4 Top Trends Seen at IBS/KBIS 2023
It was a record-breaking International Builders’ Show (IBS): 2023 marked the highest attendance1 in over 10 years with 70,000 attendees, plus the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show’s (KBIS) 40,000.2 Not only were there tons of attendees, there also was more to explore. This year’s show was held in the Las Vegas Convention Center and had a whopping 1 million square feet3 of exhibit space filled with booths showcasing their latest and greatest.
If you didn’t get a chance to walk the entire show, here’s a recap of the top trends that may just predict what your customers are looking for this year and beyond:
Colorful Choices and Finishes
Color is back – bright pops of color could be seen around the show floor from booths away. Companies such as Kohler even had consumers vote on which of their favorite pastel hues should make a comeback. Others simply offered a wide range of colorful options for their products. Which colors popped up the most? Nature-inspired dark green hues, warm neutrals, and pink were commonalities from booth to booth.
More and more 2023 Colors of the Year are being chosen, and many mirror what we saw at the show. Sherwin-Williams, for example, chose a shade with pink undertones4 to add subtle interest to walls. For an even brighter pop of color, KitchenAid® revealed its 2023 Color of the Year to be Hibiscus,5 a bold and fun fuchsia hue. Other appliances that can add the pop of color homeowners are looking for include the KitchenAid® 30" Smart Commercial-Style Gas Range with 4 Burners, which comes in a wide variety of shades from bright Yellow Pepper to softer Misty Blue.
Environmentally Conscious Designs
While sustainability has been top-of-mind for businesses and homeowners alike, there was an increase this year at the show in design that meets that demand. Whether it’s smart electric panels, apps that track a home’s energy usage or even highlighting the use of recycled or more sustainable materials to reduce waste, exhibitors focused on promoting these efforts.
This isn’t just coming out of nowhere – homeowners are prioritizing the planet more and more when it comes to their purchasing decisions. In fact, over 90%6 of homeowners surveyed invested in eco-friendly improvements to their homes. That’s where purposeful innovation comes in, like the Whirlpool® 4.5 Cu. Ft. Ventless All-in-One Washer Dryer. This appliance combines a washer and dryer into one, resulting in a space-saving and efficient laundry machine that doesn’t skimp on capacity. Plus, it’s ENERGY STAR® Certified to help conserve natural resources and save money on utility bills.
Biophilic Design
In last year’s IBS/KBIS coverage, biophilic design was a trend that had just begun to take off. This year, it was present in almost every booth – some using it as a backdrop, others relying on greens to bring some color into the space. With homeowners looking to reconnect with nature,7 they’re looking for ways to bring natural color palettes and textures into the home, and IBS/KBIS exhibitors showed up. For example, a tile collection with nature-inspired colors took home a Best of KBIS Silver award.
Biophilic design has really captured the interest of homeowners, with search terms like “Biophilic architecture” up 150%8 and “Biophilic design bedroom” up 100%.9 With this design style on the rise, here are a few ways to bring biophilic design into the home:
- Lots of natural light and outdoor views10
- Nature-inspired color palettes11
- Space for plants12
- Natural finishes and features like wood, leather, and stone13
Health & Wellness
Health and wellness was a prominent theme during IBS/KBIS 2022, and it made just as much of a statement during this year’s show, with a focus on both mental and physical wellness. For example, Brizo Kitchen & Bath Company debuted a steam shower system that provides a spa-like experience to soothe the body and mind, while Legrand partnered with Microban to add antimicrobial protection to Legrand’s Adorne Collection of designer switches and outlets.
In the Whirlpool Corporation booth, visitors could find appliances touting healthy cooking modes, such as the Whirlpool® 1.9 Cu. Ft. Microwave with Air Fry Mode for crispy results, Grill Mode to sear meat and vegetables, and Steam Cooking to steam rice, vegetables and fish right in the microwave.
To learn more about our presence at the show and the appliances displayed in-booth, visit our post-show landing page here.
For additional details about our appliance offerings, contact a sales rep today. Keep up with other trends and news in your industry by visiting The Trade Channel page.
1 https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2023/02/2023-builders-show-draws-largest-attendance-in-more-than-10-years
2 https://www.kbbonline.com/news/awards-events/design-construction-week-2023-attracts-record-breaking-attendance/
3 https://www.kbbonline.com/news/awards-events/design-construction-week-2023-attracts-record-breaking-attendance/
4 https://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/paint/color-of-the-year-2023/
5 https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/say-hi-to-hibiscus-kitchenaid-brand-unveils-color-of-the-year-2023/
6 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-angi-earth-day-surveys-show-homeowners--pros-are-going-green-301524494.html
7 https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/biophilic-design-movement
8 https://business.pinterest.com/en-us/pinterest-predicts/2022/biophilic-design/
9 https://business.pinterest.com/en-us/pinterest-predicts/2022/biophilic-design/
10 https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/expert-advice/biophilic-design/
11 https://www.upnest.com/1/post/nature-inspired-home-colors/
12 https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/biophilic-design-movement
13 https://www.bhg.com/decorating/lessons/expert-advice/biophilic-design/
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PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE
KitchenAid®
KitchenAid® 30'' Smart Commercial-Style Gas Range with 4 Burners
Whirlpool®
4.5 Cu. Ft. Ventless All In One Washer Dryer
Whirlpool®
1.9 Cu. Ft. Microwave with Air Fry Mode