1. Larger Kitchen
Larger kitchens were seen as a near-term trend since people weren’t going out to eat as much because of the pandemic. They needed to accommodate the family resulting in larger pantries and increased storage spaces.
2. Multi~purpose Layout
People wanted kitchen layouts that accommodated working from home and schoolwork due to continuing effects of the virus. In particular, L-shaped kitchens with large islands and large eat in area that can serve multiple purposes.
3. Outdoor Space
Because of the pandemic, outdoor kitchens gained in popularity. 40% of respondents created brand new outdoor living spaces with kitchens leading the charge.
4. Changes in Style
Traditional kitchens, a top-three style for years, fell to the tenth most popular while the organic/natural style moved up from ninth place to third. Contemporary and transitional placed first and second for both kitchens and bathrooms.
5. Shades of White, Blue and Black
Whites and off-whites were still expected to dominate, as mentioned by 47% of respondents, and beige/bones and blues were each cited by at least 25%. For countertops, backsplashes and and bathroom vanities, lighter colors were expected to be more popular, with quartz a hot material because of its ease to clean. Black cabinetry was also a hot trend.
7. Bathroom Oasis Focusing on a Larger Showers
The most popular layout trend for primary bathrooms was the removal of bathtubs to allow for larger showers (as cited by 60% of respondents). Top bathroom innovations include the addition of bidets and/or smart toilets, along with smart temperature controls for floors and showers. Popular universal bathroom features included hand-held shower heads and rain showerheads.
8. Minimalism
The saying “less is more” held true. Clean, natural, uncluttered looks were becoming desirable with an emphasis on being aesthetically pleasing, sustainable and functional.
