Design & Construction Week: 13 Products to See at KBIS 2018
With Design & Construction Week (DCW) right around the corner, it’s time to make a show game plan. These 13 kitchen and bath products will get you started.
Now in its fifth year, DCW is a one-stop shop for both the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and the International Builders' Show (IBS), hosted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association and the National Association of Home Builders, respectively. This year the shows are being held January 9-11 in Orlando, Fla., and are expected to see more than 80,000 design and construction professionals. The event is a great opportunity for networking, exhibits, and continuing education.
Still, the event’s main attraction is the abundance of new and innovative products that will be introduced there. On the KBIS side, expect to see revolutionary countertops, fancy faucets, water-saving innovations, smart home systems, and much more. KBIS 2018 will host more than 600 industry-leading brands across the show’s two halls, including more than 100 new companies.
What exactly can you expect to see at this year’s show? Here are 13 kitchen and bath products that are making their KBIS debut. Be sure to put these manufacturers on your agenda. To see our IBS must-sees, check out the other half of this series here.
2. Belwith-Keeler, KBIS Booth S5042
In honor of the company’s 125th anniversary, Vale, a 60-year-old hardware design from the Belwith Products living library, will be re-released as one of the show’s featured collections. The modern design features a concave shape with subtle curves. See several other examples from the archives, as well as seven brand-new hardware collections, at their KBIS booth.
3. Kraus, KBIS Booth Booth S4431, S5458
The new Dex series prioritizes easy drainage with the company’s DrainAssure technology, creating a seamless waterway to the drain. It also comes with one of three different styles of drain covers. Dex is available in four models of single and double bowls and has T304Plus antibacterial stainless steel.
4. Nasoni, KBIS S5256
The multi-patented Fontanina bathroom faucet combines the functionalities of both a faucet and a water fountain. The design allows homeowners to drink or wash with an upwardly-arced spray of water. The solid-brass unit features subtle curves and lever handles and is available in three finishes. It is available in either widespread or center-set configurations.
5. Samsung, KBIS Booth W770
Addressing the market demand for smart products, Samsung will display its new Chef Collection of built-in appliances at KBIS. The line consists of sleek wall ovens, ranges, cooktops, hoods, refrigerators, and dishwashers that are Wi-Fi- or Bluetooth-enabled. Pieces are available in stainless steel or matte black stainless steel.
6. Verona, KBIS Booth S4650
This 36-inch all-electric range includes a five-burner cooktop and a multi-function oven with a digital clock and timer. The vitro ceramic surface contains high-power radiant burners while the convection oven provides seven cooking modes, including three baking modes, three radiant modes, and a defrost mode. It comes in four colors, including a new true white.
7. Top Knobs, KBIS Booth W1355
KBIS will be the debut of the minimalistic shapes of the new Lynwood collection, inspired by mid-century modern neighborhoods across the U.S. The expansive collection includes 306 pieces of knobs, pulls, cup pulls, and backplates within seven different series. Each piece will be available in six finishes, including aged grey, flat black, brushed satin nickel, honey bronze, polished chrome, and polished nickel.
8. True, KBIS Booth W1157
True’s 30-inch freezer column will be making its KBIS debut. The flexible unit offers 15.1 cubic feet of space and can be customized with a stainless steel, gloss black, matte black, or antique white front and four contemporary hardware finishes. It also features a 120-degree stay-open door and ergonomically designed handle.
9. Belanger, KBIS Booth S3285
Belanger by Keeney has introduced the Symphony 3-in-1 versatile shower head that can switch between hand-held shower, rainfall (shown), and waterfall functionality. Users can change between rainfall and waterfall by inserting the hand shower into the coordinating space. The unit turns a two-way valve into a four-way valve, and can work in both new installations and retrofits.
10. Hardware Resources, KBIS Booth W1355
Similar to the popular No Wiggle Base Cabinet for kitchens, the No Wiggle Vanity Pullout is designed for bath organization. The modular, customizable design features a grooming organizer and acrylic tray options and a soft-close function. It is made from UV-coated white birch wood.
11. LG, KBIS Booth W228
Two things to watch out for at the LG booth are the black stainless steel Smart Instaview Refrigerator and the TWINWash with LG Sidekick. With two knocks, the refrigerator door can turn transparent, revealing its contents. It also features Wi-Fi capabilities and a camera that allows homeowners to view contents via smartphone. The TWINWash front-load washer paired with the Sidekick pedestal washer allows homeowners to wash two loads simultaneously or independently. TWINWash is Wi-Fi enabled and can cut wash time by up to 30 minutes. The Sidekick can be added to any LG front load washer made in 2009 or later.
12. BlueStar, KBIS Booth W628
BlueStar’s newest product line will bring commercial-style electric appliances to the home, the company says. With a 5,500-watt burner and a Power Boost feature that can bring 1 quart of water to a rolling boil in less than two minutes, BlueStar claims the collection’s induction cooktop offers the most powerful single burner in the industry. The powerful wall oven comes with a built-in baking stone, and the freezer shelf and the refrigerator’s fully extending bottom shelf are designed to fit a full-size commercial sheet pan. All of the collections products, including a matching range hood, can be customized in more than 750 colors and finishes and 10 metal trim options. BlueStar products will be on view at the Hittich America booth.
13. Hettich America, KBIS Booth W628
The company will display an industry-first system that raises up the dishwasher’s bottom shelf and locks it at the height of the top shelf for easy unloading. This ergonomic, universal design element was created by ComfortSwing by Hettich. Also new from Hettich is the WingLine L folding sliding door system (pictured). The door can be unfolded with one push or pull, and works with or without a handle. The system keeps doors out of the way of other drawers and cabinets, and supports door heights of up to 95 inches and widths of up to 24 inches.