5 trends in home design you’ll be seeing this year
A whole new vocabulary is forming around home design, with terms like biophilia, assisted cooking and livability being bandied about by more remodeling pros. That was clear from the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, which took place in January.
More than 90,000 attendees caught the latest wares from more than 600 manufacturers. Here are five trends the pros say are here to stay.
1. Inexpensive materials that look anything but cheap
A recent rise in remodeling costs is driving interest to value-driven materials with high visual impact, including next-generation laminate countertops. The latest designs range from brushed metals to leathered veneers, cost as little as $2 per square foot and can be applied to countertops, cabinets, walk-in closets, fireplace surrounds and more.
Another example of the high-end look for less is porcelain floating floor systems that install twice as quickly as traditional tile, saving hundreds of dollars on labor for consumers. The new flooring continues the porcelain tile craze, just at a more affordable price point.
2. Voice control for everything and the kitchen sink
Remember when digital assistants like Alexa only lived in little speakers? Voice-controlled assistants are now being integrated into virtually every object in the home, including smart faucets that let you ask for a precise volume of water at a specific temperature — for example, 8 ounces of water at 98.6 degrees for the baby’s bottle.
In the bathroom, we’re seeing showerheads with built-in smart speakers, as well as smart toilets with voice-controlled operation of the toilet seat and builtin bidet.
3. Outdoor living inspired by the great indoors
A big trend for 2020 is using sophisticated design details to integrate outdoor living spaces with the home’s interior. KBIS featured many fetching outdoor storage units with faux wood grain powder coat finishes, maybe to match the mahogany floors just inside the home.
And there was a lot of buzz around “biophilia,” or the human affinity for nature. In the case of biophilic design, it’s all about enhancing the home’s connection to nature.
4. Artificial intelligence that’s for real
AI is quickly moving from the concept phase to ready for prime time. Many of the best applications facilitate home maintenance. For example, we saw AI-powered appliances that alert customers to potential problems with their appliances before they occur.
In addition, AI is making life easier in the kitchen. For example, manufacturers are putting smart cameras inside ovens and other appliances, where the “assisted cooking” technology can recommend recipes based on available ingredients, and then manage the cooking times and temperatures.
5. Aging-in-place gets a makeover
More older Americans plan to stay put in their current residence. But they don’t want their home to look like a hospital, hence the demand for “livable” products with plenty of style.
Our pros spotted some nice ADA-compliant farmhouse sinks, which play beautifully into the trend for farmhouse design while enabling tasks to be done from a seated position.