The NAHB, AIA, U.S. Census Bureau, AARP, and now kitchen and bath product manufacturers are all telling builders, remodelers, and architects to prepare for the impending Baby Boom aging boom. Last week at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) several manufacturers introduced new products to address the large wave of homeowners who will soon need more accessibility, glare-free diffused lighting, and a higher level of comfort. These particular products focus on improving the appearance of Universal Design in the bathroom, where grab bars and shower seats tend to be clunky and look institutional.
Moen’s decorative grab bars go beyond adding a little flair to being a perfect match for several of their bath suites—one new collection, Arris, was designed around the grab bar. The company has also integrated accessories such as towel racks, shower shelves, and toilet paper holders with the bars. Fluerco’s new shower basins with built-in seats feature subtle storage spaces within easy reach either inside or outside the shower. And Robern’s most recent medicine cabinet design isn't really a cabinet at all, but a bathroom mirror with a roomy open shelf to easily place and retrieve toiletries, plus vertical lighting for reduced glare and shadows.
