Trend Flash™ is exclusively for Members of The Trend Curve™ subscriber family with immediate updates from each market and trade show we cover worldwide. Michelle Lamb, Editorial Director for The Trend Curve, has been in Las Vegas for KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. Her top-line trends are below. Read more details about KBIS in the next issue of The Trend Curve.
Notable in Las Vegas:
COLOR
– Color stepped back in favor of neutrals
– Stainless steel was at no risk of losing its following for kitchen
– Chrome held the same dominant position for the bath
– That said, specialty finishes like oil-rubbed bronze picked up
– Champagne bronze was new and hot
– Gray gained for cabinets, tiles and counter surfaces
FUNCTIONALITY
– Soft-close cabinet drawers and doors took off
– Pull-down kitchen faucets moved firmly toward the mainstream
– Dual shower heads gained dramatically
– Apron-front kitchen sinks gained share
– Trough drains edged up for showers, replacing center types
– The newest tech toilet came with heat, light, speakers
SHAPE AND THEME
– Square shapes updated bathroom sinks
– Rectangular formats said “trend” for tile
– Different levels created unique tile surfaces
– Wood-look porcelain tile debuted in several stands
– Contemporary looks warmed up for kitchen and bath
– Art-Deco style hinted at a role for next time