2018 Kitchen and Bath Trends As Seen at KBIS
I had the pleasure of attending the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (aka KBIS) in Orlando, Florida earlier this year. It's a ginormous convention showcasing all of the latest and greatest in kitchen and bath technology and materials.Here are the Top 5 Trends I saw:
Gold Finishes
Brass is back and with a vengeance. Whether it be a brushed brass or a french gold or a high shine gold, it is all the rage as you can see from the bath accessories, kitchen cabinet and open shelving pictured below. The warm tone of the metal is an elegant accent and elevates the overall look of a space. Many people are concerned about the longevity of this trend. I say if you love it, incorporate it into your home.
Black Finishes
Another "it" finish is matte black. It's available in bath and kitchen faucets and other hardware including shower doors. It is a high impact, high contrast finish that definitely makes a statement. If you're looking for a modern look, adding matte black materials will help you achieve that.
Walnut Cabinets
Walnut finishes are everywhere now. Solid walnut countertops and tabletops have been very popular in recent years and it's making its way to kitchen and bathroom cabinets. It is an expensive wood so a veneer finish helps keep the costs down. I, myself, had a solid walnut bathroom vanity made for my master bathroom renovation. Walnut looks great by itself or in combination with white and/or black finishes. It also has a very warm wood tone and the linear grain makes a beautiful statement.
Integrated LED lighting
LED lighting was everywhere at the convention. This was the most noticeable feature in practically everything. It's integrated into fence railing, in mirrors, in closet shelving, just about anything you can imagine.
Linear and Decorative Drains
Traditional shower drains are a thing of the past. The new style of drains are more decorative and have a more integrated look. Whether it's a square or linear drain, they are sleek and modern. Some even allow you to tile into it so it's less noticeable. I have installed these types into a few client projects and they are definitely the new trend in shower design.
I was also interviewed by KBIS at the Gerber and Danze booth about their products which I have in my own home and have specified for many of my client projects. The Gerber team was so amazing.
