Bathroom Bonanza
Bathrooms were the most popular renovation targets in 2021 according to KBB, a national kitchen and bath industry group. Johnson is seeing her business reflect that, especially when it comes to adding comfort and convenience in the bathroom.
Today’s bathrooms have spa-like features that appeal to every age. “We’re installing heated floors inside the shower, heated towel bars, lots of freestanding tubs, steam showers, curb-less shower entries and bidet toilet seats. It’s all about personal hygiene, relaxing and meditation,” said Johnson.
Kitchen Resurrection
“With the pandemic, we also awoke a foodie culture,” says Freudenthal. “As we see more interest in cooking at home, actually in doing all sorts of stuff at home, families are forced to take a hard look at their kitchen and many are seeing a need to make improvements.
“The local newspaper ran a story about auxiliary or butler kitchens about a year ago,” Freudenthal said. “That’s been born out of our business. In our design pipeline we’re seeing projects that have that second kitchen or a scullery. Many want a secondary oven, another water source and the like.”
Warm and Inviting
All of our experts noted that cold, white and sterile is out. “Neutrals are here to stay,” says de Jong. “Although we’re leaning to warmer colors, they’re still light to keep things bright and open up the space.”
Johnson agrees that colors are back, and while she still sells about 60 percent white kitchen cabinetry, “they’ll add in a contrasting island in wood or paint.” She notes that blue is a hot kitchen color today, ranging from deep navy to soft baby blues.
