Kitchen & Bath Industry Show 2023 Highlights
At the end of January I made the trip to Vegas to take in the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show along with the Las Vegas Market (more on that part on an upcoming post). While I like to keep our designs as timeless as possible, it’s still important to have a sense of what is new in terms of look and feel as well as from a functionality and technology point of view. So here is my take on the Bathroom, Kitchen and Appliance trends that you should know about.
Bathroom Trends
We spent a lot of our time at KBIS taking in everything the bathroom / plumbing manufactures had to offer. In addition to a couple show stopper displays, there were just so many options, finishes, tech and more to take in and learn about. Here are the trends that stood out to me as we went through.
Mix and Match
One item we saw with several manufacturers when it comes to faucets is the ability to customize them with different handles. I really love this flexibility as often we’ll like an aspect of a particular item, like the faucet, but prefer a different handle options. This takes it to the next level. You can even pair different handles together if you prefer!
MORE METAL finish and MIXED MATERIALS
One new metal finish that popped up is a sort of deeper gunmetal - Brizo calls their’s Brilliance Black Onyx. It definitely has a more masculine feel but I think it can be a great look when paired with the right elements in the right space. I don’t know if it will be a lasting finish, but it could be fun to play with in the right space. Perrin & Rowe also had an interesting finish, English Bronze, which caught my attention.
Wood accents were also seen on plumbing fixtures from most major brands. While most is done in a teak, I’d still be hesitant to use them in high traffic bathrooms or children’s bathrooms just in case. Additionally, we saw acrylic, crystal and stone accents too. So many options to truly personalize the look of your faucets.
One of the standout options to me was the Frank Lloyd Wright line from Brizo. I love that the faucet incorporates wood elements AND dispenses the water like a waterfall. Their shower head in this line is also a showstopper with a built in light that is powered by the flow of water. Genius.
Colour
I think that Kohler’s use of colour in their booth was likely the most photographed and shared element of the show. But they weren’t the only ones bringing all the colour to the bathroom. While I’m personally not sold on the coloured toilets, I do think that they could be a fun element to bring into your bathroom. I do, however, love the coloured tubs and sinks. The freestanding tubs are already a feature in most bathrooms so adding the colour makes sense here. Similarly, a coloured sink option in a laundry or powder room is also a great way to add a feature to those spaces.
At home spa
One of the standout items we saw was Toto’s zero-gravity flotation tub. While it does come with a hefty price tag, this would be a great addition for someone who really wants that spa experience at home. If I had the space for one, I’d definitely be considering (and saving up for) it as I know I’d use it a lot!
Beyond that, we also saw some infinity edge style tubs, Japanese style deep square and round tubs, as well as unique rain shower heads and other shower elements. A lot of items to really bring those elements of relaxation and luxury into your day-to-day life.
The bidet is here to stay
We’ve been seeing this more with our clients and manufactures are working hard to make stylish and minimal bidet seats loaded with all the options you could want. I can see the integrated bidet toilets becoming the new standard very soon. While Toto still leads the way in the bidet technology, they also have some great tech when it comes to cleanliness like their ACTILIGHT, EWATER+, TORNADO FLUSH and CEFIONTECT features. On the bidet side, their options include front / rear / soft wash modes, dual flush functionality, auto open / close, auto flush, oscillating and pulsing comfort washing, automatic air purifying, heated seats, and more.
Kitchen Trends
On the kitchen side of things, we’re probably most excited about surfaces and then all things appliances (which is why appliances are getting their own section in this post). We’re definitely seeing a lot more colour in kitchens and that’s something I love to incorporate with particular elements, but certain colours on certain items are a real commitment that I wouldn’t always recommend for the longevity of the look (and resale value too).
Texture and Unique Profiles
Texture was a big trend in the kitchen, particularly with countertops and hardware. We saw a lot of non-polished finishes on countertops along with debossed options. More decorative edge profiles were seen along with combining rough and smooth textures. Utilizing countertops to create unique shapes, angles and organic textures was also something we saw.
In hardware, texture and mixed materials / finishes were also on display. This also applies to other elements like appliance handles and the ability to customize your details and finishes.
Porcelain COUNTERTOPS
Look for more porcelain countertop surfaces to be hitting the market. Brands who have traditionally focused on quartz are adding porcelain options to their line. Porcelain is also necessary for integrating Invisacook Induction Hob technology into your kitchen.
Colour
Embracing colour, particularly with sinks, was a theme seen across manufacturers. While the GE Cafe line and Smeg are still bringing all the colour into the kitchen, I feel like it’s a big commitment and investment that you have to really love (with the exception of GE’s white finish as it’s what all white appliances should aspire to haha). I do enjoy some of their smaller options like the ice maker that would be a great place to pull in colour when used in a wet bar situation. That being said, options like the interchangeable coloured refrigerator panels from Samsung give you that flexibility to change it up if you get tired of a look without replacing the entire appliance.
Appliance Trends
And speaking of appliances… we spent a lot of time learning about various appliance lines, new features and technology as well as other design trends - so they get their own section. Here are the standout items for me.
Induction is where we’re heading
We’ve been noticing that most of our clients are making the move to induction cooktops already and the appliance manufactures are definitely stepping up their game when it comes to the options and features of their induction models. One of my favourite options is Fulgor Milano’s new 48” induction range which features an induction griddle, as well as Miele’s cooktops and Bertolini’s stunning induction range with automotive paint finishes.
Smart technology making cooking easier
Two standouts from the smart technology standpoint in appliances are Samsung and GE Profile. I really enjoyed GE’s smart small appliances. The espresso machine connects to an app to create your desired volume and strength of beverage (plus a ton of other great features like a cup warmer and built in conical burr grinder with 15 grind levels). The stand mixer was my favourite with a built in scale and auto sense that knows just how long to whisk your egg whites (among other settings and options). As well as their nugget ice makers that keep your ice fresh and clump free by removing any ice melt and putting it back into the water reservoir (it also has a UV light that limits bacteria!).
Samsung has been leading the smart appliance market for a while. With helpful information like getting notifications to your phone with info like a fridge door being left open, how much longer is left on your laundry cycle, etc. as well as the ability to send cooking instructions to your oven. One of the fun new features includes refrigerator panels that, with Family Hub, allow you to display photos, stream music and videos.
Black is back
One of my favourite features from JennAir was the black “obsidian” interior featured in their integrated options. It just looks so classy when you open up that fridge! We also noticed a trend towards matte black appliances (particularly loved Fulgor Milano’s options) and were told that this has been a popular finish in Europe so I expect we’ll see it more here soon.
Smaller scale appliances
I was also happy to see so many of the appliance lines carrying smaller appliance sizes that still have higher end features with a great look and feel. Living in a city that is focused on increasing density, it’s important to have options like this as we develop more basement suites and garden / garage suites where your space is limited and the occupants tend to be just 1-2 people. So know there are several great options for 24” refrigerators, cooktops, ovens and laundry pairs, as well as 18” dishwashers!
INTEGRATED Appliances
Panel front everything was a huge trend across appliance manufacturers. We’re already a big fan of integrated and panel ready appliances as it helps to create a more cohesive look in a kitchen with less visual breaks. Some of the inspiration we saw was just incredible - like leather panels and stunning millwork.
I also think there is a move away from the statement range hoods. Again, giving that more cohesive look throughout but also the ability to create statements through the associated millwork that they can be encased in.
Laundry closets
Here’s an appliance that you may not have considered but I can see becoming a must-have item. We really loved GE Profile’s Steam Closet that reduces wrinkles and odours and Samsung’s Air Dresser which can steam, sanitize, dry and deodorize. Additionally, Samsung has a Shoe Dresser which specifically maintains and deodorizes shoes (I don’t think this one is available yet in North America though). Definitely keep these appliances in mind when you’re planning your laundry or walk-in closet renovations.
And that wraps up our rundown of the highlights from KBIS 2023! What product, trend or technology caught your eye? Let us know in the comments below.
If you are looking to update your kitchen or bathroom, please get in touch to discuss how best we can assist with the design and implementation of your project.