10 urinals

The humble urinal has long been considered a purely functional commercial object fulfilling a singular purpose without there needing to be much more thought put into it.

Clever design

Today though, in the age of the ‘home spa’ experience, there is definitely space for modern, design-driven—think Philippe Starck—urinals in the home, especially those homes with several young boys in the family. 

Considerations such as concealed flush valves and concealed cisterns, coupled with wall-mounted options, mean that aesthetics need not be compromised in a modern design scheme. Factor in the ease of cleaning and maintenance and the urinal suddenly becomes the ‘must-have’ fixture for the contemporary bathroom.

Waterless urinals

Similarly, waterless urinals use modern technology to do away with the need for flushing at all. As such, this option is a sustainable addition to a commercial or residential property, especially in regions where water restrictions are commonplace, or simply for those who want to reduce their impact on the planet.

In the commercial space, innovations such as timed flushing, automatic flushing and even door-regulated flushing systems are all designed to reduce the amount of water being used in high-traffic areas, while top-mounted and rear-mounted water inlets allow for wall- or floor-mounted urinals to be installed.

Women’s and unisex urinals

In Europe, particularly, women’s urinals are becoming more commonplace in commercial and public spaces, such as restaurants, airports and galleries/museums. A big plus for the commercial sector is the space-saving design of urinals, meaning more can be placed in the same area. A plus too for patrons who traditionally have been used to queuing for limited facilities.

We are now beginning to see the emergence of unisex urinals, designed for both men and women, which takes the idea of space-saving to a whole new dimension. In the context of smaller homes, it may be an idea that catches on quickly. Would you be happy to use a unisex urinal?