This year seems to be the year for traditional looks to finally give up their crown and pass it on to the modern high-tech look in both kitchens and bathrooms. If you talk to many new home builders and designers now report that more clients are looking for contemporary styling for both of these very important rooms in the house. At the same time, the demand for the latest technology has increased substantially.
According to the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Report, issued by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), American tastes now lean more towards streamlined kitchens with plenty of light and bright surfaces. At the same time, we want bathrooms loaded with features, stacked with technology, and filled with plenty of safety features.
Of all the changes home designers and builders say clients are interested in, technology and technology integration are considered to be among those highest in demand. Approximately 1/3rd of all NKBA professionals say the homes they are building include additional electrical wiring and ethernet wiring for future appliance integration. The number of internet-connected appliances and docking stations is driving this demand upwards at an ever-faster pace.
Other changes include putting power strips under kitchen cabinets instead of backsplash mounted outlets. They also include adding wiring for both audio and video signals throughout the house, including the kitchen & bathroom. Having video feeds into the bathroom is becoming commonplace, where once it was considered a luxury.
In the 50s, metal cabinets were all the rage but soon passed into history. But, the funny thing about history is that it has a habit of repeating itself. More home designers are reporting an increase in the number of clients showing interest in metal cabinetry. Along with the use of metal cabinets, darker glossy colors are making a comeback because younger designers seek out new color palettes to work with.
Two-tone kitchens are also gaining rapidly in popularity. Colors in the bathroom such as blues, purples, and violets are being used to add a splash of color with high-gloss finishes are now among the most popular as people look for a brighter airier feel in their homes.
Over 50% of all NKBA members state that soaking and freestanding tubs feature high on the list of popular bathroom amenities. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. To go along with this over 60% of home designers are saying they recommend these tubs as part of their designs.
Along with all of this, designers say that ADA compliant safety features, comfort height toilets and countertops, shower lighting and seats, and no threshold showers are among the top bathroom features being requested. It would seem that while ADA compliant safety features are not new, what is going on, is that more people are conscious of the fact they may be in their home as they reach their retirement years and want their home to be properly prepared.
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