• Furniture replaces cabinetry. Furniture is being introduced into the bathroom much as it has been in the kitchen. There is a trend toward less use of cabinetry and more furniture items, such as the console lavatory, to create a look that is unified with the bedroom.
• Contemporary look. Contemporary lines are echoed in the freestanding furniture pieces.
• floating cabinets. Many cabinets are taking on the “floating look," whereby they are attached to a wall instead of grounded on the floor.
sustainable Design
• Environmentally friendly products. Clients are continually becoming more pro-environment and looking for environmentally friendly products, including those made of recycled and renewable materials, to use in their homes.
• Water and energy saving fixtures. In addition to water and energy saving features, consumers want products that are low maintenance to reduce cleaning and the use of chemicals. They also want durable materials so they will not need to be replaced frequently.
• Chemical sensitivity. Many people are very sensitive to chemicals, so selecting products with low or no chemical emissions is important in these cases.
• efficient lighting. People in general desire bright spaces and the use of daylighting is bringing in an abundance of natural light for daytime use. Energy-efficient LED lighting is also becoming the lamp of choice for many purposes. You will find more information on sustainable design in chapter 3, “Environmental and Sustainability Considerations."
