Our inaugural “Multifamily Kitchen+Bath Amenities Survey” of multifamily developers, architects, contractors, and other professionals provides exclusive data – 111 charts and tables – on the state of K+B amenity usage in multifamily housing.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE REPORT (SHORT REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Among the key findings:
Some products stand out as evergreens, based on their high response rates: dishwashers (used by 97% of respondents, including 89% “extensively”); Energy Star appliances (95% usage, including 83% “extensively”); and installed microwave ovens (used by 94%, including 84% “extensively”).
• Project teams had favorite K+B amenities that they use consistently in their work – but they were open to trying many new products, such as induction cooktops, for the first time as well.
• All 106 K+B products or specifications were employed by at least some respondents, although the adoption rate for some of these products or specification types was sometimes in the low single digits.
• Supply chain problems, notably for appliances and cabinets, had impacted project delivery.
• Some project teams installed specific K+B products for the first time; others said they intend to use various K+B products, like air filtration systems, that they had never used before in future projects.
Here's an example of one of the 106 K+B amenities featured in the report:
![K+B countertops used by respondents](/sites/default/files/inline-images/K%2BB%20countertops.png)
Participants in the survey included architects (45%), developers/property owners/property managers (25%), contractors (16%), interior designers (9%), product manufacturers (3%), and engineers (2%). They developed, designed, and constructed apartments (91%), senior living (54%), townhomes (51%), condominiums (39%), and student housing (33%).
REFRIGERATORS, CABINETS IN SHORT SUPPLY
![K+B difficult-to-source products](/sites/default/files/inline-images/K%2BB%20hard%20to%20source.png)
One respondent described the supply chain mess this way: “As developers are attempting to nail down pricing early in the Design Phase … combined with logistic nightmares, getting the design team ahead of the curve and in line with the general contractor and pricing exercises is crucial.”
Appliances came up more often than any other product category. “We’ve been purchasing them early and storing [them] in our own warehouses or changing our spec to purchase models that are in stock/available,” said one respondent.
“It’s been difficult getting appliance packages with the same manufacturer,” said another respondent. “We’re needing to mix manufacturers and appliances.”
Refrigerators were the main culprit cited by respondents. “We’re finding whatever spec is available,” said one. “Need to order well in advance and be flexible,” advised another.
Cabinets were also headache cited by several respondents. “Unfortunately, [we’re] playing the waiting game,” moaned a cabinetless respondent. Another firm said it was using pantry cabinets in bathrooms instead of medicine cabinets.
One pleaded, “[We’re] trying to get locally sourced cabinets, made in the USA.”
The last word on “solving” the K+B amenity shortage problem: “Order way in advance,” advised a respondent.
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING TEAMS 'INTEND TO USE' NEW PRODUCTS
Project teams showed interest in trying new K+B products, styles, or features in the future, even with the usual caution about "experimenting" with anything new.
![K+B intend to use new product](/sites/default/files/inline-images/K%2BB%20intend%20to%20use_0.png)
FIRST-TIME USERS TRIED A WIDE VARIETY OF K+B AMENITIES
Some brave souls had actually used one or more new K+B products, styles, or features for the first time:
![K+B products used first time](/sites/default/files/inline-images/K%2BB%20used%20first%20time.png)
CLICK HERE FOR FREE REPORT (SHORT REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jun 13, 2018
Multifamily visionaries: KTGY’s extraordinary expectations
KTGY Architecture + Planning keeps pushing the boundaries of multifamily housing design in the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: An AEC giant’s roadmap for integrating design, manufacturing, and construction
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), Skender CEO Mark Skender and Chief Design Officer Tim Swanson present the construction giant’s vision for creating a manufacturing-minded, vertically-integrated design-manufacturing-build business model.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: From micro schools to tiny houses: What’s driving the downsizing economy?
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), micro-buildings design expert Aeron Hodges, AIA, explores the key drivers of the micro-buildings movement, and how the trend is spreading into a wide variety of building typologies.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2018
Silicon Valley cities considering taxes aimed at large employers
The aim is to offset the impact on housing costs and homelessness by tech companies.
Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2018
Concentrated redevelopment: Apartment complex takes mixed use to the next level
An “intergenerational” mixed-use apartment complex may be a prototype for reenergizing neglected neighborhoods in America’s largest county.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
BD+C University Course | May 24, 2018
Building passively [AIA course]
17 tips from our experts on the best way to carry out passive house design and construction for your next multifamily project. This AIA CES course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2018
Yankee Dandies: Century-old New England mills become multifamily residences
Having long outlived their original uses, two century-old New England mills have become valuable community assets once again—as multifamily residences.
Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2018
Pampering the pups: Why dog-washing stations are a must-have in multifamily developments
Self-serve dog-washing stations are reinforcing strong bonds between multifamily residents and their beloved canines.
Mixed-Use | May 16, 2018
Los Angeles mixed-use building uses prefabricated wood frame to reduce costs
SPF:architects designed the building.