Commercial Restroom Trends and Resources - Wellness, Sustainability, and Technology
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM
DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS
AND
INTERIOR DESIGNERS
FOCUS ON: WELLNESS SUSTAINABILITY TECHNOLOGY
Commercial restrooms must be functional spaces, but leading architects, designers, and engineers are helping these spaces evolve into extensions of the overall building experience:
• Restrooms in sports arenas can be designed to energize hometown fans
• Restaurants and hotels can feature restrooms that echo the environments in their dining rooms and lobbies
• Office restrooms can reflect the values and priorities of the companies and organizations who occupy the building
• And every type of organization can save money while reducing environmental impact
These ideas are seen in broad trends shaping the future of commercial restroom design—wellness, sustainability, and technology.
Here are the top 6 trends impacting commercial restroom design today.
WELLNESS
TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN
1
Gender-neutral restrooms
More than 200 cities and counties now have ordinances to ensure that people have access to gender-neutral restrooms. Why? Because people want them! 21% of workers say conventional workplace restrooms make them uncomfortable, and 55% of workers between 25 and 34 feel comfortable using all-gender restrooms.1
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
2
Toilet privacy
One way facilities achieve inclusivity is by installing single-user restrooms—private stalls with individual handwashing stations and ample space for personal belongings. Toilet privacy ensures a more hygienic and comfortable experience for everyone, with additional benefits including mental health and security.2
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
3
Biophilic design elements
Incorporating natural light, plants, and water features is a big trend in home bathroom design.3 Biophilic design is also starting to gain popularity in commercial restroom design, because who doesn’t want a more calming and restorative environment?
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS
IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN
4
Water savings
74% of consumers believe businesses should make conserving water a higher priority.4 One way businesses can respond to this demand is by installing watersaving restroom products such as 1.1 gpf flushometers and hybrid urinals.
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Conserve Water
Over 118 years ago, Sloan invented the first flushometer, and we’ve been the leader in flushometer technology ever since. Today, we offer the widest range of flushometers, along with fixtures, sinks, faucets, and more, all designed for top performance, innovative engineering, and water savings.
Browse all water saving Sloan flushometers
DID YOU KNOW?
The first Sloan Royal flushometer was installed in Chicago’s historic Monadnock Building in 1906 (on consignment), and it is still there today.
Manual
Reach for quality with easy handle operations.
Sensor
Hands-free operations for hygienic convenience.
Retrofit
Upgrade to increased water efficiency with ease.
5
Recycled and recyclable materials
Designers are reducing environmental impact by specifying sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled paper products, and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Sloan flushometers, made from recycled materials and designed for future recycling, supports your sustainable design goals.
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
DID YOU KNOW?
89% of a Sloan flushometer is made from brass casting alloy, 99% of which is from recycled sources.
LEED vs. WELL
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification through the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC®). LEED is the most recognized green building rating system worldwide and sets the standard for creating healthy, energyefficient, and cost-effective buildings.
Use Sloan products to gain USGBC LEED v4 points
The WELL Building Standard is the leading standard for promoting health in buildings by providing clear guidelines for creating spaces that keep people healthy and productive. It measures and certifies performance across seven areas: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Managed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI™), WELL aims to enhance human health through better building design.
In a nutshell: LEED focuses on minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainability, while WELL Certification prioritizes human health and wellness in building design.
Discover Sloan products meeting the WELL Building Standard for water and materials with our WELL Product Guide.
TECHNOLOGY TREND IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN
6
Connected restrooms
Connected restroom products help businesses save money on labor and maintenance by letting facility management see the status of every faucet and flushometer in their buildings from anywhere in the world. No wonder the market for connected restroom products is expected to grow 365% by 2034.5
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
The Future of Facility Management
Shaping the future of facility management, connected restrooms leverage smart technology to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and user experience. By integrating sensors and remote monitoring, facility managers can track water usage, monitor product performance, and anticipate maintenance needs in real time.
With SC Argus Pro, remotely monitor and maintain products to reduce downtime and optimize maintenance. Access data from anywhere, track water usage, and customize reports to support sustainability efforts, including qualifying for LEED and WELL points.
THE SYSTEM AT A GLANCE
Smart Products
Sloan connected products send performance data to the bridge through secure wireless protocols.
The SC Argus™ Pro suite consists of smart products, data bridges, and the cloud-based SC Argus Pro software.
Data Bridge
The bridge collects connected product data and securely sends it to the cloud-based server.
Cloud-Based Software
The system turns collected data into insights viewed through a web browser.
Key takeaways
These trends are just the broad strokes—there may be more specific trends impacting your particular industry. Sloan’s commercial restroom design experts can help you create or renovate restrooms that reflect the cutting edge in design, efficiency, and visitor experience, no matter what kind of facility they’re in.
Sloan Sink Configurator
The Sink Configurator equips architects and designers with a tool to quickly determine what kind of sink will look best in their restroom.
To stay ahead of these trends, we invite you to explore our innovative design tools. These tools are designed to help you visualize and implement the latest trends in your own projects, ensuring your restrooms are both stylish and functional.
Contact Sloan to get started!
Sloan DesignSpec
FREE: Build your spec submittal package
1—Interior Architects, The Future of Inclusive Restroom Design, October 2022
2—Excelsior, “The Importance of Toilet Privacy: Cubicle Design Tips,” October 2023
3—Designers Today, “From goth to biophilia, 10 trends that will influence kitchens and baths this year,” January 2023
4—Ecolab, “Ecolab Survey Reveals High Expectations for Water Conservation, “ March 2023
5—FMI, “Smart Bathroom Market Outlook from 2024 to 2034,” December 2023
Sloan Enhanced BIM Models
FREE: If you are considering remodeling or building a new restroom, download one of Sloan’s 300+ BIM
TOP TRENDS IN COMMERCIAL RESTROOM DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS
