At KBIS 2017, the National Kitchen & Bath Assn. (NKBA) revealed the top design trends for the coming year as specified by its annual Design Trends Report, which states the top ten trends in both kitchen and bath design.
It’s economic outlook report, “Estimated Market Value for the Kitchen & Bath Remodeling and New Residential Construction Markets,” finds that Americans love their kitchens and baths, stating that these represent a $134 billion industry. More than 10 percent of American homeowners did a kitchen or bath remodeling project last year for a total kitchen and bath remodel and replacement market of $85 billion. The kitchen and bath market for new construction is $48.6 billion.
Kitchen Industry Insights
- 10.2 million — or roughly one in 10 of all households — undertook a kitchen remodel or replacement project during 2015.
- Nearly half (48% percent) of kitchen remodel and replacement projects were budgeted at $15,000 or more.
- However, there was a great variation in the kitchen project budget, pointing to more partial upgrades, rather than complete remodels. For example, 63 percent of respondents spent less than $5,000 on their kitchen remodeling or replacement project.
- Similar to previous generations, younger homeowners are more inclined to DIY these projects and baby boomers are more inclined to hire the expertise.
- The overall estimated retail market value for products among households undertaking kitchen remodel or replacement project activity is $49.7 billion.
Bath Industry Insights
- 14.2 million — or just under 13% percent of all households — undertook a bathroom remodel or replacement project during 2015.
- 21 percent of respondents spent $7,500 or more to remodel their master bathroom.
- As with kitchens, there was a significant variation in spending for bathroom remodels and replacements. For example, nearly four-in-ten (38 percent) of respondents budgeted less than $2,500 for their bathroom remodeling or replacement project.
- The overall estimated retail market value for products among households undertaking a bath remodel or replacement project is $35.5 billion.
Kitchen Trends
According to the research conducted by NKBA, more Americans favor contemporary over transitional kitchen styling. The survey also found that contemporary color schemes and technological amenities were among the most popular trends of 2017.
Based on the member survey, the NKBA expects to see the following top 10 overall kitchen trends this year:
- Clean lines, built-ins and simple door styles dominate kitchen designs. Contemporary-styled kitchens overtake traditional to be the second most popular design after transitional. Emerging trends: Industrial and Mid-Century Modern. Mountain Modern and Coastal are variations on Contemporary.
- White and gray painted cabinets dominated kitchen color schemes. Blue painted and high gloss cabinets are emerging. For overall color schemes, blue as well as black are emerging.
- Two-toned kitchens are gaining popularity — materials and metals, across surfaces and as accents.
- White wood cabinets dominate kitchen designs. Metal, currently a small segment of the cabinet market, appears to be emerging.
- Furniture-look pieces, rollouts and pullouts and under cabinet lighting (LED) are among the most popular kitchen cabinet features. The use of crown molding is declining; rustic and reclaimed woods were frequently mentioned.
- Quartz is the most popular kitchen countertop material. Granite, the second most popular countertop material is trending down.
- Induction cooktops and convection ovens are trending higher, and microwave drawers are outpacing freestanding or built-in microwaves. Microwave Drawers are outpacing freestanding or built-in microwaves. Steam ovens still represent a small segment of the market, but are also trending higher.
- Use of technology in the kitchen is increasing. About one third of NKBA professionals included wiring and pathways for future integration. Also trending: more Internet connected appliances and docking stations.
- Interior barn and pocket doors in kitchens are trending up.
- Accessible and/or universal design features continue to trend up for kitchens.
Bath Trends
More homeowners are turning to contemporary-styled bathrooms and have specified contemporary color schemes and freestanding tubs as among the top bathroom trends of 2017.
- Contemporary and Transitional-styled bathrooms have overtaken Traditional style preferences. Shaker style is gaining on Traditional, while Mid-Century Modern is emerging. Asian Fusion is a niche design, but design professionals who recommend it plan to do more of it in bathrooms.
- Whites, off/whites and gray are by far the most popular bathroom color schemes. Blue is emerging, with younger design professionals leaning more toward violets and purples. Stainless steel is niche and emerging.
- Linen storage cabinets and wood vanities are the most commonly used bathroom storage solutions. Floating vanities and open shelving are popular and increasing in popularity. Toilet topper cabinets are declining in demand.
- Ceramic tile flooring is most popular, but high-quality vinyl appears to be emerging.
- Undermount bathroom sinks are most desirable, with requests for vessel sinks continuing to wane, as well as pedestal sinks. Trough sinks are emerging.
- More than half of NKBA members surveyed said they eliminated a tub or whirlpool in a bathroom remodel over the course of the past year. Yet half also specified a freestanding tub during that same period, and 60 percent expect to specify more of them in 2017. While tub/shower surrounds are maintained and updated when they already exist in a home, they are not being added to new bathrooms or completely remodeled bathrooms.
- White fixtures are trending up, while bone/bisque colored fixtures are trending down. Brushed brass and gold are emerging faucet finishes; designer faucet colors, while still quite niche, are emerging.
- The most popular amenities for the bathroom are in the arena of safety and comfort: e.g., comfort heights, shower seats, lighting in showers and no-threshold showers. Emerging amenities are smart toilets, smart toilet seats, music in the shower, easy maintenance features and radiant floor heating.
- Water-saving toilets and faucets are becoming more mainstream.
- Distributed video and audio and wiring pathways for future integration are still niche in the bathroom, but emerging.
The 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends survey was fielded online to NKBA members during August 2016 and generated 562 responses.
Reports are available for $99 to NKBA members and $499 for nonmembers. An executive summary of the research is available to NKBA members for free.
