Health & Fitness
Top 10 Kitchen and Bath Design Trends for 2013
Gray color schemes and transitional styles are among the top trends identified by more than 300 kitchen and bath design experts.
Gray color schemes for both kitchens and baths have grown dramatically in popularity, according to a recent National Kitchen and Bath Association Top 10 Trends Report. Used currently in 55% of kitchens and 56% of bathrooms, gray conveys a sense of chic sophistication. White, off-white, beige, and bone also remain very popular, and sepia tones are on the rise.
Transitional-style kitchens and baths — defined as a 'seamless blend of traditional and contemporary' — have surpassed traditional styles, which reigned until 2012. Quartz finishes are another clear trendsetter for 2013, according to NKBA survey respondents, consisting of about 300 member designers in the U.S. and Canada. Though quartz saw a slight popularity decline in 2012, it is now a close second to perennial favorite granite.
Additional top trends for kitchens include white-painted cabinetry, glass backsplashes, LED lighting, touch-activated faucets and satin-nickel finishes. Bathroom trends include an increased use of ceramic and porcelain tiles and undermount sinks.
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Here's a recap of the top 10 kitchen and bath design trends for 2013
1. Shades of GrayIn kitchens, shades of gray have noticeably jumped in use over the past three years. There was a significant increase from 9% of kitchens in 2010 to a remarkable 55% in the final three months of 2012. Similar to kitchens, grays in bathroom remodels have risen from 12% to 56% since 2010.
2. Rise of Quartz
Quartz was the second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens and baths last year. This year, it has significantly narrowed the gap with granite, increasing from 69% to 80% in kitchens and from 53% to 65% in bathrooms.
3. Trending Transitional Styles
In 2012, the popularity of transitional style — a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary — exceeded that of its traditional counterpart, which had been the clear topper in 2010 and 2011. In the latest survey, transition expanded its lead in the kitchen, with usage growing from 59% to 69%, Likewise, transitional styles in the bathroom are still positioned #1, currently used by 61% of NKBA-member designers.
4. White Painted Cabinetry
Among painted cabinetry, white has stayed on top of the chart since last year. Given its remarkable, upward climb over the past three years, it’s clearly no fad. The popularity of white-painted cabinetry jumped from 47% to 59% in 2012 and further increased to 67% this year.
5. Glass Splashes
The preference for glass splashes has grown dramatically over the past three years: from 42% in 2010 to 64% this year. At the same time, while natural stone tile showed consistent growth during 2011 and 2012, usage dropped from 60% to 55%.
6. LED Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting is widely used by member designers in both the United States and Canada. As consumer awareness of energy efficiency has risen, it comes as no surprise that light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting is being specified by a higher percentage of designers, increasing from 70% to 77% over the past year.
7. Touch-Activated Faucets
Growing in popularity are touch-activated faucets, specified by 32% of member designers, versus only 20% of designers in 2011 and 2012. Pull-out faucets are still in the top position, as they have been since 2010, with usage rising from 88% in 2010 to 94% this year.
8. Satin Nickel on the Rise
When it comes to faucet finishes in kitchens, satin nickel has been on the top since 2011, its usage increasing from 42% in 2010 to 60% this year. Bronze or oil-rubbed bronze finishes are also being specified more often, growing from 41% to 50% in the past year. The increased popularity of these three finishes most likely comes at the expense of polished nickel and polished chrome.
9. Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Ceramic or porcelain tile flooring has been in slight decline over the past two years, but it remains the most popular of all materials, specified by 83% of the survey participants this year — down from 93% in 2011. Natural stone tiles have also declined since 2011 dropping from 77% to 59% in 2012, and to 57% this year.
10. Under Mount Sinks
Under mount sinks are in slight decline this year, dropping from 94% in 2012 to 87%. But here again, they remain the most specified type of bath sink — not just in the latest poll, but over the past 3 years. Integrated sink/tops have seen a modest growth in popularity.
Robert Frank is a local resident and owner of Robert Frank Design, a full-service interior design firm specializing in kitchen design, bath design and closet design. With offices in Pasadena and Palm Springs, California, Robert Frank Design works in collaboration with our clients to create beautiful, functional spaces that reflect their lifestyles and personalities. Visit us on the web at www.robertfrankdesign.com.
