Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2018 - 26

Fiser: It is going to be all about designing for liv-

Industry Outlook

ability and having kitchens and bathrooms that
support every family member at every stage of life.
Our bodies are directly impacted by our exposure to natural light, so circadian
lighting is growing in popularity. Designers need to create spaces that direct
people back to the natural elements to survive and thrive.

What about bath trends in 2018?
Miller: We are seeing a lot of modern features in the bathroom as well. Radiant

heat floor tiles are almost a standard, and homeowners want multiple showerheads that are water saving with more features. Larger shower areas with
the more expensive frameless glass enclosures - once restricted to higherend projects - are now being seen more often in moderately priced homes.

Dietz: Absolutely; millennials are getting older,

which will grow demand for single-family construction. A lot of the baby boomers will retire to
warmer markets and have the need to age in place.

Fiser: Generational differences are influencing

what types of design are being put into kitchens and baths. Demographics are shifting, and as
people get older, they have new demands for more
accessible and livable spaces.

Miller: The interesting thing is that this kind of

design is not as noticeable anymore. Manufacturers have come up with more accessible hardware
and accessories that blend in with current designs
so that while, yes, it continues to factor into trends,
it is both more commonplace and less noticeable.

Where will sustainable design and design for
well-being stand?
Fiser: Sustainability is going through an evolution,

and there is a heavy focus on well-being through
healthier products and materials. It used to be
about products and solutions for climate change
and decreased emissions, and we are now seeing
the importance of the health and wellness of the
people living in their houses on a day-to-day basis.
This is a natural extension of the conversation.
There are now healthy building standards, as well
as the recognition that you can have design solutions that positively impact children with autism
or adults with Alzheimer's.

Darcy: We will see transitional-style bathrooms with both built-in and

furniture-style vanities, wood cabinet faces, quartz countertops and porcelain
tile floors. White will remain the top choice for tubs, toilets and sinks; white,
off-white and gray will be the most popular bathroom color schemes. Popular
faucet finishes will be brushed and satin nickel and polished chrome. Homeowners will want master bathrooms that exude function and luxury, while
guest baths will be purely functional with timeless looks because they are less
frequently used by homeowners.

Dietz: For the master bath, consumers want a shower, tub, linen closet, double

vanities and ceramic tile on the walls.

Will aging-in-place and multigenerational design play a factor in these
trends?
Darcy: As of July 2015, 48 million Americans were 65 years or older, and by

2060 the number will more than double.This equates to 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day for the next 19 years. For the 85 percent of those
boomers who have no plans to sell their homes, these concepts translate into
continuous demands for wider doorways and hallways, electronic controls
you can reach from a wheelchair and lever handles. It is and will be important
for our industry to have skilled professionals who can translate these needs
into design and accommodate homeowners.

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Miller: What was green remodeling is now just

typical remodeling; it is more about the quality
of life inside the home. People are starting to pay
more attention to air quality; they are using things
like energy recovery ventilators to keep the air
fresh. Windows have improved to keep sun out
during the summer and let it in in the winter.
Good remodelers need to stay aware of what
is happening in the market.

"Sustainability is going through an
evolution, and there is a heavy focus
on well-being through healthier
products and materials."
Randy Fiser

Kitchen & Bath Business / JANUARY 2018 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)

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Kitchen & Bath Business - January 2018

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