
 | Coyote Glass Design. The Tuscany lav is inspired by Italian mosaic tile, featuring a simplified and more modern version of a braided pattern that has been in use for more than 1,000 years, according to the maker. The rectangular lav is available in gold, silver, or copper finishes. 254-947-0002. www.coyoteglass.com. |
| Decolav. The limited-edition Tempered checkered-glass vessel (spec) is part of the Translucence collection, which features glass bowls in various shapes, sizes, and colors. The black and white bowl measures 17 inches wide and 5 ½ inches high. 561-274-2110. www.decolav.com. |  |
 | Kohler. Combining cast iron with an ultra-thick layer of enamel, Cast Iron lavatories are made from 93 percent recycled and reclaimed materials. The sinks are durable and resist scratching and chipping, according to the maker. They come in a wide selection of colors and design lines that coordinate with various countertops. 920-457-4441. www.kohler.com. |
| Native Trails. Made from hand-hammered copper, the distinct texture of the rectangular Hana lavatory provides a contemporary yet rustic look for the bathroom. The sink, which features an angular lip that sits 1 ½ inches above the countertop, is available in brushed nickel and antique finishes. The sink complements the Old World vanity base made of reclaimed wood. 800-786-0862. www.nativetrails.net. |  |
 | Neptune. The Tasani polymer vessel measures 32 inches wide by 17 inches deep by 4 inches tall, eliminating splashes outside of the sink, says the firm. Imposing a Zen twist on a modern European style, the vessel is wide and flat with a smooth white surface that is simple and straightforward. 450-773-7058. www.neptuneb.com. |
| Julien. The Stainless Steel bathroom collection features freestanding or wall-mount lav consoles with countertop choices of Carrera marble or CaesarStone in select colors. The 15 models range from “almost square” undermounts for a subtle design element, to above-counter and set-in versions that make a focused statement, according to the maker. 866-901-5624. www.julien.ca. |  |
 | Porcher. The Tetsu oval glass bowl is made of ½-inch annealed glass that adds depth and character to the rim. It is available in clear glass that has a green tint along the rim and other parts of the curved surface of the bowl, depending on light source and placement. The grid drain and base come in chrome. 800-359-3261. www.porcher-us.com. |
| Vitra. Inspired by a client who requested a clean bathroom solution that would elevate the mid-segment product range, according to the maker, the Mod collection mimics architecture of contemporary industrial design with its square basin and green pedestal leg. During the production process, the designer intentionally lightened the ceramic and reduced material mass to make the sink light and compact. 877-658-4872. www.vitra-usa.com. |  |