Apr 22 2010
In a recent survey of 822 National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) members, energy-efficient products highlighted by LED lighting were identified as the most cost-efficient trend for kitchen and bath remodeling in 2010. Following energy efficiency, alternative countertops and products supporting Shaker style designs topped the survey. This trend toward value-friendly kitchen and bath design was reinforced at the NKBA’s annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held April 16-18.
The economy continues to encourage homeowners to not only enhance the appearance and functionality of their homes, but to consider products and designs that are affordable and deliver long-term value. With more than 30 percent of designers suggesting energy-efficient products, such as ENERGY STAR® appliances and LED lighting, it was the most popular design trend found in the open-ended survey.
“Energy-efficient products and LED lighting have come a long way, and there are now styles to meet every design and budget,” said NKBA President Mark Karas, CMKBD. “In addition to the recent survey results, we’ve found that professional design services and project management deliver the best results to consumers. NKBA members provide clients with well-designed projects that enhance the value of their home and save money by assisting with industry product knowledge, problem-solving experience and contractor recommendations.”
NKBA offers product ideas, such as countertop options that include quartz, natural stone and laminate through its members and Web site at NKBA.org. In today’s economy, consumers are applying cost-effective problem solving for kitchen remodels, which includes simple and timeless designs.
Additional trends include installation of water conservation products such as low flow kitchen and bathroom fixtures and on-demand tankless water heaters. The NKBA survey also identified products that facilitate recycling and sustainability as popular options. Homeowners are finding new uses for items previously considered waste, such as re-installing old granite from a kitchen remodel to spruce up the bathroom vanity.
At the 2010 KBIS exposition, NKBA manufacturer members and exhibitors featured several new products meeting these trends. Specific kitchen and bath design that will add long-term value displayed at KBIS 2010 include:
- Fisher & Paykel 36” Side by Side Energy Star® Refrigerator The energy-efficient DCS by Fisher & Paykel refrigerator is ENERGY STAR® approved and uses 20 percent less energy than required by current federal standards.
- Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. new Aliante LED Demi-Sconce The new Aliante LED Demi-Sconce uses a fraction of the wattage of traditional light sources and has a much longer lifetime. What was traditionally done with a 42-watt fluorescent light can now be achieved with a 12-watt LED.
- Wellborn Bristol Oak Shaker Style Cabinet Doors This full-overlay door style features wide stiles and rails, a simple slab drawer front and a solid wood reversed flat center panel. Bristol’s styling allows for a brilliant display of natural colors and textures, and is available in cherry, maple and oak.
- GE Geospring™ Hybrid Water Heater The product is designed to use up to 62 percent less energy than a standard electric water heater and can cut residential water heater energy costs in half.
- TOTO USA Aquia Wall-Hung Toilet Designed to reflect the timeless, delicate curves of nature, this product has TOTO patented nano-technology SanaGloss glazing to prevent build-up of grime.
Source: http://www.nkba.org/