10 USA Tapware Trends for Kitchens and Baths in 2022
See the latest styles, finishes, features and other tapware trends featured at the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
Kitchen and bathroom tapware comprise some of the most common upgrades during renovation projects. As such, manufacturers respond every year with new tapware styles, finishes and features to align with current trends. And many of those manufacturers with a presence in the USA market use the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to launch their new tapware collections. Here’s a snapshot of fresh trends that debuted in February this year at the 2022 USA trade show in Orlando, Florida.
Delta’s new Westville pull-down tap features a transitional design and a magnetic docking station for the nozzle. It will be available soon in the USA.
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2. Commercial style
This style of tapware, often seen in commercial restaurant kitchens, is experiencing a bit of a renaissance in the USA. Several manufacturers launched or expanded commercial-style designs this year. It’s part of a broader trend emerging post-pandemic: a back-to-basics strategy that seeks to modernise industrial-style plumbing fixtures.
Moen launched a collection of what it calls ‘spring galley faucets’ in three styles. The Belfield, shown here in a matt-black finish, is a compact industrial-meets-modern-farmhouse style. The collection will be available later this year in the USA.
This style of tapware, often seen in commercial restaurant kitchens, is experiencing a bit of a renaissance in the USA. Several manufacturers launched or expanded commercial-style designs this year. It’s part of a broader trend emerging post-pandemic: a back-to-basics strategy that seeks to modernise industrial-style plumbing fixtures.
Moen launched a collection of what it calls ‘spring galley faucets’ in three styles. The Belfield, shown here in a matt-black finish, is a compact industrial-meets-modern-farmhouse style. The collection will be available later this year in the USA.
3. Touch, touchless and other tech features
There’s been a lot of innovation in recent years with integrated tech features in tapware. It’s been a gradual progression and one that’s still getting a feel for what homeowners want.
Brizo’s new Tulham line, shown here, features the brand’s SmartTouch technology, which lets a user tap the spout to turn the water on and off. There’s also an LED light that changes colour to indicate water temperature. It will be available in the USA in mid-2022.
There’s been a lot of innovation in recent years with integrated tech features in tapware. It’s been a gradual progression and one that’s still getting a feel for what homeowners want.
Brizo’s new Tulham line, shown here, features the brand’s SmartTouch technology, which lets a user tap the spout to turn the water on and off. There’s also an LED light that changes colour to indicate water temperature. It will be available in the USA in mid-2022.
Delta’s new Monrovia collection will feature similar technology. You can tap anywhere on the spout or handle, and it doesn’t have to be with wet or grimy fingertips. Use the back of your hand, a forearm or an elbow to tap and activate or deactivate the flow of water. The temperature and flow will be where you last positioned the handle.
Moen’s new Smart Faucet With Motion Control offers several hands-free functions. Tap to turn the water on and off. Or motion forward to turn it on; wave left to turn the water warm; wave right to turn it cold; motion forward to turn it off.
You can also connect the faucet to an Amazon Alexa or Google Home to issue voice commands, such as “Alexa, tell Moen to give me a cup of water.” It’s set to be released in July 2022.
You can also connect the faucet to an Amazon Alexa or Google Home to issue voice commands, such as “Alexa, tell Moen to give me a cup of water.” It’s set to be released in July 2022.
Moen’s new Haelyn pull-down kitchen tap will feature new ColorCue technology that includes an LED ring around the nozzle dock that indicates water temperature in five ranges. Blue indicates cold water below 27 degrees celsius. Purple is warm, between 32 and 37 degrees. And red is hot, above 42 degrees.
4. Mixing finishes
One popular tapware trend emerging in recent years is the mixing of finishes and materials. This was initially rendered as dramatically contrasting finishes, such as Kohler’s bathroom tap, featured below, in hues of black and gold. But some manufacturers are taking a more subtle approach.
Brizo’s new Tulham line, for example, features a tone-on-tone effect. The example shown here displays a mostly matt-black finish with levers and bands in Brizo’s Brilliance Black Onyx finish.
One popular tapware trend emerging in recent years is the mixing of finishes and materials. This was initially rendered as dramatically contrasting finishes, such as Kohler’s bathroom tap, featured below, in hues of black and gold. But some manufacturers are taking a more subtle approach.
Brizo’s new Tulham line, for example, features a tone-on-tone effect. The example shown here displays a mostly matt-black finish with levers and bands in Brizo’s Brilliance Black Onyx finish.
Here’s a one-handle style in Brizo’s Tulham collection, with luxe polished gold-toned banding.
Browse contemporary kitchens by Australian designers
Browse contemporary kitchens by Australian designers
Bathroom
5. Lever handles
It’s hard to deny the abundance of widespread lever handle designs in new bathroom tapware. And it’s interesting to see all the various interpretations of levers that manufacturers have dreamed up.
Brizo’s new Allaria collection, available in mid-2022 in the USA, features a this tap with lever handles, which resemble twisted ribbon.
5. Lever handles
It’s hard to deny the abundance of widespread lever handle designs in new bathroom tapware. And it’s interesting to see all the various interpretations of levers that manufacturers have dreamed up.
Brizo’s new Allaria collection, available in mid-2022 in the USA, features a this tap with lever handles, which resemble twisted ribbon.
6. Wheel knobs
Similar to new commercial-style kitchen taps, these are another result of manufacturers looking to modernise industrial-style plumbing fixtures. Wheel knobs were found on many of the first plumbing parts and are still used in many commercial applications. Several manufacturers picked up on that detail and introduced elegant takes on wheel knob designs.
Brizo released the Litze tap with wheel handles, shown here in Brilliance Polished Nickel.
Similar to new commercial-style kitchen taps, these are another result of manufacturers looking to modernise industrial-style plumbing fixtures. Wheel knobs were found on many of the first plumbing parts and are still used in many commercial applications. Several manufacturers picked up on that detail and introduced elegant takes on wheel knob designs.
Brizo released the Litze tap with wheel handles, shown here in Brilliance Polished Nickel.
8. Single-handle designs
Speaking of single-handle tapware, many manufacturers are releasing new collections in a single-handle design. Some homeowners find this style saves vanity-top space and is easier to clean around than, say, a widespread design.
Delta launched Saylor, shown here, a transitional-style design with a geometric spout, gently flared base and subtle industrial-inspired handle.
Speaking of single-handle tapware, many manufacturers are releasing new collections in a single-handle design. Some homeowners find this style saves vanity-top space and is easier to clean around than, say, a widespread design.
Delta launched Saylor, shown here, a transitional-style design with a geometric spout, gently flared base and subtle industrial-inspired handle.
9. Traditional and vintage styles
While transitional styles certainly dominate a lot of the new tapware collections, some manufacturers are expanding their more traditional offerings.
Kohler extended its Riff kitchen collection into the bathroom. The company says the elegant, sturdy look is inspired by French Creole and Spanish Colonial architecture.
While transitional styles certainly dominate a lot of the new tapware collections, some manufacturers are expanding their more traditional offerings.
Kohler extended its Riff kitchen collection into the bathroom. The company says the elegant, sturdy look is inspired by French Creole and Spanish Colonial architecture.
10. Water monitoring
A lot of attention gets placed on the look of tapware, but a growing area of interest is on water conservation and usage monitoring.
Moen’s Smart Water Network lets homeowners control and monitor their water usage to conserve as needed. It can also detect leaks and notify you in the event. If you’re away on holiday, you can remotely shut the water off and flush the pipes to prevent bacterial contamination or freezing.
Kohler’s H2Wise system performs functions similar to Moen’s Smart Water Network. It also features AI capabilities that learn your water use over time so you can make more informed decisions.
Your turn
Have you noticed your clients asking for any of these trends yet? Share your experiences in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images and join the conversation with other pros on Houzz.
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A lot of attention gets placed on the look of tapware, but a growing area of interest is on water conservation and usage monitoring.
Moen’s Smart Water Network lets homeowners control and monitor their water usage to conserve as needed. It can also detect leaks and notify you in the event. If you’re away on holiday, you can remotely shut the water off and flush the pipes to prevent bacterial contamination or freezing.
Kohler’s H2Wise system performs functions similar to Moen’s Smart Water Network. It also features AI capabilities that learn your water use over time so you can make more informed decisions.
Your turn
Have you noticed your clients asking for any of these trends yet? Share your experiences in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images and join the conversation with other pros on Houzz.
More
Want more for pros? Don’t miss Step It Up: How to Attract Luxury Clients to Your Houzz Profile
1. Pull-down designs
You’d be hard pressed to find a kitchen tap these days in the USA without a pull-down function. This feature allows homeowners to extend the spray nozzle to rinse vegetables, fill pots and clean the sink basin.
Many manufacturers are updating existing collections and launching new ones that include a pull-down function in a range of styles.
Delta debuted its Monrovia collection, shown here. It’s a soft contemporary pull-down style that comes in four finishes. There’s also an add-on protective coat, called Lumicoat, that resists stains and mineral build-up.