More than 350 NKBA member designers participated in the 2012 Design Trends Survey, which looked at the materials, product types, and styles incorporated into kitchen and bath design. Based on the NKBA’s findings, here are the top 10 overall trends for kitchens and baths.
Style: Transitional is slightly more popular than traditional type of design. Transitional, which blends traditional and contemporary, is “typified by lines that are simpler than traditional, but a bit more elaborate than contemporary in order to create a modern classic look.” The group says the third most popular style is contemporary, followed by Shaker, Arts & Crafts, and Cottage.
Kitchen Cabinetry: Although cherry and maple are consistently among the top two most popular species for cabinetry, this year’s survey is seeing an increase in demand for lesser-used woods including oak, walnut, birch, alder, and bamboo.
Cabinetry Finishes: The use of darker natural finishes for wood cabinetry continues to be a growing trend, with a number of designers mixing dark and light for a tonal effect. For painted cabinetry, white continues to be the color of choice with a noteworthy comeback of distressed finishes.
Backsplashes: Although glass remains a niche material for kitchen countertops, it’s now being used by more than half of kitchen designers as a backsplash material. Other top backsplash materials include: natural stone tile, granite and quartz.
LED Lighting: Energy-efficiency is clearly not a fad, but a real trend that can be seen taking hold in homes across the United States and Canada. Despite the higher initial cost, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is proof of this trend. LED is specified by 70% of NKBA member kitchen designers.
Pull-Out Faucets: Pull-out kitchen faucets are the dominant type of kitchen faucet. Designers are increasingly eschewing the standard faucet with a detached side spray in favor of pull-out models that integrate the two functions into a single unit.
Medicine Cabinets: In the past, the tried-and-true medicine cabinet has been swept aside in bathroom remodels to be replaced by decorative wall mirrors. However, as homeowners look for more efficient use of space, we are seeing a demand for medicine cabinets as an effective way to gain additional storage without having to increase the footprint of a room, lessening the need for separate shelving, cabinetry, or other storage options.
Solid Surfaces: A year ago, the use of solid surfaces was a key trend in the kitchen; this year, it’s an even stronger trend, and one that has moved from the kitchen to include bathrooms. In order of popularity, kitchen and bath solid surfaces include: granite, quartz, marble, and glass (the new immerging design choice).
Wall Color: When artfully incorporated into a space, gray color schemes can allow for very attractive, distinguished looks without overpowering a design. Whites and off-whites continue to be the most popular color schemes in the kitchen and bathroom, followed by beiges and bones. Brown is the third most popular color in kitchens and the fourth most popular in bathrooms, just behind gray. Looking for a spark of color? In the kitchen, bronzes and terracottas continue to be in vogue. Green continues to remain a solid color trend in bathrooms. And blue has is emerging as the fifth most popular color in bathrooms.
Polished Metal is Back: While bronze finish faucets continue to be popular, polished chrome is staging a comeback being specified by 52% of NKBA member designers for today’s trendy kitchens. Also on the upturn is polished chrome in the bathroom as well as polished nickel. Stainless steel has also seen an increased demand in both kitchens and bathrooms.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL KITCHEN & BATH ASSOCIATION
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for more than 45 years. NKBA.org provides consumers with an inspiration gallery of award-winning kitchen and bath designs, as well as articles, tips, and an extensive glossary of remodeling terms. For additional information visit NKBA.org.
About Speas Interior Design: An award winning Colorado Springs Interior Designer, Kathy Speas is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and an expert on incorporating style, comfort, and livability into your home and lifestyle.
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