Along with the debut of the first installment of Behind the Design, the annual report stated that personalized design, accent colors, multifunctional appliances, and clutter reduction are trending.

By Nicholas Tamarin

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS) released the 2025 edition of its annual Kitchen Trends Report on December 17 to provide a comprehensive look into current and upcoming trends in residential kitchens that will have the biggest impact in the coming year. Paired with the webinar, was the debut of the inaugural installment of the highly anticipated Behind the Design video series starring its first designer, Mexico City–born Nar Bustamante.

According to the report, the focus over the next three years will remain on sustainability and wellness, calming earth tones, and the importance of lighting design. The report also reveals key emerging trends, including personalized design, clutter reduction, multifunctional appliances, and biophilic design, which focuses on bringing the outdoors inside and a connection to nature. 

“The kitchen and bath industry remains resilient as we are seeing record levels of home equity, with 20+ million homes entering their prime remodeling years,” says NKBA | KBIS Global President & CEO Bill Darcy. “The 2025 Kitchen Trends Report comes at a crucial time, guiding the key changes designers can make to increase the longevity of their clients’ spaces while customizing unique homes with both aesthetic and functional creativity.”

Comprised of data generated from a survey completed by industry experts including designers, manufacturers, remodelers, and architects, the full report, delivered by NKBA | KBIS’s longtime Head of Research Tricia Zach, is available at NKBA.org with free access for NKBA members. Key findings of the top 20 kitchen trends for 2025 included:

Colors & Materials: What’s In, What’s Out

• Blast From the Past: Past trends are making a comeback in 2025, with 52% of respondents saying the bright colors and earth tones of the 1970’s will be popular and 47% saying that the muted mid-century modern aesthetic of the 1950’s will see a resurgence. 
• Preference for Personality: As part of a broader trend that focuses on personalized design, 71% of respondents said they preferred colorful kitchens that showcase personality as opposed to only 29% of respondents who prefer a clean and classic white kitchen. Statement colors will primarily be incorporated into backsplashes, islands, cabinets, wallpapers, and wall paints.
• Color is King: White and gray kitchens are still off-trend, with homeowners preferring light, natural colors instead. Green is the most popular color for the second year, with 76% of respondents selecting it as the top shade for 2025. Other prominent colors are blue (63%) and brown (56%).
• Mix-and-Match: Stemming from the personalized design trend is blending colors and finishes, with 67% of respondents agreeing that mix-and-match backsplashes add a unique touch to the kitchen and 84% of respondents agreeing that lighting fixtures will increasingly feature differing materials.  
• Statement Cabinets: Of those surveyed, 52% of respondents agree that cabinets will be a primary place for incorporating statement colors into the kitchen. Additionally, white oak kitchen cabinets are the clear favorite with 59% of respondents listing them as the preferred color for 2025. 

Healthy Living Starts in the Kitchen

The kitchen is becoming an epicenter for wellness, with 74% of respondents agreeing that ovens with steam cooking and air frying technology will be popular to support healthier cooking methods. A total of 53% of respondents state that kitchens will become increasingly connected to the outdoors and become focused on healthy living in the next three years. Designers agree that water (72%) and air (62%) quality are top considerations in kitchen design, reflecting the continued prioritization of wellness.

Bringing the Outdoors Inside

Biophilic design is on the rise, with 72% of respondents reporting that homeowners want a kitchen with a greater connection to the outdoors. Creating an open and airy feel, 67% of respondents agree that large windows will be a popular way to bring more light into kitchens. Additionally, 64% of respondents say that sustainable food sources, such as herb and veggie gardens, are increasingly popular in the kitchen. 

Seamless Design and Clutter Reduction 

Open pantries and shelves are out, as homeowners increasingly desire clutter-free kitchens with concealed elements, such as hidden doors, panel-ready fronts for appliances, and walk-in pantries. Of those surveyed, 87% said homeowners want pantries that are concealed behind cabinet doors or panels to maintain a seamless kitchen design, while 66% said walk-in pantries and butler’s pantries will be popular in the next 3 years.

Making the Most of Your Kitchen

A total of 90% of respondents said that, as a result of working from home, homeowners are interested in remodeling to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the kitchen. Thus, multifunctionality will be a prominent kitchen trend in 2025, with 91% of respondents agreeing that appliances with more than one function are popular with homeowners. More specifically, 52% of respondents agree that adding a second kitchen island to increase functionality is gaining popularity and 83% of respondents agree that sinks with food prep and serving areas are becoming popular. 

The Mood Kitchen

Homeowners are increasingly focused on lighting’s role in creating a “well space” that supports functionality and mood. According to 74% of respondents, homeowners are using lighting to improve their physical and mental well-being. Respondents report that natural light and lighting quality are top considerations in kitchen design, with 88% agreeing that lighting is widely used to create different moods within the kitchen, such as brightness while drinking coffee in the morning or a darker atmosphere for a cocktail party. 

What Does Your Kitchen Say About You?

It’s clear that unique and personal design is crucial: 92% of respondents agree that the kitchen is a reflection of a homeowner’s personality and 85% of respondents agree that the kitchen has the strongest impact on the “personality” of the home as a whole. As personalized design continues to rise in popularity, 71% of respondents agree that their clients prefer a colorful kitchen to let their personalities shine through, and 75% of designers agree that homeowners want a kitchen that is unique to them. Decorative hardware, statement lighting, and pops of color in artwork are ways to showcase personality through kitchen design.

Following Zach’s report, Heather Shannon, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, NKBA | KBIS, introduced the premiere of NKBA | KBIS’s brand new video series Behind the Design. The debut episode starred acclaimed designer Bustamante giving us unprecedented access into his design process with a private video tour of one of his newest projects in his adopted hometown of Sacramento, California. “All the surfaces in this project are on by Cosentino. And I have a really great relationship with the Cosentino family. Talk about innovation. And I love the simplicity and the elegance that it allowed us to work with,” Bustamante says. “And when it comes to appliances, we get pretty picky, because it is one of those things that kind of makes or breaks the function of the kitchen. The ease of use, the quality, the elegance. And so I’m consistently a fan of Sub-Zero Wolf. They have been around for a long time. They know what they’re doing. The quality stands and it’s sophisticated, but yet very simple. They don’t get gimmicky.”

The future of bath trends was on the agenda at an informative program with industry experts who introduced new designs, products, and other highlights from NKBA’s annual Bath Trends Report.

By Nicholas Tamarin

The NKBA dove into the future of bath design headfirst during its annual Bath Trends Summit sponsored by Bed Bath & Beyond Professional on Thursday, November 21. This exclusive virtual first look at the NKBA’s 2025 Bath Trends Report–which explores the key design and product shifts we can expect in the upcoming year–was accompanied by inspiring presentations, dynamic designer panels, and interviews with industry leaders. And, as a bonus, attendees received a free download of the full report post-event (non-members who don’t attend the Summit will pay $2,995–NKBA members have access to all NKBA reports for free).

Four interactive installments featured 12 expert speakers and panelists over more than two hours including must-see sessions on the “Top 20 Bath Trends for 2025” with NKBA’s longtime Head of Research Tricia Zach, and “Smart Solutions for Tomorrow’s Bathrooms: Integrating Technology for Wellness & Design,” hosted by Heather Shannon, SVP, Strategic Growth, NKBA, who led a panel discussion with three bath designers discussing the latest innovations in smart home tech and how they are shaping the future of bath design.

NKBA Director of Marketing Crystal Watts kicked off her hosting duties by thanking sponsor, Bed Bath & Beyond Professional. “I want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our sponsor, Bed Bath & Beyond Professional, whose support has made this summit possible–their commitment to driving innovation in the home and bath sectors continues to make a significant impact, and we’re grateful for their partnership,” Watts said, before launching into the first in a series of poll questions that were peppered throughout the day’s events and which culminated with announcement of three winning respondents at the end. Dorothy Harter, CMKBD; Josh Bowman; and Sunita Ritesh, all won Bed Bath & Beyond Professional’s Superior Napa Zero Twist Cotton Soft Waffle Bath Sheet Set and a NKBA | KBIS package featuring local products from its national headquarters in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Ritesh was also the lucky recipient of a $500 gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond.

Zach, who has a deep knowledge of industry trends and consumer behavior, then introduced NKBA’s 2025 Bath Trends Report, which is based on the professional opinions of 500 designers, specifiers, showrooms, dealers, manufacturers, remodelers, and architects. “What sets bath trends research apart from many other studies conducted on this topic is the caliber of its respondents,” Zach said. “The designers participating in this year’s study have an average of 18 years experience. Collectively, they have completed more than 3,000 bath projects in the past year.”

Zach concluded by sharing the exciting launch of NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Pro Hub along with a sneak peak. “NKBA has built an online research community for the kitchen and back industry,” Zach said. This community is a place where industry pros can interact with each other and the NKBA research team contribute their professional opinions, review research results and insights, offer suggestions for future research topics for their kitchen and bath designs being showcased, and even earn points which can be redeemed for gift cards. It will also encourage you to download the mobile app that will allow us to notify you when we have launched a new survey or when we release research results we feel will help you better run your business or advance your career. Keep an eye out for an invite to the Kitchen and Bath Pro Hub early next year and sign up. You’ll want to be a part of this new adventure.”

Next up was Shannon’s “Smart Solutions for Tomorrow’s Bathrooms: Integrating Technology for Wellness & Design, which explored the latest innovations in smart home tech and how they are shaping the future of bathroom design, with panel featuring Greg Barrett, Director of Product Management: Professional Lighting, Savant; Josh Christian, CEO, Home Technology Association (HTA); and Elma Y. Gardner, CMKBD, Owner of By Design Studio, Inc. 

That was followed by “Designing for the Future: Innovations in Residential Spaces for Every Generation”, also moderated by Zach, featuring Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CEO, Timeless Kitchen Design LLC; Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD, Owner & Principal Designer, McCabe by Design LLC; and Ebony Stephenson, Owner & Principal Designer, Designs by Ebony, LLC, discussing exploring forward-thinking solutions in bathroom design to create functional, adaptable, and future-proof homes.

Kelly Buchsbaum, NKBA’s Senior Manager of Chapter Relations, rounded out the summit with her session on designing beautiful baths for clients and contests, “Insights from Award-winning Bath Designers and Competition Judges”, featuring Gina D’Amore Bauerle, Owner/Interior Designer, D’Amore Interiors; Cailin M. Thelen, CMKBD, Designer & Owner, Thelen Designs, LLC.

Watts concluded by reminding everyone that “on December 17, we will be hosting our Kitchen Trends Summit, which will take you through the findings of the 2025 kitchen research report. Also, KBIS is just around the corner. If you have not yet registered, we’d love for you to join us in Las Vegas February 25-27.”

Unique and customized, these spaces will be designed for clients’ individual lifestyles.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

Kitchens with innovative, personalized designs will be popular in the next two to three years, according to NKBA’s recently released 2024 Kitchen Trends Report. This emerging shift will have an impact on kitchen designs and how appliances, lighting, islands and more fit into the space. Featured changes include: 

1. More personality. Seven in 10 designers say homeowners don’t want a cookie-cutter kitchen and are looking for a design that is uniquely personal and just for them. “More personality [is what clients want],” said one designer. “I don’t think the first [approach] is going to be, ‘What will the next owners like,’ it will be more personalized to the current homeowner.”

2. Individualized settings, controls and tech solutions. Appliances with individualized settings and controls that can be accessed via apps will be in demand,  such as ovens with temperature control precision and delayed starts. Additionally, homeowners want programmable lighting presets for different times of day, as well as mobile-device-connected lighting, motion-sensor lighting and voice-controlled lighting.
3. Personalized storage solutions. Many cabinets, islands, and pantries have personalized organization modules, improving the usability of the kitchen space. Homeowners specifically want cabinets to have improved storage solutions like drawer dividers and partitions that can be configured to their needs.

4. Specialized sinks.  Workstation sinks with food prep and serving areas are in demand, with popular features including built-in cutting boards, strainers and drying racks. And more than half of homeowners are embracing bold sink designs through new colors and ceramic finishes, while also including two sinks in the kitchen.

5. Innovations for living in place.  Cabinetry and islands that work for all ages will be another customized kitchen solution. Additionally, many homeowners are opting for nighttime lighting, such as toe kick lighting, for safety and aesthetics. These solutions, and technology like motion-sensor lighting and motorized window shades, can be part of living-in-place design.
6. Customized color. Another way designers are personalizing designs for clients is by adding color, as kitchens move away from white to white and grays. For statement colors, designers are leveraging cabinetry, islands and vertical surfaces such as backsplashes, wall paint and wallpaper. Additionally, as islands become a kitchen’s design focal point, they are often designed with a contrasting color than surrounding cabinetry and/or countertop.

Kitchens will be sustainable and include multiple layers of lighting, quieter appliances and health-focused solutions.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

Earlier this week, NKBA released its 2024 Kitchen Design Trends, a highly-anticipated report highlighting top trends in kitchen design over the next three years and featuring emerging categories and shifts in products, color, materials and space.    

Here are five top takeaways from NKBA’s 2024 Kitchen Trends report:

1. Hard-Working Islands. An expanded focus has been placed on kitchen islands that serve as everything from a gathering place and storage to a cooking, prepping and entertaining space.  More than 57 percent of designers say their clients prefer an eat-in kitchen area instead of a formal dining room and 48 percent identified large islands as a top priority for serving and dining.

2. Whisper Quiet. By eliminating noisy appliances and banging cabinet doors, designers are making the kitchen environment even more suitable for everything from entertaining and eating to work and learning. Sixty-five percent of designers said their clients want ultra-quiet dishwashers and 41 percent are ditching noisy trash compactors in favor of standard pull-out receptacles.

3. Environmentally Conscious. Sustainability continues to be top-of-mind for both designers and homeowners, with a focus on:

• Reduce: 51 percent are selecting long-lasting products to reduce the need for replacement.
• Reuse: 44 percent say they donate old kitchen cabinets, while 37 percent donate old appliances.
• Recycle: 53 percent allocate kitchen storage for recycling and 23 percent are creating kitchen storage for composting.

4. Well-Curated Lighting. In addition to incorporating lots of natural light into their kitchen designs, designers say they’re using multiple layers of lighting to support different functions: ambient lighting to create various moods (85 percent), decorative statement lighting to showcase design elements (80 percent), and nighttime lighting for safety and aesthetics (69 percent). Light sensing, motion sensing, voice activation and programmable control options all play a key role in enhancing the functionality of kitchen lighting.

5. A Place for Wellness and Nutrition. Kitchen design is focused on nutrition and healthy eating.​ Seventy-eight percent of designers say homeowners want more refrigeration space with better flexibility (e.g., columns, drawers, convertible) to accommodate healthy lifestyles, and 68 percent want appliances with integrated cooking functions like air frying and steam cooking.

To download the full 2024 Kitchen Trends Report, go here.

NKBA will host its first ‘Research Reveal’ with the release of its Independent Showrooms Report, providing insights on the role of showrooms in the K&B industry today.

By Elisa Fernandez-Arias

On June 22nd, NKBA will ‘reveal’ research from its first-ever Independent Kitchen & Bath Showrooms report, during an NKBALive Segment at 2pm ET. This special NKBA Live is the first-ever Research Reveal, a new series released by NKBA’s research department where new K&B research is shared.

The Research Reveal for Independent Kitchen & Bath Showrooms will feature research and data from the Showrooms Report, and a panel discussion with showroom owners and designers to discuss the crucial role showrooms play, as well as current and future trends in the space. NKBA’s Independent K&B Showrooms Report, free to NKBA members, will be released shortly after the Research Reveal, and provides insightful information on the role of showrooms in the K&B industry, a look into the current state of showrooms and what industry pros expect for the future, and more, including reasons why homeowners might go to showrooms, what conversion rates look like when they visit, or how designers work with showrooms. Register today for the Research Reveal and learn about insights from the report.

NKBA’s first-ever Outdoor Kitchen Summit takes a deep dive into best practices, emerging trends and how to build proficiency in this area.  

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

On May 18th at 1 pm ET, NKBA will be hosting its first-ever Outdoor Kitchen Summit, based on the findings from NKBA’s 2023 Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Research Report. Outdoor kitchens are becoming a standard for luxury homes, and according to the report, the demand is only increasing for this high-growth category.

Suzie Williford, NKBA’s EVP/CSO, will open the summit with an overview of the topics to be discussed and introduce the event’s host, Nar Bustamante, designer and Founder and President of Nar Design Group. Following Williford’s introduction, Bustamante will provide a summary of each panel discussion, including interactive polls, giveaways and more — and, of course, will provide his expertise in the subject of outdoor kitchens as well.

Tricia Zach, NKBA’s Head of Research, will then provide a 15-minute overview of the report complete with her professional insight into the findings, how the data was gathered and key takeaways for the K&B industry. 

Following Zach’s overview will be two panel discussions. The first panel will be an open discussion on trends, considerations by region, balancing clients’ wants with realities, etc. The second panel will explore the similarities and differences in designing indoor kitchens versus outdoor kitchens. 

The summit will conclude with a one-on-one between Bustamante and designer John Cialone of Tom Stringer Design Partners, where they will explore what it takes to design an outdoor kitchen and the details that make it special. 

To register for the two-hour virtual event, click here.

By Robert Isler

Virtually every aspect of the primary bathroom – from layout, to color scheme to usage of technology – is evolving. According to NKBA’s newly-released 2023 Design Trends report, the bath is transforming from a place of basic functionality to a space that offers sanctuary, a spa-like retreat. This is particularly relevant for the growing segment of the population who are looking to age in place.  

Expansion and Customization

Combining the feedback of 600 K+ B specialists, NKBA’s 2023 Design Trends report outlines emerging trends over the next three years.  One of the biggest trends for the bath, similar to the kitchen, is the opening up of the bathroom and connecting the bath to an adjacent room, in this case a dressing or sitting room.  The walls are coming down to open up and increase the bathrooms footprint (63 percent).  Where space is limited, designers are installing skylights and windows above the tub to enhance the sense of space.

It is clear, bathroom projects are bigger and more involved than last year according to 32 percent of designers surveyed.  Tubs are being removed to allow for larger, more customized showers (77 percent), with many installing large showers that can accommodate two people, often with zero-clearance entrances and multiple showerheads to create a spa-like experience.  And while many are removing tubs, others noted that for higher-end bathrooms, if space allows, a bathtub is still the focal point. 

Technology: Comfort, Ease and Luxury  

Subtle, unobtrusive technology is also on the rise.  From the floor, to lighting, to water temperature, designers are seeing an increase in requests for technology that enhances the ease, comfort and customization of the bath.  Heated floors (69 percent) and smart control thermostats (67 percent) are becoming a norm while other technologies such as motion sensors for lighting, speakers and even the integration of lighting and physical therapy options for showers are gaining traction.  All point to an increase of highly personalized, sanctuary-like bath environments.   

Clean Lines & Easy to Clean

Similar to what is being implemented within kitchens, designers are eliminating clutter in the bath. Incorporating seamless storage solutions for a cleaner look.  From linen storage cabinets (72 percent) to vanities that contain hidden outlets (62 percent), the demand will be for more storage and hidden solutions.  In addition, large format tiles and slabs which have fewer grout lines are becoming more popular as they require less maintenance and have a clean aesthetic.  

Lastly, color. To set the mood, blues and greens are expected to be the dominant bathroom colors over the next few years. Fused with whites, they will add warmth and contribute to the overall calm, oasis-like feel. As one designer put it, “Blues and greens are always popular as a reflection of water, so playing on different hues and values will still be present.”

Click here to download the full report.

By Robert Isler

NKBA’s 2023 Design Trends report provides insight into both emerging trends and those that will continue to gain momentum over the next two to three years. Combining the feedback of 600 K+B specialists, it’s no surprise that given the fact that the home has evolved into a place of rest, recreation, and work, the kitchen becomes even more prominent in terms of space, function and design.  

Let it Flow/Keep it Tidy

Kitchens are opening up and expanding overall functionality with a focus on more efficient storage  and concealed workspaces.  Technology is becoming more firmly entrenched while styles shift to embrace an aesthetic of vibrancy, combining multiple design elements and materials along with bold accents, splashes of color and texture.  

The trend is clearly towards a cleaner look as the room flows into other areas of the home as well as the outdoors. This includes removing walls that lead into adjacent rooms and incorporating large windows to create the appearance of a kitchen fusing with the outdoors (74 percent).  

With more open space comes the need to mask clutter.  The report indicates a high increase in the need for walk-in pantries (76 percent) followed by the built-in variety (66 percent) and butler’s pantries (62 percent) as well. Dedicated work areas for small appliances are also on the rise. 

The trend towards clean, and efficient design extends to countertops, backsplashes and flooring as well. Sanitary counter surfaces that can be easily cleaned, such as quartz (60 percent),  are on the rise.  Slab backsplashes will increase (50 percent) for ease of cleaning and seamless  design, with little to no grout.  Easy-to-clean flooring will continue to be a must  (70 percent) lead by hardwood (48 percent).

Multi-function & Multiples 

Large, multi-function kitchen islands that can accommodate the growing demands of the kitchen will continue to be extremely popular.  Designers are creating areas of the island to accommodate food prep, serving, entertaining and work/charging stations. Multiple ovens, either two large single ovens or the use of one large and one small, are gaining in popularity as well (64 percent).  Venting hoods are becoming a kitchen focal point, with wood and stainless steel the most popular material choices. And even cooking itself is shifting, as induction cooking gains  traction. French doors will continue to be the most popular refrigerator style (53 percent), well-above the 35 percent for bottom freezers.

Seamless Technology

Kitchen tech will continue to become more commonplace.  From smart app-based technology that enables one to control lighting, room temperature and even activate appliances (51 percent)  to new cooking technology.  This includes tech that supports precision-cooking, motion-sensor faucets, alerts for open refrigerator doors, taps that increase water purity and the demand for steam and air frying technology to be integrated into ovens (73 percent).  

Click here to download the full report.

By Robert Isler

NKBA’s newly released 2023 Design Trends report revealed several new and upcoming trends as well as highlighted a number of others that continue to gain traction. The annual report, which surveyed over 600 members of the kitchen and bath industry, identifies the space, color, materials, products and technology trends that will dominate the kitchen and bath industry during the next two to three years. 

The trend that only continues to gain ground is the expansion of both kitchen and bath spaces. Nearly 40 percent of designers said their kitchen projects are larger, more involved this year compared with 2021, while about one-third said the same for their bath projects.  

Expanded Space for Storage/Functionality

The majority of designers noted that to add additional storage and functionality, they are knocking down walls or taking over adjoining rooms to add more square footage.  The increased space for kitchens enables designers to add walk-in or built-in pantries for expanded storage, larger (or two) islands and more appliances like a second dishwasher or column refrigerator and freezer.  

Meanwhile, for baths the extended space allows larger showers for two or more people (at the expense of the tub), the addition of a closet, dressing room or sitting area. In addition, the expanded space is also giving rise to more aging in place features such as shower seats (79 percent), zero clearance (66 percent) and grab bars (65 percent).

Sustainability/Environment Matters 

For both kitchen and baths, the trend towards sustainability and the environment will only grow stronger. The majority of designers for both kitchen and bath said they consider a manufacturer’s sustainability practices “at times” when making a product recommendation. The move toward embracing the environment also is seen by the continued movement toward opening up to the outdoors for both kitchens and baths. This means larger windows with fewer panes and glass doors that open to an outside patio, deck or garden. 

Color Ways   

Color and bold accents are gaining ground in both the kitchen and bath continues. Specific to kitchens is the rise of darker, richer colors with green(45 percent)  and blue (37 percent) topping the list. White/off-white remain the most popular neutral color. Meanwhile, brushed and matte finishes eclipse polished for fixtures and . “Warmer, natural colors, less gray and white,” said one designer in the survey. “Or [we’ll see] strong, dramatic colors mixed with light natural woods to warm it up.” 

For baths, the spa-like design trend can be seen in the rise of using blues (42 percent) and greens (37 percent) to give a sense of calmness, serenity. To add drama and a hint of glamor, there’s also the addition of metallics with little to no shine, as matte or brushed finishes dominate. 

Technology as a Functional Benefit 

When it comes to technology, clients increasingly want it make their life easier, more efficient. In the kitchen, this translates to steam cooking/air frying features integrated into ovens and a mobile app to control appliances. In addition, designers said their clients are also excited about touchless faucets and voice- or motion-controlled lighting. 

In the primary bath, respondents said their clients are looking for smart controls for heated floors, showers and lighting. They also want technology to help them conserve water and alert them to leaks/issues. 

Even though technology is part of everyday life, the survey showed that only 31 percent of kitchen and 23 percent of bathroom projects include integrated technology. In addition, only 28 percent of designers said they work with a technology expert on their kitchen projects.  For baths, only 23 percent said they frequently or sometimes use a technology expert. 

Millennials on the Rise. 

The survey showed that designers’ client pool continues to be mostly older, mainly Gen X  and Boomers. However, there is a growing Millennial  client base that is gaining momentum. In fact, 17 percent of respondents said they are designing more for this group than any other, nearly double what it was in 2020. 

Click here to download the full report.

By Robert Isler

One of the themes in NKBA’s 2022 Design Trends release was the expected popularity of larger primary bathrooms over the next three years. In fact, more than three in four designers who responded to the survey predicted this size increase. One in three believe the bathroom footprint will grow by at least 25 percent. So how will these more substantial bathrooms look and what are their must-have features? Both the NKBA report and a recent story in Home and Gardens have provided answers.

The NKBA report explores creative ways to increase a bathroom’s size and the prominence of the features that are deemed most valuable. The focus of the Home and Gardens piece is on design ideas for bathrooms that are already oversized. The most popular trend identified in the NKBA study is a larger shower. This could take the form of a two-person shower for couples – with separate showerheads – or a redesign for living-in-place; complete with a bench seat, zero clearance entry and attractive grab bars. Hand-held and rain showerheads are among the most cited features likely to be part of this revamped shower.The tradeoff to secure the extra space involves removal of the bathtub. Other predicted forms of enlargement include the removal of adjacent walls to create a connected closet or dressing area, connecting the bathroom to laundry facilities, connecting to a workout area, or adding comfortable seating.

One in three designers predict primary bathrooms will increase in size by at least 25 percent over the next three years.

For those who already have ample bathroom space, the options are far greater, as detailed by Home and Gardens. Double bathroom basins are on that list, because they are both practical and indulgent, while creating symmetry for the overall look of the room. Two-person showers were also mentioned, with the recommendation that its minimum width be no less than 5 ½ feet. Since a larger space allows for experimentation, the mixing of styles, such as two flooring materials, was suggested to make the room more inviting.

Maximizing storage space is always a good idea. In a large bathroom it can be made to resemble living room or bedroom furniture, taking the bathroom to the next level. To really step it up, a wellness shower is always enticing. Included might be freefall or atomization jet showers in various positions from ceiling to both high and low on the wall for the benefit of shoulders and back down to legs and ankles. The picture can be completed with the addition of chromotherapy and music. For a bathroom that is particularly generous in size, the sauna option should also be considered. As described in the Home and Gardens article, “The combination of warm, dry air and the fragrance of the natural wood create a calming effect, said to also stimulate blood circulation and deep cleanse the skin.” Those are benefits most would be hard-pressed to turn down.