What’s Hot in Baths & Kitchens
The (NKBA) National Kitchen & Bath Association has released its annual report of the Top 10 trends to watch for in the coming year. So I thought I’d share highlights from this report.
As with, glass backsplashes and LED lighting remain popular. Interest in white-painted cabinetry has grown, as has gray as a foundation color for many designs. More designers are specifying high-tech touch-activated faucets.
White cabinets, high-tech faucets, and gray is the new black — again!
The New Neutral
The NKBA says that gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year.
White Wins Out
With white as the top option for kitchen and bath color, it’s no surprise that white-painted cabinets have stayed on top of the chart since last year. Use of wood tones has remained consistent over the last year. Light cabinetry finishes are currently used by 30% of respondents, medium finishes by 54%, and dark finishes by 55%.
Style Options
Traditional kitchen and bath designs continue to give way to transitional styling, which NKBA defines as a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary. Traditional was the most popular design aesthetic in 2010 and 2011, while transitional design takes the lead in 2012. Traditional styles hold steady at 60% and 58% in kitchens and bathrooms, respectively. Contemporary design secured a close third in the most recent poll.
Finishes & Fixtures
Tops in countertops: Granite remains the surfacing material of choice, used by 87% of kitchen designers and 71% of bathroom designers, but quartz is narrowing the gap.
High-class glass: Preference for glass backsplashes has grown dramatically in the last three years from 42% to 64%. Ceramic and porcelain tiles remain the top option for the third consecutive year.
Bright light: LED Lighting is being specified by a higher percentage of designers, increasing from 70% to 77% over the past year. This trend has serious staying power.
Faucet features: This year’s report notes that a third of member designers specified touch-activated faucets. Pull-outs are the clear leader by functionality. Pot fillers are also gaining in popularity.
Best finish: Satin nickel remains the most-used finish for kitchen fixtures. Bronze and oil-rubbed bronze finishes are also very popular.
