The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently released the results of its 2022 Design Trends Forecast whose goal is to identify styles, features and materials that are expected to be popular in the next several years and to identify products that are likely to have the most significant impact on kitchens and bathrooms.
The survey results mirror preferences among homeowners the Upper Valley who want their new dream kitchens to offer flexible, multifunctional workspaces. Kitchens the Upper Valley are now used as home offices, classrooms, studies and dining rooms and for other purposes. Homeowners the Upper Valley are attracted to large islands that can be used to prepare meals, function as dining tables and to do homework or double as an in-home office. Pantries will continue to be in high demand because of their ability to provide desired storage and working areas for small appliances.
Kitchen sinks also have been transformed to serve multiple functions beyond washing and rinsing dishes. Workstation sinks feature built-in drying racks, colanders and cutting boards that provide another previously unused area to prepare meals.
Health, safety, wellness and cleanliness are top of mind for almost all homeowners the Upper Valley. Antimicrobial, easy-to-clean surfaces will continue to increase in demand along with outdoor living spaces that connect the kitchen and home to mother nature. This bodes well for quartz surfaces along with larger format tiles and slabs that require less grout and therefore are easier to maintain and keep clean. Touchless faucets, voice activated LED lighting and recycling storage are other high-demand products that will continue to trend into the near future along with more mobile-friendly spaces, healthy cooking and app-controlled appliances.
Trends for the bathroom include high-performing large showers. We often recommend the use of linear drains for showers because they do not require a curb and can eliminate the need for a shower enclosure. Environmentally efficiency is also on the top of homeowners’ the Upper Valley wish lists. Sustainable design, LED lighting, low-E windows and doors, energy-star efficient appliances, EPA WaterSense plumbing fixtures, VOC-free paint, radiant flooring and materials with recycled content also are expected to grow in popularity especially now because environmental efficient does not have to come at the expense of performance.
The bathroom will become smarter with connected products that allow homeowners the Upper Valley to preset water temperature and connect to digital assistants for entertainment and communication. Curbless showers, universal design concepts, grab bars, hand-held showerheads and shower seats will also trend forward as more homeowners (in name of service territory) elect to age in place in their existing homes.
If you need additional suggestions to create a trend-forward kitchen or bath of your dreams, please call us at 603-448-9700 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 105 Hanover Street, Lebanon, NH.
