(ARA) – Starting any home project can be stressful, especially when undertaking those projects in the most-used rooms of the house, like the kitchen and bathroom. From overall room style to structural changes and fixtures, many pieces of the puzzle need to fit together to create the finished product.
Consumers are concerned with every detail of a kitchen and bathroom project, especially the finish of their new fixtures, according to new research from faucet-maker Moen.
“Whether consumers are purchasing faucets for a remodeling project, replacing an existing faucet or selecting one as part of their new home construction, we’re finding that the finish does matter,” says Jack Suvak, director of research and insights for Moen. “And it’s much more than just selecting chrome instead of brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. Consumers are looking for product lines that have a number of finish options available to fit any style they desire.”
Chrome is still king in the kitchen and bath, representing 47 percent of all faucets purchased, the research shows. Stainless steel and brushed nickel came in second at 37 percent, and oil rubbed bronze came in third at 7 percent – a number that’s doubled in the past few years.
“As American consumers continue to be more varied in their style choices, it’s becoming more important for manufacturers to offer a variety of finishes on new and existing products,” says Suvak. “While we can’t make style decisions for consumers and tell them that modern or traditional is more their taste, we can provide a variety of options to meet the needs of homeowners. As a result, Moen has added new finish options to some of its most popular product lines.”
In the bath
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in bathroom finish preferences during the past few years,” says Suvak. “In 2007, more than 60 percent of consumers purchased chrome, whereas now, less than 50 percent do.”
Which finish are those consumers selecting instead? Stainless steel and brushed nickel purchases for the bath have increased, growing in popularity from 24 percent in 2007 to 36 percent in 2010. To offer additional options for consumers in the bathroom, Moen has added the popular LifeShine brushed nickel finish to its modern 90 degree collection. The collection features a minimalist design with its geometric, 90-degree-angled lines. In addition to the new LifeShine Brushed Nickel finish, 90 degree is also available in chrome.
In the kitchen
“Research continues to show that traditional design remains popular in the kitchen, but consumers are also looking to incorporate traditional elements in new ways,” says Suvak. “As a result, we’re seeing a demand for finishes that fall into that ‘traditional’ category. But consumers are often having a difficult time finding these finishes on products that they love.”
One such “traditional” finish that consumers are taking a different approach with is oil rubbed bronze. Its warm hue is the perfect addition to any kitchen faucet, and while it is a smaller portion of the market, it has been gaining popularity the past few years.
“Nowadays, the applications for oil rubbed bronze include products with transitional and modern styling, and consumers are looking to add a hint of traditional flair to these types of products,” says Suvak.
Arbor kitchen collection faucets feature a single-handle design and unique styling, such as high-arc spouts and a curved, S-shaped handle. Although not traditional in its design elements, the availability of Arbor faucets in the new oil rubbed bronze finish allows the faucet collection to coordinate with virtually any home decor.
“It’s no secret that consumers want choices, especially when it comes to choosing products for their homes,” Suvak says. “With the expansion of our product lines to include finish options that are popular with consumers, we’re hoping to not only provide the products they want, but also make completing their home projects much easier.”
For the more information on the latest products and research, visit moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).