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 | Jan 9, 2018
New 58-unit luxury apartment building under construction in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood
The 8-story building will feature two- and three-bedroom residences.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 5, 2018
Let’s discuss the Energy Star Multifamily High-Rise Program
The demand for rental housing has been on a steady climb since 2004.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 4, 2018
Shigeru Ban’s mass timber tower in Vancouver gets city approval
The 232-foot-tall Terrace House luxury condo development will be the tallest hybrid wood structure in North America.
Mixed-Use | Jan 3, 2018
A Houston luxury apartment complex has its own co-working space
The new community is located in the economic and population center of Houston.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 12, 2017
Call for technical experts: Dog wash station design
The editors of Multifamily Design + Construction magazine need your expertise.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 7, 2017
Planned Denver apartment community is for those 55 years and older
KTGY Architecture + Planning designed the new Avenida Lakewood just six miles from downtown Denver.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 29, 2017
First Porsche, now Aston Martin: Sports car maker co-develops Miami condo tower *UPDATED
The 391-unit Aston Martin Residences will feature seven penthouses and a duplex penthouse, all with private pools and terraces overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Industry Research | Nov 28, 2017
2018 outlook: Economists point to slowdown, AEC professionals say ‘no way’
Multifamily housing and senior living developments head the list of the hottest sectors heading into 2018, according a survey of 356 AEC professionals.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 28, 2017
Elementary school, daycare campus will serve Toronto’s skyrise neighborhood
The $65 million Canoe Landing Campus brings much needed social infrastructure to the 20,000 residents of Toronto’s CityPlace towers.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 15, 2017
6 noteworthy multifamily developments: artists housing, tech lofts, resort-style senior living
These recently completed projects represent emerging trends and design innovations in the multifamily sector.