I just got back from Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas, and I discovered some unexpected and exciting trends!
Outdoor is the new indoor. Loved this crazy huge, super industrial Caliber outdoor kitchen. Wowza! I also enjoyed KBIS’ new Outdoor building and construction area, where you could tour prefab houses and there was even a 3D-printed building!
Mixed metals and materials are going beyond mixing cabinetry hardware and faucets, but taken to a new level by mixing metals directly on the faucets themselves. Love this trend—lots of possibilities here.
Customization is on the rise. We really love the customizable flush plates and toilet tanks from Geberit. p.s. did you catch our live takeover of the new @Geberit_US Instagram account? If not, check out what we spotted.
There are new ways to use old spaces. Glideware has figured out what to do with that pesky, unusable corner cabinet space with their new Not-So-Lazy Susan. And Wellborn cabinet company has integrated technology for helping make space more accessible to everyone. More from them in our upcoming “Best of KBIS” video.
Tech is still trending, but this time it’s less gimmicky and more functional, for example this 8,000 BTU Frigidaire Gallery® Cool Connect™ Room Air Conditioner that you can operate from an app on your phone. You can also create a schedule with the app. We’re also hearing a lot of rumblings from many appliance manufacturers that more exciting stuff is in the pipeline. We’ll keep you posted!
Sayonara, plain old stainless steel! Lots of color options from paint colors to granite and black stainless steel finishes are popping up more a more. Above, are some KitchenAid Black Stainless appliances installed in one of the on-site homes. I even spotted a glittery gold Bluestar oven in one of the booths!
Texture is huge. And it’s not just tile, but we’re seeing more natural stone textures, like the Antolini stone (pictured above) to textured details on these new Brizo Litze faucets:

Clockwise from top left: Tiles by Walker Zanger, Surface by Hi-Macs, Tile by Pera Tile, Tile by Ann Sacks
There’s wood where there used to be metal. Also at Brizo, these faucets with teak handles caught our eye, as did these wooden drawer and cabinet pulls by Manzoni:
Move over PANTONE Color of the Year, I’m sensing a new color trend here…
What do you think? Are these trends here to stay? Would you incorporate any of them into your kitchen or bath?
This post is part of a partnership with Geberit. Our partners are hand picked by the Design Milk team because they represent the best in design.

10 Comments
Susan Serra on 01.22.2016 at 11:13 AM
Great roundup! I didn’t go this year but studied closely (for hours and hours) over 2 days all the images posted on 3 hashtags on Instagram including yours! That’s what I usually do at KBIS – take a ton of pictures then go back and connect the dots. In addition to what you saw, right on target,I was surprised to see a higher level of design than there has typically been at KBIS. Very impressive. Definitely, modern, but a livable modern. I saw lighter floors, yes, lots of texture in wood grain and elsewhere, freeform modern geometric and organic design in fixtures, tile, hardware, mix of traditional/modern in the same (small or large booth) displays which has not been so typical for KBIS, warm metals continuing but with new warm finishes, bigger, smart/functional sinks, matte finishes and overall, an air of confidence. Maybe, the New American Modern? KBIS really seemed to pick it up a few notches this year!
Jaime Derringer (post author) on 01.22.2016 at 11:48 AM
Yes – it was a great show!
Deborah on 01.25.2016 at 21:59 PM
I always enjoy seeing your new discoveries at Trade Shows. I loved this roundup of products, form the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and also enjoyed you’re live takeover of the IG account of the new @Geberit_US. Everything from plumbing fixtures to outdoor kitchens with sustainable and well living intentions were addressed by many of the vendors represented this year.
Jaime Derringer (post author) on 01.25.2016 at 22:14 PM
Thanks! I really appreciate it. This year was a great show.
sherry qualls on 01.29.2016 at 09:37 AM
Thanks for your amazing and speedy coverage of KBIS. Much appreciated. Loved the highlights! Especially the @glideware Not so lazy Susan. Very cool!
Meryl Weprin on 05.26.2016 at 14:39 PM
KBIS is so cool. You showcased some great new products. Thanks for sharing. I love the unique textures.
Jay Tauber on 06.09.2016 at 23:45 PM
Looking forward to seeing more wood and natural stone trends in 2016. Thanks for the KBIS roundup!
Alex James on 08.24.2016 at 18:24 PM
I look many black color
Julie on 09.15.2017 at 11:59 AM
Really enjoyed the article thanks, I have just come across it. These trends are still hot in 2017 by and large.
Julie on 10.20.2017 at 10:46 AM
Thanks for a great article. 2016 is carrying through into 2017 and the bit about the outdoors being the new indoors certainly holds true today. Lots of good information here.
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