Trends from the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is the largest kitchen and bath design event in North America. KBIS reflects the trends that will influence kitchen design in the future and also demonstrates new technology that may enhance anyone’s lifestyle. Trends ranged from customizable faucets to bold-colored appliances and everything in between. It was hard not to be impressed by the continued technological connectivity and integration of kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures. One appliance manufacturer has incorporated sou vide cooking capabilities into a standard 36-inch range. Another manufacturer featured a dual fuel range that combines induction burners with gas countertops on the stove top and a dual oven cavity that enables home cooks to roast a giant turkey on one side and cook vegetables on the other. There are now ovens that allow you to cook by function, food or recipe and can even convert the stars of HGTVs "Worst Cooks In America" into gourmet chefs. Don't worry if you don't know how to cook or don't like to, there are ovens that ask you to dial in the attributes of what you want to cook, and you can set it and then forget it. Some refrigerators allow you to check their contents from your smartphone while at the grocery store or any other place. Others feature computers that enable you to store recipes, make grocery lists or order via your home assistant. Zoned refrigeration continues to evolve and allows you to store foodstuffs and beverages at the perfect temperatures. Another trend is the growth of beverage stations. Whether you want a built-in coffee station or a wine dispenser, there is an appliance that can meet your needs. Appliances finishes showed many pops of color. What we did not see a lot of was traditional stainless steel. Colorful hues dominated at the 2019 KBIS along with black stainless. One of the cooler new appliances unveiled at KBIS was Miele’s active steam ironing board. There is a heating element in the pad that helps to warm clothing before the iron touches it, thus enabling the steam from the iron to evaporate more effectively. Fans in the board help to billow clothes, and that helps fabrics such as wool and cashmere keep their shape. Storage solutions continue to evolve not only for the kitchen but also for the bathroom. We saw many shallow upper cabinets designed for the bath that can be recessed into the wall to avoid having to dedicate countertop space for storage. Another bath trend was the use of two to three different tiles in the bath, combining small-scale mosaics with 4 by 6-inch wall tiles and 12 by 24-inch floor tiles. The ability to customize fixtures such as faucets and tubs is becoming much easier. We saw more air massage tubs than jetted tubs. At KBIS, we saw a few head-turning bathroom faucets. The first, a 3-D printed faucet from DXV by American Standard. The Blade is printed from stainless steel then hand finished. Water flow is activated by a sensor that turns on and off as a user approaches or leaves. Water flows from a circular opening in the edge of the faucet. Axor unveiled its MyEdition Customizable Cover Plates. You can select from six cover plates made from leather, wood, two types of marble and mirrored or black glass for the sink and tub faucets. Want a custom color on your tub? Not a problem for Victoria + Albert. It’s freestanding tubs and washbasins come in a choice of 200 different colors and glossy or matte finishes. If you thought Corian was a countertop. Think again. The company introduced new material that can be used as a wall covering with undulating panels that are cut out like puzzle pieces for easy assembly on site that can be backlit to create a dramatic effect. If you would like to discuss how you can take advantage of the latest trends and technology to make life easier and more rewarding for yourself and your family, call our showroom at 215-357-9300 or visit us at 350 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville, PA 19053.