The National Kitchen & Bath Association Unveils Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2010
This week, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) revealed its key kitchen and bath design trends for the new year. Culled from a survey of designers that was conducted by the association, they indicate a continuation of a number of existing trends in the marketplace, but also suggest shifts in the direction that kitchen and bath design will take this year. Following are the NKBA’s seven kitchen trends and four bath trends for 2010.
KITCHENS
1. Traditional Is the New Contemporary
According to the survey results, traditional will continue as the most popular kitchen design style in 2010, with contemporary following closely behind. Where transitional kitchens fall in this survey is unclear, but that the Shaker style is mentioned as experiencing a strong resurgence suggests growing demand. As to color palette, last year saw an increased interest in neutral tones (perhaps because of the challenging economy). The same should also hold true in 2010. Expect shades of white, as well as off-whites, to be the most common kitchen colors, while brown, beige and bone hues will also enjoy wide usage.
2. Cherry on Top
Not surprisingly, cherry will remain the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple; alder cabinets will also gain ground. As for cabinet finishes, medium natural, dark natural, glazed and white painted will all be common. Other colors of painted cabinetry and light natural finishes are in decline, however, as are distressed finishes.
3. Floored by Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tiles, as well as those in natural stone, remain popular kitchen flooring options (probably for their durability and relative budget-friendliness), but nothing beats the warmth of hardwood, which will dominate the kitchen landscape more than ever in 2010. As to countertops, granite will maintain its lead, edging out quartz, which will nearly (but not quite) catch up in popularity. For backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile and glass will serve as the materials of choice.
4. Flexible Faucets
Standard kitchen faucets will become less standard in 2010, ceding ground to more convenient models. Pullout faucets continue to increase their market dominance, while pot fillers will also become more prevalent. To complement those white kitchens, the NKBA predicts that most faucets will be specified in brushed nickel, followed by stainless steel, satin nickel and—surprisingly—polished chrome.
5. Undercounter Refrigeration
Surveyed designers cited French door and freezer-bottom as the two most popular styles of refrigerators, while side-by-side units will retain their share of the market. Also noted was the increased use of undercounter refrigerator drawers, which are ideal for point-of-use convenience and for keeping a kitchen design open. In addition, the NKBA found that undercounter wine refrigerators were recently specified by half of kitchen designers.
6. A Range of Cooking Options
The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven is beginning to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking is coming on strong due to its energy efficiency.
7. Dishwasher-in-a-Drawer
Standard dishwashers, which feature a traditional door that pulls from the top down, will still be the most common type in 2010, but an increasing number of drawer-style units will be installed in kitchens this year for their convenience and their ability to wash small loads of dishes when needed, thereby saving water and electricity.
BATHROOMS
1. In with the Old, Out with the New
Although some may disagree, the NKBA predicts that traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, with contemporary designs a distant second. As with kitchens, neutrals are in. Beige and bone will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by white, off-white and brown, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.
2. Ceramic and Granite
Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring won’t become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.
3. Simple Fixtures
Maintaining the more subdued palette, the most common color for fixtures will be white, with bisque and off-white the only other options at all common in new or remodeled bathrooms. For sinks, simple undermounts will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-ins, vessel bowls and pedestal designs.
4. A Nickel for Every Finish
Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.
Kitchen and Bath Design Trends From Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine – kbb
How many of these elements are already in your own kitchen? How many would you like to incorporate in a new kitchen? Are you ready to start a kitchen project? Let us know what your favorite elements would be in your new kitchen and we can make it happen for you this year!
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1.Mar.2010 8:23 am 
