Inside the Biggest Kitchen and Bath Home Show

Have you ever wondered how new products come to market? For several years I’ve had the opportunity to attend the biggest home show in the world at Design and Construction week. This combines the International Home Builder Show (IBS), the Kitchen and Bath Show (KBIS) and several smaller shows. This year in addition to sharing my favorites like home color trends, I decided to give you a glimpse into the role the kitchen and bath home show plays in bringing new products to market.

This year’s mega show was held in Orlando, Florida with more than 2,100 exhibits and 80,000 home professionals attending. There are products currently available, new products and some still under development. Manufacturers use the show to get feedback from interior designers, builders and remodelers during product design and development. Products roll out following one/more of these steps:

• New products and materials are developed for the commercial market. Many of the products migrate to the residential market over time, like today’s floor to ceiling glass walls.
• Industry trade shows like this one is where manufacturers introduce products for the residential market to architects, interior designers, builders and other contractors.
• New products are then picked up by design show rooms, those that cater to interior designers and builder show rooms that provide home buyers with choices in everything from roofing, siding and doors to all the fixtures that go into kitchens and bathrooms.

2017 Kitchen and Bath Home Show, Day #1

So let’s head into this year’s home show, held at the Orlando Convention Center’s South Hall.

Able to confirm that there are many more drawers than cabinets with shelves in today’s kitchens.

More choices in cabinet finishes, both traditional wood and composite materials. Learn about composite materials for cabinets, from the National Kitchen and Bath Association).

More bathroom storage with cabinets sitting on top of vanities or alongside the vanity.

More open shelving in the kitchen and creative shelving inside cabinets.

Lots more LED light strips accenting cabinets for the kitchen, bathroom and living areas.

Larger kitchen sinks with accessories to make food prep easier.

Amazing choice of peel and stick wall treatments.

More Canadian manufacturers like White Square Furniture with a more contemporary look.

More bathroom spa ideas with fireplaces (steam instead of flames) and round bathtubs.

New hardware designs from those that look old fashion, to very modern ones.

Amazing accessories to keep everything in your kitchen organized (full article on this topic coming).

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