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.

NKBA unveils 2010 kitchen, bath trends

Even though the economy is sputtering, kitchen and bathrooms continue to be rooms that homeowners want to trick out, update or gut. Here’s what the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is predicting for 2010 kitchen and bath trends based on surveys from its members.

Traditional is cool again. Traditional is the most popular kitchen design style but contemporary isn’t far behind. Shaker cabinets are experiencing a strong resurgence and neutral tones are favored. Shades of white and off-whites are the most popular kitchen colors and brown, beige and bone hues are also finding favor.

Cherry rules. Cherry is the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry followed by maple and alder is also gaining ground. For finishes, medium natural, dark natural, glazed and white painted are preferred. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline including distressed finishes.

Tile trumps wood. Ceramic, porcelain tiles and natural stone remain popular for kitchen floors. As for countertops granite is still the most favored, edging out quartz. For backsplashes, ceramic, porcelain tile and glass are most wanted.

Cabinet trends. When pitching a new kitchen design, here are a few options to mention: under counter refrigeration and dishwasher in a drawer. Both will require special cabinetry and electrical and plumbing considerations.

Bathrooms

Traditional beats edgy. Maybe it’s the economy or maybe people don’t want industrial looking bathrooms anymore. Traditional is the most popular design style for 2010 with a neutral color scheme.

Hard surface flooring. Ceramic and porcelain tile is the dominate flooring material for bathrooms this year including natural stone. For vanity tops granite is king but quartz and marble are also popular options.