Bold Color & Sustainable Materials Among Top Trends
October 18, 2023
The NKBA Design Trends Report 2023 reveals that clients want larger, multi-functional spaces designed to fit their lifestyles with a focus on storage, wellness amenities, and “functional” technology.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), producer of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), has released its 2023 Design Trends research report, which provides insight into the styles, colors, product features, materials, and technology expected to dominate kitchen and bath design over the next two to three years.
“Kitchens and baths are bigger and more involved,” said Tricia Zach, head of Research, NKBA. “The study revealed that consumers want spaces to be multi-functional to meet their at-home work, education, and entertaining needs.”
Other key findings of the 2023 Design Trends report include:
- Vibrant Design – Bold colors, accents, and mixed materials/themes are increasingly a factor in kitchens and baths.
- Sustainability Matters – Manufacturers’ sustainability practices are becoming more important to designers as they recommend products to clients.
- Expanded Spaces – Breaking down walls to expand spaces to add function or conceal clutter continues in importance. For kitchens, this means adding larger or double islands and walk-in pantries; for baths, it means adding a closet, dressing area and/or sitting room.
- Wellness Drives Design – Especially in the primary bath, where designers are creating spa-like experiences that offer clients a retreat for the mind and body.
- Tech to Make Life Easier – Technology continues to play a growing, but clearly “functional,” role in the kitchen and bath.
- Vibrant Design – Designers are combining multiple design elements and materials along with bold accents, splashes of color, and texture.
- Combining Design Styles to Create an Updated Look/Feel – Modern Farmhouse, Classic Contemporary, Organic Modern, Simple Transition, and Nature-Inspired looks continue strong, plus more mixing of warmer natural earthy tones, less gray and white, and more medium wood tones.
- Richer Colors – coastal blues, greens, and organic neutrals in both kitchen and bath remain popular. Bold colorful accents will be expressed through artwork, wallpaper, and backsplashes.
- Sustainability Matters – Clients are paying closer attention to more sustainable products and solutions in their homes as well as to the practices of manufacturers. They want to know about manufacturers’ sustainability practices.
- Greater Efficiency – There is more interest in having 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and using VOC-free paints.
- Calming Interiors – Using earthy, muted colors and light wood tones to create natural, soothing designs; adding spa-like features in showers such as large two-person showers, custom seats, multiple showerheads, zero clearance, and steam/thermostatic showers; opting for sanitary/easy-to-clean surfaces; installing larger windows that help connect us to the outdoors and adding windows above tubs to maximize natural light.
- Tech to Make Life Easier – Homeowners are adopting technology at a faster pace, specifically when it enables more individualized customization. Look for increased demand for using app/voice controls for lighting, water, and floor temperatures, humidity monitoring, touchless faucets, app-controlled appliances and whole-house systems, plus water conservation.
The NKBA annual online survey is conducted with members of the kitchen and bath industry, including designers, showrooms, dealers, specialists, manufacturers, kitchen and bath remodelers/contractors, and architects.
The full NKBA/KBIS 2023 Design Trends Research Report is included with NKBA membership; non-members may purchase the report for $2,995
