flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

16 kitchen and bath design trends for 2014

16 kitchen and bath design trends for 2014

Work on multifamily housing projects? Here are the top kitchen and bath design trends, according to a survey of more than 420 kitchen and bath designers. 


By NKBA | March 27, 2014

When it comes to kitchen and bath design trends for both single-family and multifamily residences, contemporary is in, with clean, minimal lines and little ornamentation.

Universal design amenities and easy-maintenance features are also trending, according to a recent survey of more than 420 kitchen and bath design professionals by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

This year, consumers want kitchens that have “simple lines and not as much frou-frou, and are more about good storage and space planning,” summed up one NKBA designer.

Consumers want bathrooms to be “spaces to retreat and relax,” commented one member, “with luxurious details whenever possible.” Another sees “a general move toward simplicity in style, minimal color, but maximizing the features and storage.”

They are also demanding more universal design features. Fifty-seven percent of NKBA designers specified accessible or universal design features in bathrooms in 2013, and 56% incorporated them into kitchens. A majority of respondents anticipate adding more of these features, such as shower benches, comfort-height toilets, and vanities in baths; and microwave drawers and touch-activated or touch-less kitchen faucets in 2014.

The demand for easy maintenance spaces and products is also growing.

 
 

Bathroom design trends
 

1. Beige, bone and gray are hot and getting hotter

Beige and bone color schemes, with white fixtures and polished chrome faucets were popular designs in 2013. Gray, the third most popular color scheme in 2013, will be by far the fastest growing in 2014, according to 58% of designer respondents.
 
Photo Credit:David Bagosy Photography 
 
 
 
 

2. Universal design is becoming more universal

Fifty-seven percent of NKBA respondents specified bathrooms they described as universal design/accessible in 2013. And 60% anticipate doing more in 2014.
 
Photo: Bob Greenspan
 
 
 

3. Soaking tubs are in the spotlight

Fully 64% of NKBA designers specified a soaking tub in a master bath, with 42% expecting that trend to accelerate in 2014.
Preferences lean towards free-standing non-jetted tubs. 
 
Photo credit: Troy Thies
 
 
 

4. Shower seating is here to stay

About a third of designers included lighting in showers; and 70% included benches or seats. Both are expected to increase in 2014.
 
Photo credit: Bernard André Photography
 
 
 

5. Radiant floors may be heating up

Electric radiant floor heating was specified by 55% of respondents and half see it increasing in 2014.
 
Photo credit: Dave Adams Photography
 
 
 

6. Steam showers are gaining steam

Twice as many respondents specified steam showers as whirlpools for master baths in 2013.  Forty-four percent of respondents see the demand for steam showers increasing in 2014.
 
Photo credit: Troy Thies
 
 
 

7. No holding back on no-threshold showers

Approximately half of NKBA respondents specified no-threshold showers, and seven out of 10 expect to do more in 2014.
 
Photo credit:  Jason Karman
 
 
 

8. Comfort is key when it comes to toilets and vanities

Eighty-four percent specified comfort height toilets and 81% comfort height vanities in 2013. Almost two-thirds see them increasing in 2014.
 
Photo credit: PreviewFirst.com
 
 

 

 

 

 

Kitchen Design Trends


9. Granite is on top, but quartz is catching up

Some 70% of respondents see quartz countertops increasing in 2014. At the end of 2013, granite and quartz were almost tied for the top spot in countertop materials, at 91% and 90% respectively.

 
Photo credit: Arnal Photography - Larry Arnal
 
 
 

10. Stainless is timeless

Stainless steel is the most popular sink material with porcelain enamel a distant second. Granite composite, now number three, is expect to grow in 2014.
 
Photo credit: Peter Leach 
 
 
 

11. Pullout faucets still pulling ahead

Pullout faucets will continue to dominate the market in 2014 while touch-activated faucets are expected to grow at the expense of standard faucets. Almost 40% of designers specified water-saving faucets in 2013, and 47% see the market expanding in 2014.
 
Photo credit: Joshua Lawrence
 
 
 

12. Microwave drawers beating out warming drawers

Microwave drawers, convection ovens, and gas cooktops are all poised for growth in 2014, while freestanding microwaves, electric cooktops and warming drawers are predicted to decline.
 
Photo credit: Joshua Lawrence
 
 
 

13. Gray and white are hand-in-hand

Gray will be the fastest growing color scheme in 2014, according to 71% of respondents. It ended 2013 neck-and-neck with whites and off-whites, which are still the most popular overall color scheme.
 
Photo credit: Brandon Barré 
 
 
 

14. LEDs outshine incandescents

Whopping increases are expected for LEDs in all types of kitchen lighting this year while incandescents will sharply decline. LEDs already lead the way in general, task and accent lighting. Incandescents are the second most common general kitchen lighting. 
 
Photo credit: Greg Clark
 
 
 

15. Cherry tops the wood types in cabinets

Currently cherry claims the top spot for wood cabinets, maple lands in second place, and alder comes in third. But watch for walnut to grow in 2014. On the way out: oak, hickory, and pine.
 
Photo credit: Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography 
 
 
 

16. Flooring stays steady with wood, ceramic/porcelain 

Wood and ceramic/porcelain tile are expected to continue as the two most popular flooring materials.
 
Photo credit: Bob Narod, Photographer, LLC 

 

Related Stories

Mixed-Use | Apr 26, 2022

Downtown Phoenix to get hundreds of residential and student housing units

In fast-growing Phoenix, Arizona, a transit-oriented development called Central Station will sit adjacent to Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix campus. 

Hotel Facilities | Apr 25, 2022

U.S. hotel construction pipeline up 2%, with 5,090 projects in the works

The total U.S. hotel construction pipeline stands at 5,090 projects and 606,302 rooms at the end of the first quarter of 2022, up 2% by projects, but down 3% by rooms, according to the Q1 2022 Construction Pipeline Trend Report for the United States from Lodging Econometrics (LE). 

Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2022

Supply chain constraints, shifting consumer demands adding cost pressures to office fit-outs

Cushman & Wakefield’s 2022 Americas Office Fit-Out Cost Guide found supply chain constraints and shifting consumer demands will continue to add pressure to costs, both in materials and labor.

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 25, 2022

Iowa's Field of Dreams to get boutique hotel, new baseball fields

A decade ago, Go the Distance Baseball formed to preserve the Iowa farm site where the 1989 movie Field of Dreams was filmed. 

Building Team | Apr 22, 2022

EarthCam Adds Senior Leadership Roles to Facilitate Rapid Growth

EarthCam today announced several new leadership positions as it scales up to accommodate increasing demand for its webcam technology and services.

Architects | Apr 22, 2022

Top 10 green building projects for 2022

The American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment (COTE) has announced its COTE Top Ten Awards for significant achievements in advancing climate action.

Mixed-Use | Apr 22, 2022

San Francisco replaces a waterfront parking lot with a new neighborhood

A parking lot on San Francisco’s waterfront is transforming into Mission Rock—a new neighborhood featuring rental units, offices, parks, open spaces, retail, and parking.

Legislation | Apr 21, 2022

NIMBYism in the Sunbelt stymies new apartment development

Population growth in Sunbelt metro areas is driving demand for new apartment development, but resistance is growing against these projects.

Architects | Apr 21, 2022

A conversation with architect Robert A.M. Stern

The architect Robert A.M. Stern discusses his newly published memoir that touches on his childhood in New York and 50-plus-year career.

Building Team | Apr 20, 2022

White House works with state, local governments to bolster building performance standards

The former head of the U.S. Green Building Council says the Biden Administration’s formation of the National Building Performance Standards Coalition is a “tremendous” step in the right direction to raise building performance standards in the U.S.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Geothermal Technology

Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network

The city of Rochester, Minn., home of the famed Mayo Clinic, is going big on geothermal networks. The city is constructing Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) that consist of ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via water-source heat pumps.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021