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 | Feb 22, 2018
Multifamily building with 25,000 sf of amenities rises on the shore of the Potomac River
The building is part of the National Gateway mixed-use development at Potomac yard.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 15, 2018
United States ranks fourth for renter growth
Renters are on the rise in 21 of the 30 countries examined in RentCafé’s recent study.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 31, 2018
4 ways multifamily developers can attract Baby Boomer, Millennial buyers
As Baby Boomers downsize and Millennials begin buying homes, multifamily developments in dynamic urban areas are meeting the demand.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 25, 2018
Virginia Beach: A surf town with a wave problem no more
A world-class surf park will highlight Virginia Beach’s new live-work-play development.
Market Data | Jan 25, 2018
Renters are the majority in 42 U.S. cities
Over the past 10 years, the number of renters has increased by 23 million.
Resiliency | Jan 24, 2018
A luxury community in Florida mandates resilience in new-home construction
Alys Beach’s in-house GC builds to standards set by the FORTIFIED program.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 24, 2018
Apartment rent rates jump 2.5% in 2017, led by small and mid-sized markets
The average price for one-bedroom units increased the most.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 17, 2018
The Concours at Carlisle: A condo community for gearheads
The new development will represent the only auto condo community in Central Pennsylvania.
Mixed-Use | Jan 16, 2018
Mixed-use development under construction in Detroit’s central business district
The development is being built on the former site of the Statler Hotel.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 10, 2018
Multifamily 2018 outlook: Developers tap the brakes, but will maintain historic pace
Multifamily developers are poised to register the second-highest annual completions count of this cycle in 2018, but with fewer completions than 2017’s cycle peak, according to a CBRE report.