The term ‘family bathroom’ is used a lot nowadays.  We see it the papers, in the magazines and in those very slightly irritating yet entirely compulsive DIY programmes on the TV.  But what, exactly, is a ‘family bathroom.’

“The term is being used more and more” explains Yvonne Orgill, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, “and it now seems to be the favourite tag for those bathrooms which are definitely not the ‘ensuite.’ Family bathrooms are designed for everyone in the home and not just for the inhabitants of the master bedroom.”

The Adam Furniture Group occupies a large facility in Droylsden, Greater Manchester where their product ranges have been designed and manufactured since 1973. The company has built its reputation on both the quality of its products and the high level of service offered to customers. As one of the few truly independent UK manufacturers in the industry, it has an impressive portfolio and is keen to establish new links with reputable retailers like you.

The Flores towel warmer range represents the best possible value for money in a designer radiator, combined with the quality for which Purmo is renowned. Available in white, chrome and a range of specialist colours, Purmo’s Flores allows homeowners on a budget to add a designer touch to any bathroom.

The Zehnder Roda towel rail is fitted with an integral warm-air fan to provide additional comfort functionality that ensures towels and bathrooms are warm and cosy 365 days a year.

Discreetly positioned behind the centrally heated radiator, the manually-operated fan offers instant heat at the touch of a button. Running for preset periods of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 or 2 hours, the Zehnder Roda offers efficient, economical and controllable comfort, ideal for times when the central heating system is not in use or when an additional boost is required.

Taking the concept of ladder-style radiators to a new level, Bosporus from Aeon is sure to appeal to contemporary homeowners.

Increasing in depth from base to top, the intriguing five-rung design incorporates a box-shaped airing shelf, ideal for storing folded or rolled towels to warm.

Orbit is an eye-catching, asymmetrical towel radiator from Bisque, the original name in designer radiators.

Made from superior-quality, stainless steel with a flawless mirror finish, this model can be used on both central heating and hot water systems. It suits any style of bathroom, traditional or contemporary.

As a leading supplier of quality wall-hung bathroom accessories Croydex recognises the vital role they can play in the overall look and feel of the bathroom and as such the company is continually adding to its extensive product collection to keep it’s offering current and fresh.

There are nearly 20 ranges to choose from in the Croydex accessories collection combining design innovation and top quality manufacturing to offer something to suit any style of bathroom.

Designed for use with Geberit’s Duofix UP200 range of concealed WC frames and cisterns, the Geberit Kappa21 flushplate impresses immediately with its barely there profile and simple flat push buttons. Available in a host of designer-led finishes like gloss chrome, matt chrome, white and black, the Kappa21 takes on a pioneering new design role in the bathroom, transforming the functional into pure form. This is no longer just a flushplate, it’s sculptural wall art.

Schell has produced four angle valves competitively priced with subtly different styling to complement the taps in a basin or bath. In a high quality chrome finish over a brass body with up-to-the-minute appeal, the variations lie in the conformation of the hand knob on the valve end.

The SONO has a plain twist finish, the PINT a small upright circular-section bar for operation, the WING with a single square flange on top to take the finger easily while the 4WING has a full four-blade wing nut form.

The Abode ranges of bathroom brassware and showers are created with a perfect blend of design, performance and quality.

Serenitie has fluidity of design lines with clean smooth shapes, matched with quarter turn valve technology. The heavyweight chrome Serenitie 5 piece bath filler with shower diverter consists of a tall, elegant thin swan neck spout, modern cross head taps, shower handset and diverter – a perfect set of taps for new build or refurbishment projects.

Intatec is making a splash currently with Mio – a shower and tap range full of contrasts, with its solid, rectangular valve styling combined with an elegantly arcing fixed riser and the unexpected combination of black and highly polished chrome finishes.

The Mio taps – like all Intatec’s taps – come with an eco-stop flow restrictor free of charge, making the taps Water Wise compliant as standard at no extra cost. This device helps to reduce water usage and contributes to overall household water consumption calculations for projects which are required to comply with new building regulations.

One hugely successful example of Pegler Yorkshire’s research and development is the Strata range of brassware - part of the distinguished Francis Pegler portfolio.

“Strata’s tubular and cylindrical style is fresh and modern in its design credentials,” comments product market manager Mike Dickinson. “The feature that has particularly generated interest is the textured finger grip that is featured on all models in the range. It demonstrates a finishing touch that is cast into the design of the lever and provides for precise control of temperature and flow.”

Matching brassware across the whole bathroom has often posed a problem when the shower fittings and mixer taps are from two or more different manufacturers.

Hudson Reed now offers a proper solution to this problem with a wide range of different brassware where the mixers, taps and shower fittings are all coordinated to provide a cohesive look for any bathroom.

Beautiful craftmanship in stunning chrome is the hallmark of the Elite range of basin and bath fittings from Crosswater, the pioneer in chic, affordable bathroom innovation.

Elite is so subtle and simple that it is perfect for all modern bathrooms; it accommodates all bathroom designs and colours and each piece is really easy to use with single lever operation.

Inspired by the Empire State Building in New York City, the bold clean lines of B.C. Sanitan’s Empire suite draws on the Art Deco style of the 1920s which has universal appeal. Not as ornate as other items within the company’s product portfolio, Empire would sit comfortably within most bathroom styles from Art Deco to classic.

Launched at the international ISH exhibition in Frankfurt, and already fully available to UK retailers, the new S20 range of bathroom sanitaryware and associated brassware products has proved a runaway success with UK retailers.

The S20 collection of products can be encapsulated on two words – “affordability” and “versatility”.

At ISH 2011, Duravit presented a veritable cavalcade of products offering design, innovative functionality and new ideas for the bathroom.

Esplanade

In collaboration with the German-Russian architect, Sergei Tchoban, Esplanade is a new series consisting of ceramic, furniture and bathtubs. Named after the grand streets in France, the designer harks back to the 18th and 19th centuries when bathroom furnishings were still regarded as furniture and thus the various elements feature generous dimensions and soft forms. The bathtub resembles a chaise longue, the toilet an antique chair and the wash basin with vanity a chest of drawers.

The wait is over; Jacuzzi UK is excited to announce that its new family of baths, ‘Conforto’, is now in manufacture and from 1st May this exciting collection will be available for homeowners to enjoy.

With the understanding that every customer that steps through a showroom door will have a different set of requirements, the Conforto family of baths was engineered to ensure pleasure regardless of space or size. The family will, by the end of 2011, comprise whirlpool, non-whirlpool and over bath screen options and within each category, built in, true-corner and off-set corner versions will be available, in a range of sizes.

British brand, Victoria + Albert Baths is having a busy 2011 launching new contemporary product as part of its Premium Collection.

The ios 54 countertop basin (shown) mirrors the style and design of the uber compact ios bath. At just 540mm long, it is ideal for en suites as well as ‘his-and-hers' configurations. Made from QUARRYCAST®, Victoria + Albert’s exclusive material that is rich in volcanic limestone, the one piece ios 54 is naturally white and hand finished.

The establishment of its British subsidiary by the Italian sanitaryware manufacturer Galassia now guarantees that the iconic M2 range is available for UK delivery.

M2, by designer Romano Adolini retains the clean lines that made minimalism so popular in recent years, but has produced the softer, more rounded look at the cutting edge of bathroom design today.

RAK ceramics have launched a new bespoke porcelain slab cutting service to complement its range of under-mounted vanity bowls and basins. The company manufactures the largest porcelain slabs in the industry in sizes up to 1795mm x 1195mm and the material is less expensive than marble, quartz or granite.

Romano

Romano is the latest evolution of a cherry effect finish, replacing the popular Celenza. Romano has warmer tones and increased colour variations within the design and is supplied on a matching cabinet.

Romano should prove to be an exceptionally popular mid coloured woodgrain timber effect finish and become a future classic.

Combining a sense of style with pioneering spirit, perfecting the synthesis of comfort and elegance whilst never losing sight of the meticulous passion for detail – this is a task that Kaldewei faces time and again in the development of new products.

Continuing to inspire by design, leading British furniture manufacturer Mereway Bathrooms now offer one of the broadest collections of cabinets, basins, sanitaryware and accessories available in the market.

Mereway Bathrooms are enjoying the success of their recently launched modular style basin units which host their stunning collection of contemporary gel cast basins. The range of door and drawer configurations all offer a freestanding look whilst retaining the flexibility of Mereway Bathrooms’ much loved Infinity fitted range.

At Ellis Furniture our high standards and outstanding attention to detail continue to cement our reputation for being one of the most trusted and secure brands in today’s marketplace, making us a partner you can rely on to help make your business a success.

H&H is a brand new furniture range from Roca designed to offer maximum choice when it comes to storage solutions – a key consideration for modern bathrooms.

Designed to complement the existing Hall and Happening basins, H&H comprises a total of eleven modular, square base units in varying sizes and formats, as well as a coordinating wall-hung column unit. The units are available in a choice of three finishes: Walnut; Gloss Anthracite Grey and Gloss Beige.

Bushboard’s Nuance range is a stand-out concept in bathroom surfacing which uniquely offers waterproof panels, worksurfaces and upstands in both laminate and solid surfacing. Waterproof wall panelling is already known to the market, but what marks Nuance out is the extensive choice of designs, materials and ready-made components that enable use throughout the whole of the bathroom.

At Venetian Bathrooms we are well known for our popular fitted furniture and Lindo modular units, however have you considered the Ravello® collection which offers quality furniture with the added flexibility of being freestanding?

Shades Bathrooms has introduced the Aspen collection, featuring the latest in contemporary styling in crisp white with a quality high gloss finish.

Extremely versatile, Aspen offers endless design possibilities, enabling various furniture pieces to be combined to suit the space available and create a truly individual look.

Palamas is the stunning new range of bathroom furniture for en suites from HiB made from high grade water-resistant boards finished in high quality painted gloss in White or Calico. Top of the range smooth Blum drawer runners are fitted with integrated Blumotion soft close.

VADO’s success in over 60 countries worldwide can be attributed to four guiding principles; innovation, design, quality and service. Strict quality assurance processes ensure VADO operates beyond ISO 9001 strictness when it comes to production control with exacting tolerances and rigorous quality checks throughout the manufacturing and assembly procedures. Whether driven by customer requirement or a desire to create products that work to minimise environmental damage, VADO’s product development team continually strive to develop exciting and innovative product ranges whose diverse designs range from contemporary waterfall style spouts to handle options in different colours and materials.

Showerwall has been selected by Showerlux to be part of company’s new all-in-one concept for bathroom retailers for new or replacement in-store displays. Showerlux is offering a discounted showering package comprising tray, enclosure, shower valve, waterproof wall panelling and towel radiator with the flexibility to choose from an extensive range of products and designs.

With its great looks, built-to-last quality and two shower heads, Aqualisa’s Dual shower offers a package that, combined with ease of installation, looks set to make it the perfect choice for discerning families.

Using a top quality, brass-bodied exposed thermostatic bar valve, Dual features a main drencher-style showerhead and a versatile, height adjustable multi-mode handset.

For more than 85 years Bohle Ltd has been synonymous with quality hardware and consumables, and a comprehensive range will be on show at KBB London. The display includes the KL-megla Atlantica shower hinge which features a unique by-pass seal which prevents water escaping through the hinge. Atlantica is offered in a variety of finishes including a 24-carat gold plated. The hinge can be set to close to any angle with a fully adjustable zero position. Bohle also offers a range of own-brand, high quality shower door hardware.

Creda Showers has launched the AquaNoir electric shower which offers a stylish yet affordable solution that will look at home in any contemporary bathroom.

The striking ‘all black’ frosted facia and ‘matt black’ panel contrast with the illuminated controls to provide modern styling while the chrome multi-spray mode accessory kit complements the overall look of the shower.

Showerwall, the 100% waterproof wall panelling range, offers a palette of twenty four designs, including fashionable stones and granites which are extremely design versatile for domestic and contract interiors.

Top selling designs include those inspired by actual stone from the Torreano area in Italy. Torreano Sand, Torreano Stone and Torreano Marone offer a palette of popular contemporary neutral tones complemented by high gloss texture which offer a realistic stone look but without the costs and length of time associated with natural stone, or the ongoing maintenance.

With the development of Ecostat Select, Hansgrohe has re-invented exposed thermostats. At first glance the function is hidden as these extraordinary thermostatic shower and bath mixers look like large shelves. Although the Ecostat Select is not much bigger than standard bar-style thermostats, it can be flush-mounted onto the wall offering an elegant solution for concealing connections. The wide top, in choice of white or mirrored finish, is made from high quality safety glass through which large, easy-to-understand symbols for controlling water flow and temperature can be clearly viewed. Ergonomically shaped handles allow for easy operation and the entire housing is air insulated to guarantee a comfortable surface temperature.

Available across a wide choice of award-winning design styles to fit all interior styles, budgets and installation situations GROHE’s comprehensive range of Shower Systems feature innovative technology that offers safe, comfortable and an unrivalled showering experience.

Below is just a taster of what to expect from the German Manufacturers.

In respect of the latest digital showers, Mira’s Platinum is bristling with innovations to make showering an even more pleasurable experience.

It can be programmed to allow a number of functions to be set including shower duration, maximum and minimum temperatures and flow rates, as well as a warm up mode and eco mode. There’s even a clock display to keep an eye on the time.

Consistently producing beautiful shower enclosures that take pride of place in any bathroom, Manhattan has never underestimated the need to incorporate innovative design features that help maintain the look and functionality of each product.

Walk-in showers and wet rooms are the way forward, we all know that. Now, thanks to the trusted Dry-Deck 20, you can install a beautiful modern wet room easily and affordably anywhere in a building.

The Dry-Deck 20, made by Whale, has been designed specifically to solve shower drainage problems in modern shower rooms where gravity drainage is not an option.

Catering for growing demand for walk-in style enclosures, the ‘Shine Walk-in’ from Aqualux offers a sophisticated and affordable solution, demonstrating that high quality designs and en-vogue style doesn’t have to cost the earth. This stylish enclosure will give users the spacious and invigorating feeling of a wetroom but with the security they desire.

Matki introduces the New Boutique Walk-In. The perfect solution for a door-less, wet room look in your bathroom. With large glass panels and minimal framing the Boutique Walk-In gives an exhilarating sense of light and space.

The Boutique Walk-In uses solid 8mm and 10mm Safety Glass which slot perfectly into grooves in the low profile shower tray to give a neat and easy to clean seal.

Founded in New Zealand by Scotsman George Methven in 1886, today Methven is a world-class international business. During the past 125 years we have earned a deserved reputation for innovative, high quality, and water and energy efficient products, spurred on by our passion for delivering life-enhancing showering experiences and creating a spa-like experience at home.

The Whole House pumps from Salamander's Right Pump range can supply the total water powering needs of UK households with gravity-fed systems. The RHP range is suitable for toilets, baths, wash basins - or just showers.

Available in four models: the RHP50 (1.5 bar) can provide conventional showers, whole house showers, toilets, wash-basins, baths and individual hot and cold taps. The RSP75 (2.0 bar) is similar but also suitable for high resistance outlets such as multi-functional showers and those with a massage function or champagne spray.

Optimum is the latest ultra low profile shower tray from leading shower tray manufacturer MX. It’s the slimmest tray on the market at just 25mm high. It brings an impressive combination of adaptability, strength and light weight – which makes it suitable for most types of shower enclosure, makes it very easy to carry and transport, and results in it being immensely strong and reliable – borne out by its 25 year guarantee.

As part of Showerlux UK’s drive to offer the complete luxury solution, the leading bathroom brand has relaunched ‘Nexus’, its designer range of enclosures and walk-ins. Sculpted from 10mm safety glass, the Nexus collection now incorporates smooth opening doors and integrated valves, creating the ultimate showering experience.

Spring is in the air and bathrooms are blooming. Recent exhibitions have shown what our bathroom designers have been up to and their innovative products are coming to market faster than ever before. The bathroom has come of age. Manufacturers have rapidly expanded their ranges and consumers are reaping the benefit. But what have been the drivers for so much rapid change?