Top Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2023 and Beyond Revealed
The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has released its 2023 Design Trends research. The annual report provides insight into the styles, colors, product features, materials, and technology that will dominate kitchen and bath design over the next two to three years.
In Kitchens
Homeowners are looking to open the look and feel of the kitchen while adding elements that hide clutter, maximize island function, and extend the space outdoors. According to the report, the top designs include:
large islands that function as dining tables (76%),
taking down walls so the kitchen is open to other areas of the home (74%),
a working pantry (72%),
easy to clean flooring (70%),
outdoor living areas (60%), and
sanitary counter surfaces (60%).
Walk-in, built-in, and butler's pantries are emerging as the top pantry types. People are hoping to not only store food but also to have a dedicated working area for small appliances and to store pots, pans, and serving dishes.
Sustainability is also important to many homeowners. 100% LED lighting, separate storage for recycling, and increased light via low-E windows and doors are the top three green features.
Style leaders are:
transitional (70%),
contemporary (59%),
modern (55%),
organic/natural (51%), and
farmhouse (47%).
Top-of-the-mind colors for kitchens are greens, blues, whites, wood tones, and grays. Whites will be a popular neutral with nature-inspired greens and blues for warmth.
Due to the earthy, muted, and moody tones, designers will utilize bold colors for:
backsplashes (55%),
artwork (45%),
accent furniture (41%), paint (41%),
wallpaper (40%), and
fabric accents (40%).
The most prominent tech features include:
steam cooking/air frying tech integrated into ovens (73%),
dedicated areas for mobile devices, laptop charging, or viewing (73%),
mobile app to control appliances (51%), and
motion sensor faucets (50%)
For finishes, quartz and quartzite are the top countertop selections, influenced by easy care and desire for a sanitary surface; granite is third. Slab and long subway are the most popular backsplash patterns, due to the reduced amount of grout lines to maintain. Hardwood, engineered wood, luxury vinyl plank/tile, and ceramic tile remain the top kitchen flooring materials.
Lastly, single-bowl kitchen sinks in stainless or composite are preferred over apron/farm and double bowl options. Dishwasher drawers and secondary dishwashers will become more prominent in the coming years, French door refrigerators remain supreme, and venting hoods will be a focal point with both wood and stainless steel as popular choices for materials.
In Bathrooms
Owners are creating a spa atmosphere that they can enjoy as they age in place. The top emerging trends are:
removing bathtubs to increase shower size (77%),
removing walls to increase the primary bathroom footprint (63%), and
connecting to the closet/dressing area (58%).
Sustainability trends extend to the bathroom with 100% LED lighting, electric radiant flooring, and EPA Water Sense faucets/shower heads/toilets as top features.
Somewhat like kitchens, top bathroom styles include:
transitional (69%),
contemporary (59%),
organic/natural (59%), and
modern (57%).
Top-of-mind colors include blues, greens, whites, grays, and neutrals. Designers will utilize bold colors on vertical surfaces, vanities, and artwork to create contrast.
For bathroom technology, homeowners are excited about:
heated floor tech (69%),
thermostat smart control for flooring/shower (67%), and
humidity/venting detector that adjusts based on activity (55%).
In finishes, light-colored quartz and quartzite are the top countertop selections. Ceramic and porcelain tile with underfloor heating will be popular for flooring. Large format tiles and slabs will also be prevalent, due to fewer grout lines and maintenance.
Large two-person showers with open entrances rank number one for shower options. For bathtubs, free-standing and soaking tubs will be most prominent in primary bathrooms.
Key Takeaways
Homeowners prefer kitchens with an open look and feel that have features to hide clutter.
Large, multi-function islands for food prep, dining, work, and device charging are gaining in popularity.
Primary bathrooms with a spa-like atmosphere will be in greater demand.
