For Release: November 4, 2000

CONSUMERS MAY NEVER LEAVE THEIR BEDROOMS A NEW IFDA SURVEY TELLS ALL

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Bed and bath spaces in the future will incorporate a wide variety of equipment for activities ranging from exercising and health maintenance to computer use, according to a groundbreaking survey by the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), the foremost organization of the furnishings and design industries. Bedrooms, already multifunctional spaces will continue to expand their functions over the next 20 years, according to the survey respondents, a broad spectrum of IFDA's national membership drawn from key manufacturers, designers, retailers, editors and marketers. Over 66% of them believe that the bedroom will continue to be an exercise center, 65% believe it will also be a media center and 44% say the space will also serve as a home office. "Bedrooms are being transformed into bedroom suites," points out Thomas Ward, president of WestPoint Stevens. "They are being built or remodeled to include features such as his-and-hers walk-in closets, sitting rooms, fireplaces and exercise rooms. This is a trend that will definitely increase in the future." Christiane Michaels, president and general manager of the Waverly Lifestyle Group concurs on the versatility of bedrooms of the future. "Might we expect our bedrooms in 2020 to become places of business as well? It would not surprise me. Today, people are already adding home offices to their master and guest bedrooms, as well as entertainment centers. As dining rooms and living rooms have been merged into great rooms, a natural alliance for the bedroom might be a workplace – if only a private, sanctuary-like space to contemplate and strategize."

Thomas L. Williams, president of Hale-Williams, a Baltimore interior design firm, notes, "Smaller families will require fewer bedrooms— spaces that were bedrooms will become office and workout rooms, while master bedrooms will include more luxury finishes." Dressing areas will be a major component, also, with casual lounging," speculates Rick L. Bartholomew, associate professor of interior design at Oklahoma State University. He envisions special touches such as "fireplaces, casual seating and mood lighting" enhancing bedroom design. "I see separate health facilities being incorporated into the master bedroom," notes Richard Hammar, director of product development for Ohio-based Hinkley Lighting. "Bedrooms will be user friendly, with easy access to clothes, computers, linens, and with huge closets." In order to accommodate such usage, these rooms will be larger: 56% agree the master suite will continue to expand; 40% conclude all bedrooms will grow in size. Special elements will be incorporated into these spaces. Guest bedrooms will frequently serve as multifunctional spaces when there are no visitors in residence, functioning as offices, hobby rooms, media rooms, or other. The trend to additional bathrooms, larger bathrooms, and more luxurious bathrooms, already a standard in new and remodeled homes today, will continue said 82% of the survey participants. High-tech components will become the norm in the bathroom of the future: 63% predict more televisions in bathrooms, 58% say audio components will be incorporated into these spaces; 44%, exercise equipment; and 31% expect saunas to grow in popularity. Spa showers and whirlpool tubs will more often be part of bathroom fixtures, said 77%. About 66% believe that space and health-oriented activities will be incorporated into the bathroom. Similarly, 61% say that separate health facilities will become a part of remodeling or new home construction. William W. Hopper, principal of WWH Restorations, a Washington D.C.-based firm specializing in historic homes and furnishings, thinks the growth of conventional bathrooms will slow, however, luxurious "private 'Roman baths' as a personal area will increase."

A lot more of us will be using telephones in the bathroom, according to 47% of respondents. And, forget about reading, more of us will be accessing and responding to our e-mails. Both bed and bath spaces will be used as a private retreat, according to Charles Delpapa, vice president of creative development for Emess Lighting, who notes that people will always have a "need for quiet and a special place for one's self."

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"20/20: IFDA's Vision for the Future" survey was developed by the market research and statistics division of Smith, Bucklin & Associates, an independent research group based in Chicago.

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