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

Architects | Jan 26, 2022

HMC Architects Welcomes New Director of Sustainability

The Sacramento studio of leading national architecture and design firm HMC Architects has announced the appointment of new Director of Sustainability Jennifer Wehling, who joined in December

Market Data | Jan 26, 2022

2022 construction forecast: Healthcare, retail, industrial sectors to lead ‘healthy rebound’ for nonresidential construction

A panel of construction industry economists forecasts 5.4 percent growth for the nonresidential building sector in 2022, and a 6.1 percent bump in 2023.

Sponsored | Steel Buildings | Jan 25, 2022

Multifamily + Hospitality: Benefits of building in long-span composite floor systems

Long-span composite floor systems provide unique advantages in the construction of multi-family and hospitality facilities. This introductory course explains what composite deck is, how it works, what typical composite deck profiles look like and provides guidelines for using composite floor systems. This is a nano unit course.

Sponsored | Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 25, 2022

Concrete buildings: Effective solutions for restorations and major repairs

Architectural concrete as we know it today was invented in the 19th century. It reached new heights in the U.S. after World War II when mid-century modernism was in vogue, following in the footsteps of a European aesthetic that expressed structure and permanent surfaces through this exposed material. Concrete was treated as a monolithic miracle, waterproof and structurally and visually versatile.

Urban Planning | Jan 25, 2022

Retooling innovation districts for medium-sized cities

This type of development isn’t just about innovation or lab space; and it’s not just universities or research institutions that are driving this change.

Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022

Norshield Products Fortify Critical NYC Infrastructure

New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration. 

Coronavirus | Jan 20, 2022

Advances and challenges in improving indoor air quality in commercial buildings

Michael Dreidger, CEO of IAQ tech startup Airsset speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield about how building owners and property managers can improve their buildings' air quality.

Architects | Jan 17, 2022

OSPORTS adds Robert Hayes to lead operational and business development efforts

Hayes will guide the OSPORTS organization in its mission to offer a unique perspective to designing world-class facilities.

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