The National Kitchen+Bath Association (NKBA) released its design trends report for 2018. The report identifies key design trends in kitchen and baths (finishes, colors, appliances, etc.) and predicts which trends could become more mainstream in the future.
Here are the key trends the NKBA identified for kitchens:
- Farmhouse kitchens are the most popular style, with 79% of respondents saying the style is “trendy” or “very trendy.” Transitional and contemporary are the second and third most popular styles, respectively.
- For cabinets, 86% of respondents say paint is the dominant choice for cabinet facing. Wood was second at 74%; glass trailed at 44%
- Quartz tops the trend for surfaces; 94% of respondents report that it's popular for kitchen countertops
- Undermount sinks are the most popular style (92%), followed by single-bowl and farmhouse sinks (both at 81%)
- White and grey are still the most popular colors for the kitchens, while blue (52%), black (41%), and beige (40%) follow
- Wall-mounted flat screens are the most popular technology in homes, as 62% already have them installed. Not many homeowners have integrated much smart technology into their kitchens, according to respondents
Some of the emerging kitchen trends, according to the NKBA’s resident designer, Elle H-Millard are
- Induction and steam cooking
- Color pairings of gold and white or rose gold and white
- More technology like wireless connectivity and smart devices
- More color in kitchens
- French door ovens
When it comes to bathrooms, respondents reported
- Transitional (74%), contemporary (60%), and traditional (53%) top the design styles in bathrooms
- Wood is the most popular material for cabinets; built-in and furniture pieces are common
- Undermount sinks are the most popular (87% of respondents say it’s popular)
- Brushed nickel, satin nickel, and chrome are the most popular faucet finishes
- Quartz (91%) is the most popular countertop, following by granite (61%) and marble (45%)
- When it comes to bathtubs, freestanding are still trending for homeowners (87%)
- White and grey are the top color choices for the bathroom, followed by blue
And in bathrooms of the future
- Toilets with digital controls
- Barn doors in every style
- Textured wall tile
- Live-edge slab countertops
- Steam showers
To get its numbers, the NKBA conducted an online survey for three weeks in 2017 to which 822 professionals responded.