Hot Trends: Kitchens & Baths

The 2014 National Kitchen & Bath Association Design Trends Survey forecasts kitchens with simple lines and good storage solutions and spa-like, accessible bathrooms.

Story courtesy National Kitchen & Bath Association

Consumers will be cleaning up their kitchens in 2014, at least from a design standpoint, according to research released today at the 2014 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

“While transitional styles are still number one, we see kitchen design trending more contemporary this year, with clean, simple lines, less clutter, and little ornamentation,” said John Petrie, CMKBD, of Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and 2014 NKBA President.

The outlook is based the findings of the NKBA 2014 Kitchen and Bath Design Trends Survey, which also revealed these trends in kitchen design:

Contemporary will be the fastest growing kitchen style in 2014, with 62 percent of respondents saying it’s on the upswing after ending 2013 in second place. Transitional maintained a very small lead as the number one look for kitchens. Shaker styling is a solid third due in part to its versatility, lending itself to traditional or contemporary.
More than half (56 percent) of the respondents included accessible and/or universal design and easy-maintenance features in their kitchens, and demand is expected to continue.
Two-thirds of NKBA kitchen designers incorporated docking and/or charging stations in their kitchens, as well as a desk or home office area. Some 56 percent included a flat-screen TV in their kitchen projects. These trends show no signs of powering down soon.
Outdoor kitchens continue to be popular, with 43 percent of respondents designing them in 2013 and 41 percent expecting a marked increase in 2014.
63 percent of respondents specified energy-saving appliances in 2013, and 60 percent expect to see more demand this year. Almost 40 percent of designers specified water-saving kitchen faucets in 2013, and 47 percent see the market expanding in 2014.
Furniture-type pieces were specified in kitchens by eight out of 10 respondents in 2013, and 56 percent expect to do more in 2014.
Some 70 percent of respondents expect quartz countertops to increase in 2014. Almost a quarter of respondents specified countertops with recycled materials and 40 percent expect to do more in 2014.
Wood, the most specified flooring in 2013, will grow even more in 2014.
Glass, now number three for backsplashes, is predicted to grow in popularity in 2014.
Satin nickel, now the most popular faucet finish, is expected to continue to flourish in 2014, as will polished chrome.
Stainless steel is the most popular sink material with porcelain enamel a distant second. Granite composite, now number three, is expected to grow in 2014.

The 420 kitchen and bathroom professionals who participated in this year’s research represent a significant segment of the market for professionally designed and installed bathrooms in the United States and Canada. Respondents reported kitchen project prices ranged from less than $20,000 to more than $100,000.

Respondents reported the products, colors and features they used most often in their 2013 kitchens, then predicted which ones will flourish or fade in 2014.

In the fading column, NKBA members are doing fewer kitchens with highly ornamented Tuscan and Provincial looks. Distressed and/or glazed finishes are also less popular, as is country/rustic styles. They expect to use fewer electric cooktops and porcelain enamel sinks in 2014.
Dozens of NKBA members reported that they created kitchens with features to accommodate cats and dogs, from day beds to feeding stations, litter box cabinets to doggy faucets.

America’s bathroom styles are shifting. According to research released today at the 2014 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), we like our bathrooms contemporary, spa-like, accessible, and easy to maintain.

“Spa-like bathrooms and Zen-like retreats are definitely desired aspects of today’s bathrooms, driving a more contemporary aesthetic,” said John Petrie, CMKBD, of Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and the 2014 National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) President.

The ascendency of contemporary style is a major shift in the NKBA 2014 Kitchen and Bath Design Trends Survey. As recently as a few years ago, traditional styling represented three-quarters of the bathrooms designed by NKBA members. Traditional bathrooms are now trailing contemporary (68 percent), while still representing 62 percent of the bathroom projects completed by NKBA bathroom designers in 2013.

Other key findings about bathroom design trends include:

Beige and bone color schemes, with white fixtures and polished chrome faucets were popular designs in 2013. Gray, the third most popular color scheme in 2013, will be by far the fastest growing in 2014, according to 58 percent of designer respondents.
57 percent of NKBA respondents specified bathrooms they described as universal design/accessible in 2013. And 60 percent anticipate doing more in 2014.
A fully 64 percent of NKBA designers specified a soaking tub in a master bath, with 42 percent expecting that trend to accelerate in 2014. Their preferences lean towards free-standing non-jetted tubs.
About one-third of bathroom designers included shower lighting; and 70 percent included benches or seats in showers. Both are expected to increase in 2014.
Electric radiant floor heating was specified by 55 percent of respondents and half see it increasing in 2014.
Steam showers gained steam, with twice as many respondents specifying steam showers as whirlpools for master baths in 2013. 44 percent of respondents see the demand for steam showers increasing in 2014.
Approximately half of NKBA respondents specified no-threshold showers, and seven out of 10 expect to do more in 2014.
84 percent specified comfort height toilets and 81 percent, comfort height vanities in 2013. Almost two-thirds see them increasing in 2014.

The 420 kitchen and bathroom professionals who participated in this year’s research represent a significant segment of the market for professionally designed and installed bathrooms in the United States and Canada. Respondents reported bathroom project prices ranged from less than $5,000 to more than $30,000.

Respondents reported the products, colors and features they used most often in their bathrooms in 2013, then predicted which trends will flourish or fade out for 2014.

In the fading column, a decline in Provincial and Tuscan-style bathrooms was noted, as well as a decline in rustic and country looks. Black is the least popular fixture color and is predicted to decline more in 2014.

“The outlook for 2014 bathrooms is a simple style, with emphasis on clean lines and accessible functionality with easy maintenance,” said Maria Stapperfenne, CKD, CBD, of Tewksbury Kitchen & Bath in Whitehouse Station, N.J.