The Best Kitchen & Bath Finds from Our 2024 Small/Cool Design Awards

published Oct 22, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Quiet Town, Pfister Faucets, Hai

When it comes to updating your kitchen or bathroom — without having to do a gut renovation — you may feel somewhat limited in terms of well-designed, not overly expensive decorating options. That’s where we come in: Apartment Therapy just launched the first-ever Small/Cool Design Awards to spotlight 44 of the best home finds for every room, including a handful of surprisingly chic appliances and fixtures. 

Whether your windowless rental bathroom could use some love (*raises hand*) or you need a little more color in the kitchen, these winners from our kitchen and bath category have you covered. 

Best Kitchen & Bath

What Makes Up This Category of Winners

These expert-approved appliances and fixtures — stylish showerheads, tile, faucets, and more — prove your bathroom and kitchen don’t have to skimp on style, especially if you’re a renter. Even a modern new shower curtain or ultra-bright toaster can make all the difference!

Kitchen & Bath Winners

1 / 6
Hai
$149.00
was $199.00

Designed to cut back on water, the hai Smart Showerhead features adjustable spray settings ranging from a strong stream to a gentle mist. There’s even a notification system that alerts you when your shower reaches that just-right temperature. It's easy to install, too, with no plumber required.

2 / 6
Rocco
$1495.00

Yes, this freestanding mini drinks fridge is a total splurge, but it's so good-looking, it can basically take the place of your tired bar cart or cabinet. It’s app-enabled, too, so you can visually keep track of your drinks whether you’re home or away. You'll never run out of your favorite bottle again!

3 / 6
MoMA Design Store
$45.00

Add a (mini) pop of color to your countertop with Bodum's newest two-slice toaster, available exclusively at the MoMA Design Store. This cheery multi-hued appliance crisps bread to perfection with five heat settings, adjustable grates, and a retractable warming rack.

4 / 6
Zia Tile
$407.27

Zia Tile is revamping zellige with their mosaic collections — available in multiple backsplash-worthy designs and colors. "I've installed it in two projects so far and it makes the entire room," says designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, who praises the "intricate patterns and variation in the glaze ... all in one beautiful sheeted package." She's partial to the Gambit design, but the Radian Inline 1 is pictured here.

5 / 6
Pfister Faucets
$509.00

For design-forward plumbing that’s both classic and contemporary, the Winter Park faucet comes highly regarded by interior designer DuVäl. “Its sleek profile feels both familiar and timeless, offering a look that’s effortlessly stylish,” he explains. “Plus, with chrome making a comeback and cross bar handles gaining popularity, this faucet is right on trend!”

6 / 6
Quiet Town
$52.00

The only bathroom decor you’ll ever need: Quiet Town’s popular Sun Shower line now includes a grid-style pattern, called the 2x2, that doubles as both a liner and transparent curtain. All six available colors instantly elevate any plain old tub, especially if you use the included brass grommets.

How We Picked Our Winners

Of course, there’s so much good design out there, so to compile this list of bests, we first consulted our editorial and commerce teams for the need-to-know products on their radars, plus reviewed a handful of reader-favorite bestsellers. We also welcomed submissions from some of our go-to brands, but to be considered for inclusion, all products must have been released within the past three years and cost under $1,000 (with the exception of sofas).

We tapped a team of in-the-know panelists to share their own design-forward faves as well: Ellen Van Dusen, founder of colorful textile brand Dusen Dusen; Sebastian Brauer, senior vice president of product design at Crate & Barrel and Crate & Kids; Priya Vij, founder of cabinet hardware company Hapny Home; interior and furniture designer Sarah Sherman Samuel; DuVäl, interior designer and Small/Cool pop-up alum; Deirdre Maloney and Minya Quirk, co-founders of online shopping platform Afternoon Light and two of Apartment Therapy’s 2024 Design Changemekers; and Jeremiah Brent, interior designer and Queer Eye star.

2024 Small/Cool Design Awards

Want to see more winners? See here for the full list of winners for the 2024 Small/Cool Design Awards.

All prices were accurate at the time of publishing, but may have changed since then.