January 31st, 2023 marked the start of the 60th annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Professionals from across the country gathered together to marvel at cutting-edge product innovations from the industry’s leading brands. In conjunction with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), KBIS has grown to become the largest kitchen and bath trade show in all of North America.
Lane Homes attended the event through one of our designers, Sarah Pierce. Sarah serves as the Communication Chair of NKBA’s Virginia State Chapter, is a NKBA Thirty under 30 recipient, as well as a ProRemodler Magazine’s Forty under 40 recipient.
Here is what’s happening in the industry:
What’s old is new again. Color is coming back in a huge wave. All white kitchens and bathrooms will soon be replaced with vibrant splashes of every hue. A great example of this can be found with Kohler pulling out plumbing swatches from just about 90 years back in their archives. Out of 6 possible nominations, “Spring Green” and “Peachblow” were voted to return and have a limited-run this upcoming summer. If Pantone’s color of the year being a vibrant magenta is any indication of our current taste trajectory, our homes will soon be broadcast in technicolor.
Just like the people that inhabit them, spaces are complex, multifaceted creations which can be complimented by a bevy of different styles and textures. So why choose just one? Wood and metal are being paired and blended together to create clean, modern aesthetics with grounded roots. Wood is more commonly used to accent appliance touchpoints, creating helpful visual contrast for the user’s experience. Also, interacting with wood creates a more fluid sensory experience as opposed to the cool, sleek vibrancy of metallic fixtures. Everyone wants the best of both worlds; thankfully, brands like Belwith Keeler and Brizo provide people just that.
Nature exists both outside and inside the four walls of a residence. More and more appliances mimic shapes found in the natural world. Plausibly due to an influx of increased stretches of time spent indoors, consumers long for the reinvigoration of the outdoors from the comfort of and safety of their homes. This phenomenon is shown best into how we incorporate water into our homes and adjoining spaces. Waterfall showers were highly featured in bathroom displays. Also a favorite was an infinity bath tub that its water that naturally overflows around the edge.
These products pair well with the multitude of greenery found across the showroom floor, creating the idea of a breath-of-fresh-air, retreat experience. The idea of wellness has been brought into the forefront of our social consciousness and has sparked many innovations such as these. The incorporation of natural elements into the industry gives presence to the idea of a “greener” future of kitchen and bath design.
That’s what we found as the top ideas from the industry.
Did you see the same things? Find anything different? Comment below with your thoughts on what KBIS offered this year.
KBIS 2024 has been set for Feb. 27-29th; Are you going? Let us know!
