Kitchen and Bath Design News recently released their 2023 year-end review of current trends, which reviews which home design trends are dominating homes. Anne Murray, head of marketing at NewHomeSource and The BDX, was one of several leading industry experts consulted for the review. Murray summarized key trends surrounding kitchen and bathroom design, the source of the trends, and how they will affect homebuilders in 2024 and beyond.
Key Trends for Kitchen and Bath Design:
Kitchen & Bath Design News discussed the following trends in its 2023 year-end review:
- Social Trends
- Space Planning Trends
- Technology Trends
- Government Trends
Here’s what Murray and the others had to say:
As the American population ages, it will have a major impact on how people use their homes. The key 2023 trends for kitchen and bathrooms in light of changing ages of the overall population relate to how to design a forever home for homeowners with changing needs for their spaces.
A desire for aging in place bathrooms have exploded as people look for ways to remain in homes they love, even as they reach retirement and beyond. Features like handheld showerheads, ADA-compliant bathroom vanities, and curbless showers have become increasingly desirable.
Multigenerational living is continuing to increase in popularity. Living spaces that have accessible spaces for older family members are obviously desirable for an aging family, but families still want comfortable spaces for grandchildren and adult children, too.
Space Planning Trends
In the kitchen, homeowners are hoping to design a functional and lovely space in the heart of the home. Butler’s pantries have been a huge change in how people are hoping to use kitchens. This gives homeowners a space where they can do prep work and grab snacks, while still getting to shut it away from the rest of the home.
Pet-friendly spaces continue to be a major desire for home shoppers as well. Providing home shoppers spaces where they can wash and kennel four-legged family members is a huge advantage for builders.
Technology Trends
Smart-home technology has transformed the desires for luxury home shoppers. Combined with the aging nature of home shoppers, people are recognizing that integrating a home with the power of technology can help people stay in homes they love.
Independence is the ultimate luxury, and homebuilders are trying to integrate beautiful luxury projects with smart-home features. Combining low-maintenance and green features with smart-home tech allow older homeowners to maintain their independence in a home that can protect them from the changes in a world impacted by climate change.
Government Trends
Obviously, government laws, regulations, and codes have a major impact on what home designers can do with kitchen and bathroom design.
Most of the 2023 government related trends relate to environmental codes. All levels of government have rules and regulations that impact how you can design a home. As governments push to encourage sustainability and green building practices, new home builders are incorporating appliances that use less energy, water saving designs, and more into kitchens and bathrooms.
As home shoppers look for livable homes that can adapt to their changing lifestyle needs, homebuilders that can provide those desires will shine in 2024 and beyond.
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.