Show focus: 9 bathroom highlights we enjoyed at KBB Birmingham 2026

As the dust settles on KBB Birmingham’s 40th anniversary event, Nicola Hanley looks back at some of the bathroom stands that left a lasting impression. 

Nearly 16,000 visitors attended KBB Birmingham 2026 where 320 exhibitors showcased their latest launches during the UK’s largest dedicated kitchen, bedroom and bathroom exhibition. Throughout the four-day event, retailers, designers, developers and installers connected with new and existing suppliers as the industry came together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of KBB Birmingham.

Once again the bathroom brands that exhibited didn’t disappoint with vibrant stands and innovative products that matched the mood at the show. “The bathroom brands at KBB Birmingham reflected a clear shift towards spaces that feel carefully considered as well as functional,” said Jon Johnston, sales director at KBB Birmingham. “Across the show floor, there was a strong focus on textures, surface and material integrity, alongside a move towards warmer palettes and organic shapes. This was reinforced by a growing presence of European brands using KBB Birmingham to showcase influences such as Mediterranean colours and textures. It was a compelling snapshot of how the bathroom continues to evolve into a design‑driven environment, where strong aesthetics are increasingly aligned with performance, innovation and long‑term commercial value for retailers and designers.”

Read on for our round-up of some of the bathroom stands that stole the limelight…

1 – Abode

Abode put the Focus 60 collection in the spotlight as it looked to show retailers how the range can be seamlessly combined with its curated wash zone packages. Washbasins such as the CAVA Round, displayed in Chalk with a Brushed Brass Plinth, and IOX, which comes in a variety of PVD finishes, took centre stage alongside Mayer LED mirrors, UNO showering solutions and marble- and stone-effect wall panels from Fibo. Also displayed was the Mika basin unit in Matt Misty Blue from distribution partner PJH’s Bathrooms to Love Collection. “We are thrilled by the strong turnout at KBB Birmingham 2026, and after an amazing four days of connecting with Abode customers, we remain overwhelmed by the hugely positive response to our latest launches,” said Abode digital & marketing director Leanne Stansfield.

2 – BagnoDesign

The show gave BagnoDesign, the luxury bathroom brand from Sanipex Group, the opportunity to present its new Fonteyn and Carlyle collections as it made its KBB Birmingham debut. Proving particularly popular with visitors was the curvaceous Fonteyn, which is influenced by mid-century modern design. Offering retailers a cohesive solution, it includes mixers, accessories and brassware as well as sanitaryware and furniture. The brand also showcased a selection of other ranges including Studio 316 and Toko Flavours. “KBB Birmingham 2026 was a great success, meeting our expectations by connecting with both new and existing clients across the retail, interior design and developer sectors, further strengthening BagnoDesign’s presence in each market. We were also delighted to showcase our two new ranges, Fonteyn and Carlyle, to our existing partners, receiving excellent engagement and feedback,” said Lee Palmer, sales director UK & Ireland.

3 – Ca' Pietra

Ca’ Pietra’s Mediterranean Roman villa-inspired stand, which picked up the award for Best Bathrooms stand over 30sq m, was dressed to impress with arched display bays that gave visitors a preview of its Spring Summer launches. A firm favourite among visitors was Enso flooring, which was displayed alongside the new marble-effect porcelain Hoxton on the walls. “Enso proved to be the standout launch for Ca’ Pietra, drawing designers in with its softly undulating limestone surface and the quiet depth it brings to a space. There was a strong response to its tactile quality and the way it captures light, reflecting a wider move towards more atmospheric, texture-led interiors within kitchen and bathroom design,” said Hamish Smith, CEO & founder of Ca’ Pietra.

4 – hib.

For hib., which was returning to KBB Birmingham after almost 15 years away, the show was an opportunity to reinforce its refined brand identity, connect with customers and showcase its biggest mirror and cabinet launch. Attracting attention was its ‘Wall of Mirrors’, which featured 96 new mirrors and cabinets, including the Radiance Grand mirrors, which can link wirelessly for multi-basin layouts to provide synchronised illumination with a single control. Rob Ginsberg, CEO of hib., said: “We saw an incredible level of engagement on the stand, with our wall of mirrors drawing real attention and sparking great conversations. It’s always valuable to be part of events like this that bring the industry together and give us a chance to showcase how hib. continues to innovate.”

5 – House of Rohl

House of Rohl had one of the largest stands at the show, which it used to display an array of new products from Perrin & Rowe, Shaws of Darwen and Victoria + Albert as well as Aqualisa. Drawing crowds were working displays of the new Aqualisa S Range of smart digital showers, which can be controlled via the brand’s app to provide all members of a household with their own personalised settings. It features the Aqualisa Smart Valve, which measures the water temperature 10 times a second, and comes in chrome, brushed brass, matt black and gunmetal grey. “What’s really stood out this year is the quality of the leads, the depth of the conversations, and the level of press attendance. We’ve met with highly engaged visitors who are genuinely looking to do business, as well as key members of the media who are passionate about sharing innovation and design stories from the show. It’s been a hugely valuable and successful few days for our teams,’” said Michael Bennett, head of commercialisation for House of Rohl and Aqualisa.

6 – Merlyn & Vado

This year, Norcros brands Merlyn and Vado put on a united front with a shared 140sq m stand that showcased the breadth of their combined offering and how products could complement each other. Featured across five roomsets, designed around a daily ritual, Merlyn’s walk-in and frameless showering solutions were seen alongside Vado’s brassware and furniture. Highlights included new additions to Vado’s Cameo furniture range and Merlyn’s ARYSTO 10 hinged and inline shower door. “Collaborating with VADO for the first time was a real benefit,” said Eileen Slattery, marketing director at Merlyn. “It made the customer journey much easier by visiting one stand, showing how products could work together, both aesthetically and technically, and the feedback reinforced just how valuable that approach was.” 

7 – Metlex

Metlex launched Metlex Illuminated, a new range of UK designed illuminated mirrors and cabinets that blend nearly a century of craftsmanship with modern lighting technology. The collection features clean, contemporary designs with balanced proportions and soft, even illumination—created to enhance both showroom displays and real everyday bathrooms. The new products include: ambient, edge lit and inset lighting; adjustable colour temperatures; adjustable brightness; touchfree sensor controls; integrated demister pads. The company says that every detail has been purposefully developed to make daily routines easier, while the products themselves are durable and built to last. Created with retailers in mind, showrooms benefit from sleek, attractive designs, while installers enjoy straightforward installation. This new illuminated range builds on Metlex’s established reputation for dependable mirrors and cabinets, representing the next chapter in the brand’s commitment to practical, beautifully designed products. The ranges include Alasia ambient lit framed mirrors, Ascella ambient lit mirrors, Belenos inset lit framed mirrors, Rana edge & ambient lit framed mirrors (pictured above), Situla edge and ambient lit mirrors, Musca edge & ambient lit cabinets and Nashira doublesided mirrored cabinets.

8 – Showerwall

Showerwall has established a reputation for its eye-catching stands at KBB Birmingham, which it continued at this year’s show, where it unveiled its revamped Acrylic Collection, including its new matt acrylic finish. Offering a softer, more contemporary effect to create a refined, understated aesthetic, it was seen on Deco Emerald, Deco Midnight, Cherry Blossom, and Nautical decors. Also on show was the recently launched Arcade collection of slatted wood-effect panels and new built-in shower niches. Katie Cope, head of Showerwall, said: “KBB Birmingham 2026 felt like a moment of real positivity across the board. Our stand was the culmination of a lot of exciting work to refresh our Acrylic Range and we were delighted to finally show the world our new decors. The star of the show would have to be our industry first contemporary matt finish, which proved to be a real conversation starter.”

9 – Rotpunkt

While Rotpunkt’s kitchen side was celebrated with the award for Best Kitchen Stand over 30sq m, its new bathroom furniture, which is part of the German brand’s new whole-house offering, was also attracting plenty of attention. Seen within the ‘secret studio apartment’, which also featured kitchen, living and dressing room displays, the new contemporary, handleless bathroom furniture is available in all of the company’s colours and finishes. Pictured is a mix of Zerox MA Tundra furniture shown as ‘his & her’ double vanity unit with Class VI wall units in Mirror, and natural wood accents in variations of Scandinavian Oak. Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at Rotpunkt, said: “This show always provides us with an industry-rich networking environment. 2026 marked our 14th consecutive year as exhibitors at KBB Birmingham, and the ongoing development of Rotpunkt as a true furniture brand.”