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K/BIS '06 Top Twenty Trends
By Kristen Mucci
April 28, 2006
With a turnout of more than 900 exhibitors, the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show was chock full of interesting product intros. The following is a list of trends gathered from the multiple displays:
1. Touch of Glass
Glass continues to excel in the bathroom. Adding a bit of shimmer to the decor, multiple color options abound for sinks from companies like Neo-Metro and for tiles like the latest from Bear Creek Glass. ShowHouse by Moen takes it further with its unique faucet with a glass waterway (1).
2. Fast Food
As our daily lives speed up, appliances are keeping pace. Combining microwave and convection heating, as well as new timesaving technologies, speed-cook ovens are everywhere, with options from GE, Thermador, Miele, Electrolux and TurboChef.
3. No Touching Please
Hands-free faucets, like those from Brizo and Toto are "smarter" and more efficient than ever. The Pascal culinary kitchen faucet with smart technology from Brizo can be activated by either tapping the faucet or using the hands-free option. It can differentiate between moving or static objects so items can be left in the sink. Toto’s latest sensor faucets boast an environmentally friendly, water-saving makeup. 
4. Custom Cooling
Modular refrigeration in varying sizes can now be integrated into the kitchen for maximum design flexibility. Thermador's Freedom Collection (2) offers built-in options ranging from 18 in. to 36 in., while Leibherr carries 24-in. and 30-in models. Both can be paired to form extra-large capacity versions.
5. Furniture Fetish
"I think that today’s bathroom is less about built-in cabinetry and more about what would be considered furniture," said Ann Sacks, founder and former president and design director of Ann Sacks Tile. Backing this idea up is Porcher's latest line, Tetsu, which means "peace" in Japanese. The line includes modular wall units and tub surrounds in exotic woods, as well as a seat with a cushion that flips over to become a surface.
6. Logical Induction
Induction cooktops, which transfer heat from a coil below the surface directly to the pan leaving the surface cool, have been quietly surfacing over the past few years, but are only now coming to the forefront of appliance product lines. Among the many new offerings this year are models from Viking, Thermador, Wind Crest and Electrolux. 
7. Wine and Dine
You don't need to leave home to visit a bar anymore, as wine refrigerators are becoming commonplace in kitchens. For easier access, larger models with pull-out racks can be found in the product lines of companies like Perlick and Marvel. KitchenAid's beverage center (3) accommodates red and white wine, as well as other beverages, with three varying temperature zones.
8. Solid as a Rock
Durability and design flexibility have made quartz surfacing a desirable product over the past few years. Joining companies like CaesarStone and DuPont Zodiaq are Hanwha and Samsung Staron, which recently added quartz, available in 14 colors, to its product line.
9. Shower Specifics
As bathrooms become increasingly geared toward the individual, personalized conveniences are a priority. This is evident through new releases like Kohler's DTV shower control interface, where users can program shower preferences like temperature and pressure and recall it again later. Also debuting is ShowHouse by Moen's ExactTemp Thermostatic valve, which allows a precise water temperature to be "dialed" on demand. 
10. Getting Smart
Cooking and cleaning are easier than ever with the latest appliances. With a touch of a button, cooking times and temperatures can be determined on Dacor's digital guide Discovery Controller and a dish can be washed in accordance to what was eaten on it in Miele's Excella dishwasher (4). Fisher & Paykel's IntuitiveEco washer takes the guesswork out of laundry by sensing what cleaning cycle should be used.
11. Suites Craving
"Consumers are looking for style and design," said Tim Kavanaugh, director of merchandising for LG Electronics, so it is no wonder a consistent look throughout the kitchen and bath is priority. Many manufacturers are meeting this demand with full suites of appliances and rounded out product lines like KitchenAid’s Architect Series II.
12. Bacteria Blast
With anti-bacterial hand lotion, Echinacea and Airborne so popular, it was only a matter of time before home products became more hygienic. This is exemplified by items like American Standard's Cadet 3 toilet with EverClean, a silver-based coat glaze that repels dirt, and Samsung Electronics' SilverCare technology that uses silver ions in its wash cycle to kill bacteria and sanitize clothing, all in cold water and without the use of bleach. 
13. Real Sinks Have Curves
Sinuous shapes and contoured bottoms offer stylish basin designs for the modern bath. Among the concept sinks at Elkay’s booth was the Estaria, which features a shape that plays with water, directing it downward to create a vortex around the drain. VitrA’s new sink, from its Istanbul collection, features an organic form that seemingly floats on air (5).
14. French Door Flexibility
External water and ice dispensers are now possible in the increasingly popular category of French Door refrigeration. LG Electronics and Maytag have relocated the icemaker to accommodate the consumer demand for this added convenience on three-door refrigeration models.
15. Modern Momentum
Faucets and fixtures are taking on a more modern feel, with clean lines and minimalist looks. VitrA’s latest, the Istanbul collection reflects this. The line, designed by industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, combines organic forms with sophisticated technology.
16 Metal Mania
From the fashion runways to the trade show floor, metallics are popping up everywhere.  Silestone in Senora Gold is new this year to the company’s River Series, while Sonoma Forge’s Metalica series (6) consists of hammered copper tiles. Metal is even making its way onto appliances, as Jenn-Air is introducing its oiled bronze finish.
17. Updated Retro
It seems that industry folks are still looking to the past for inspiration, but the present is influencing the outcome. Warm tones and neutral colors are being incorporated into the once bolder retro offerings. For instance, Aga's latest vintage-style stove, now available in brown, and La Cornue's new provence blue are both easier on the eyes.
18. Beautiful Inside and Out
Interior storage continues to evolve with expanded product lines and more attention to detail. Companies like Grass America and Hafele who, ironically, both added a champagne color to their respective lines this year, are paying more attention to not only function, but style as well. 
19. European Influences
Kitchen cabinet lines are taking on a sleeker, more minimalist look. Collections from St. Charles and KraftMaid are following suit to many Italian exhibitors, with linear designs in varying patterns and color.
20. Alternative Style
Stainless steel, though it's still remains a popular product choice, is not the only popular kid on the block anymore. New options for appliances include glass, from companies like Dacor and Gaggenau, and metallic accents like Jenn-Air's oiled bronze. Bosch's Titanium all-white range minimizes the stainless steel, using it just for accents (7).
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Drawn from independent research, The Market Forecaster Report identifies the industry's most important trends.
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