NKBA survey reveals 11 kitchen, bath trends for 2011

The National Kitchen & Bath Association surveyed over 100 U.S. and Canadian members who designed kitchens or bathrooms in the last three months of 2010 to compile a list of seven kitchen and four bathroom trends to look out for in 2011.
In kitchens, Shaker style has gained popularity, taking over contemporary style as the second-most popular look. Dark was the most specified finish at the end of 2010, and LED lighting was listed by 54% of respondents as the most requested lighting type. Unchilled wine storage, French-door refrigerators, induction cooktops and efficient trash methods like pull-outs, disposals and compactors all increased in popularity in the last three months of 2010.
Quartz countertops in bathrooms are closing in on the more popular granite style and greens were included with whites, off-whites, beiges and browns as popular bathroom color palettes. Vessel sinks and satin nickel faucets (the faucets are also a popular choice for kitchens) both saw an upswing in requests in the last quarter of 2010.

Glitzy out, functional in

Without the large appreciation in home values between 1995 and 2005, kitchen and bathroom design has become more modest. Meanwhile, residential architects are continuing to report declining business conditions, according to the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2009. The survey focused on kitchen and bathrooms.
This survey indicated that functionality is now preferred to more and larger kitchens and bathrooms in U.S. homes. Households are planning more importance on products that promote energy efficiency. Products that are adaptable in the use of space for seniors and people with accessibility concerns are also becoming more important.
Overall, homes continue to be smaller on average than they were during the past 10 years, says Kermit Baker, AIA chief economist. "But since kitchens remain the nerve center of the home, doing more with less space is a key consideration. "Integrating kitchens with family space remains a design priority."
Baker says that homeowners want areas devoted to recycling, pantries, computer workstations and spaces devoted to recharging cell phones and PDAs. The most popular kitchen products and features in the most recent survey were: recycling center (52 percent); larger pantry space (47 percent); renewable flooring materials (46 percent); renewable countertop materials (46 percent) and computer area/recharging stations (43 percent).
In the bathroom, Baker says that homeowners are moving away from glitzy features such as steam showers and towel warming drawers/racks and instead are looking for water-saving toilets, radiant heated flooring and LED lighting options. Popular bathroom features included water-saving toilets (63 percent); radiant heated floors (52 percent); and accessibility/universal design (50 percent).
Although it is too early to think that the residential market has fully recovered, there are two encouraging signs in the survey. Overall business conditions are far better than they were a year ago at this time, and there is improvement in those housing sectors that need to lead a broader improvement in the housing market: remodeling and alterations of existing homes. Both segments were reported to be growing.

Cabinet sales decrease 25.1% in Oct.

Cabinet sales for October 2009 decreased 25.1 percent compared to sales for October 2008, according to participating members in the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association monthly Trend of Business Survey.
Stock cabinet sales decreased 23 percent, semi-custom sales decreased 25.9 percent and custom sales decreased 31.3 percent.
The year-to-date sales show a decrease of 30.2 percent, with stock sales down 25.6 percent, semi-custom sales down 32.9 percent and custom sales down 37.2 percent.
Survey participants include stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent over 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Super sneaky vacuum

I don’t mean a dog. But, if you have a dog, you know whatever food hits the floor will be “taken” care of. Think of the Vroom as a dog you never have to walk.

This sweet vacuum is hidden in a kitchen or bathroom cabinet and is ready to suck up your latest mess. I think I’m in love!
The Vroom features a 24-foot-long hose, and automatically turns on when the hose is pulled from the base and shuts off when it’s put back in place. It also has a built-in crevice tool for hard-to-reach messes and has more suction than handheld or upright vacuums.

Let the spin begin: K/BIS feels the heat

As the economy continues to challenge most industry sectors, trade shows and other marketing events are feeling the pain. The International Builders’ Show, (IBS), held in Las Vegas Jan. 20-23. reported an attendance drop of more than 90,000.
According to a statement released from the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference, (K/BIS), “As nearly all other industry shows have experienced a decline in exhibitors and attendees in recent years, false impressions have begun to spread about an equally steep reduction in numbers for K/BIS 2009. This is simply untrue.”
While the majority of the show’s large exhibitors are still scheduled to appear, the question remains will the attendees come?
To generate interest, the show is pulling out all the stops. This year’s show features a plethora of “celebrities.” The following “celebrities” are scheduled to appear:
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s” Paul DiMeo,
“This Old House’s” Richard Tretheway and Carole Fruehauf,
John Gidding of HGTV’s “Designed to Sell”,
Aida Mollenkamp of Food Network’s “Ask Aida”,
“The Young & the Restless’” Steve Ford (son of President Gerald Ford),
Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee.
K/BIS also is offering a lineup of business speakers, including economist Terry Savage and “Green to Gold” author Andrew Winston, as well as Harry Gianetti, former Vice President of Thermador, BSH, Mills Pride, and Elica.
IBS and K/BIS have different core audiences. IBS attracts more builders and general contractors, while K/BIS appeals to custom builders and higher end designers who cater to a recession-resistant clientele. The show’s attendance will be down from last year, but it probably won’t be as much as IBS experienced.
K/BIS 2009 will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, April 30 – May 3.