Trendspotting at KBIS 2014

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is the premier event to see the best and latest in trends, products, and innovations for the kitchen and bath industry. From the return of copper to integrated technology and professionally inspired appliances, the industry’s leading manufacturers will showcase these trends and many others Feb. 4-6, 2014, at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Center as part of the launch of Design & Construction Week with the International Builders’ Show (IBS). This new co-location allows more than 70,000 members of our industry to experience all that the kitchen, bathroom, and building products industries have to offer, with more than 1,500 exhibitors within 600,000 square feet of shared exhibit space.
Here’s a snapshot of what is trending for KBIS 2014:

Naturally Inspired

From the blonde variations of Maple and Oak to the ebonized color of Walnut, a celebration of the natural beauty and texture of wood is apparent at this year’s show.

The new +EDITION collection from Poggenpohl features natural walnut wood veneer cabinetry, available in flat panel or thin frame detail door styles. This clean and modern collection brings brightness in a naturally inspired fashion. Elias Woodwork is unveiling its new Designer Series – Aventura creating a high-end custom look and visual effect that stands out. These unique doors can be custom made with your choice of color, species, edge profile, and panel profile.

Metallic Shine

A host of new product introductions featuring copper and other metallic finishes are taking the kitchen and bath scene by storm. From complete copper sinks from Native Trails, to shined and quilted metallic accents from Top Knobs, the glimmer of metallics is creating an accent to accompany any style of décor and wood coloring.

Remote Access & Integration

Advancing technology coupled with consumer demand for remote access and control of their home and the products within it continue to fuel the kitchen and bath market. Examples include the 3iE by Warmup Inc. – a user-friendly thermostat with an intuitive menu, simple words, and easy-to-navigate functions. The 3iE can be set in several languages and learns from the user’s programming changes and temperature selections.

Professional Grade Comes Home

Appliance brands are looking to bring the experience of a commercial kitchen into the home with professional grade appliances designed for everyday living. Combining the best of commercial kitchen technology, adapted for residential use, Viking Range will showcase its Viking Professional 7 Series range. Key features make the Viking Professional 7 Series ranges the most exciting Viking introduction to date, and this new introduction brings the peak of professional to home cooks everywhere.

On the Surface

From bright colors to technologically advanced synthetic surface materials, KBIS 2014 will be the only place to see the latest in surfacing material trends and products for the home. Show attendees will see revolutionary changes within kitchen and bath surfaces with the introduction of bold colors and innovative new materials.

KBIS exhibitor, Formica Corporation — the inventor of high pressure laminate and the first to pioneer large-scale laminate design — will debut its line of exotic granite patterns featuring dramatic colors and corresponding names like Red Dragon, Lapidus Brown, and Magma Black.

Family-owned quartz, natural stone, and architectural surface producer Cosentino, will launch Dekton by Cosentino — an innovative, ultra-compact surface capable of seamless use both indoors and outdoors. It utilizes Particle Sintering Technology, a proprietary technique that mimics the metamorphic change that rocks and stones undergo in nature when subjected to heat and pressure over thousands of years.

And Neolith, makers of sintered compact surfaces, will launch its new Classtone collection that combines the classicism and the elegance of marble with Neolith’s revolutionary technology NDD (Neolith Digital Design) to provide a better option for kitchen countertops.

The Height of Innovation

In addition to viewing the latest in kitchen and bath trends, products and more, attendees will experience a variety of innovative display concepts. Many exhibitors have called on celebrity chefs and influential members of the A&D community to immerse attendees in the experience of their new products. Eco-design and lifestyle expert Danny Seo designed two kitchen vignettes that will be featured by KBIS exhibitor WilsonArt.

Top Knobs will feature high tech iPad touch displays, giving show attendees the opportunity to explore and interact with the brand’s new offerings on a deeper level. Returning KBIS exhibitor Electrolux will feature several fully-functioning kitchen stations providing attendees with a hands-on experience.

Members of the Modenus BlogTour Las Vegas will evaluate and judge the close-to-50 exhibitors who have registered their booths for the KBIS Innovation Booth Awards based on education, engagement, messaging, WOW factor, and the unprecedented and unexpected. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5th at 11:00 a.m. on the NKBA Center Stage.