Five Hot K+B Trends That Will Shape Design in 2016

At KBIS 2016 in Las Vegas, the NKBA K+B Insiders, a group of leading industry influencers and trendsetters, took to the show floor to uncover the latest introductions that will shape kitchen & bath design for the coming year. From streamlined storage solutions to retro-inspired appliances, 2016 design embraces clean lines, function, and experience. Below are the Insiders’ top trends and picks from KBIS:

1. When it comes to kitchen appliances, seamless integration is key

“Less is more was a design trend mantra for KBIS 2016, and appliance manufacturers are pushing the innovation envelope when it comes to seamlessly integrating kitchen appliances into the overall design of the space,” says NKBA K+B Insider and Master Builder Karl Champley.

“Gaggenau’s new AF 210 visor hood is right on trend when it comes to clean lines and integration. Pop it out when you need it, and tuck it out of sight when meal prep is through.”

“The second is a remarkable pizza oven from GE Monogram. Since it doesn’t require ventilation and transfers minimal heat, it can be installed nearly anywhere in the kitchen — even alongside cabinetry. If that wasn’t good enough, it cooks pizza in just two minutes (that’s not a typo). The $9,900 price tag may seem steep, but when you think about the dinners you’ll host with family and friends, that’s priceless.”

2. While neutral palettes rein, black and white palettes and texture surge

“During my time at KBIS, I noticed two very compelling, recurring themes: the use of striking black and white palettes, and the addition of texture in unique applications,” says NKBA K+B Insider Paloma Contreras, interior designer and voice behind the award-winning blog La Dolce Vita.

“Kelly Wearstler’s new collection with Ann Sacks drew on her love of texture, nature and bold patterns from 1970s Italian design. The collection includes 18 ceramic tiles and 8 stone mosaics — I can’t wait to use them in client projects. The NKBA Design Trend Report forecasts a surge in neutral palettes, and this stunning tile collection is perfectly suited for it; the variety of textures and use of materials make it anything but boring,” Paloma says.

Chrome may hold the number-one spot as the faucet finish of choice, but NKBA K+B Insiders Mercedes Desio and Alberto Villalobos, of design firm Villalobos Design, noticed an increasing use of black finishes. “Not only does a matte black look sleek and timeless, it doesn’t show fingerprint smudges, which is incredibly practical,” Desio and Villalobos say. “Jason Wu’s collaboration with Brizo included a beautifully crafted matte black collection, which morphs the faucet into a fashion accessory for the space.”

3. Personalized luxury is back in the bath

“The housing market’s recovery mode cast a cautious attitude on design, but the optimistic outlook for 2016 has far-reaching impacts — including trends and new product introductions. The 2016 NKBA Design Trends Report forecasted the influence of ‘stealth wealth’ in bathroom design, and those personalized luxurious experiences resonated throughout the show,” says NKBA K+B Insider Patrica Davis Brown, CKD, CBD, ASID, NCIDQ and blogger behind Dig This Design.

Among Patricia’s finds: “The Per Se lavatory faucet from Kallista, which can be decorated with semiprecious stones like Malachite or Lapis Lazuli.

Stealth wealth also translates to a growing demand for high-tech bathing, like the Kohler DTV+ Shower System, a digital showering experience with a touch screen interface allows the user to control and customize every element of the multi-sensory experience.”

4. Retro colors make a comeback in kitchen appliances

The 2016 NKBA Design Trends Report also found homeowners don’t want the same thing as their neighbors — instead, they want to create a unique look through bright splashes of color — whether it’s in a backsplash or kitchen appliances. “I saw a number of appliances that harkened back to the styles of the 1950s,” says NKBA K+B Insider Young Huh. “Even the most contemporary style appliances were available in pinks, soft blues, green blues and oranges that were popular in times past. 50s through 70s styling was strong throughout the show.”

Fellow insider Paloma Contreras agrees: “My other favorite introduction was Suzanne Kasler’s collection for La Cornue. The classic French ranges are truly like jewelry for the kitchen. The collection takes the distinctive silhouettes of La Cornue and updates the timeless statement pieces using an assortment of beautiful, pastel colors. The result is at once fresh and completely classic.”

5. Super durable surfaces break the design mold

“Big players in the quartz surfacing industry have proved they can capture the look of natural stone, but my favorite introductions were colors that didn’t pretend to be something else,” says Huh.

“Both Neolith and Cosentino shined, showcasing never-before-seen countertop materials that felt sexy, new and tech-savvy. I particularly liked Etchings, the latest introductions to the Silestone Influencer Series — I’d love to do kitchen counters in Ink or Aquatint.”

Brown credits the surging popularity of quartz countertops with homeowners’ demand for materials that are livable and durable. “In the NEOLITH booth they struck a slab with a hammer — sparks flew but the surface was unmarred. They even ignited a flammable liquid directly on the surface and yet again, no damage done.”

KBIS 2016 was full of hot trends, including the 2016 Best of KBIS winners and Best of KBIS People’s Choice winners. This year’s winners are the best in new kitchen and bath industry products, pushing the boundaries of design, technology and innovation.

The 2016 Best of KBIS winners are:

• Best in Show: Electrolux for Perfect Steam Washer w/ LuxCare Wash and SmartBoost
• Best of Bath Gold: DXV by American Standard for Vibrato Faucet
• Best of Bath Silver: Robern for Balletto Vanity
• Best of Kitchen Gold: Walker Zanger for Kaza Concrete
• Best of Kitchen Silver: Liebherr for Undercounter Pullout Refrigerator

Best of KBIS 2016 People’s Choice Awards are:

• Best in Kitchen: Viking’s Incogneeto™ Induction Warmer
• Best in Bath: Robern‘s Balletto Vanity

Throughout 2016, the NKBA K+B Insiders will report on the latest industry trends from across the globe, must-attend events and top industry trade shows — stay up-to-date on the latest trends with #KBInsider on Twitter and Facebook, and through the K+B Insider guest blog posts on the NKBA Connect blog.