Top Trends from IBS/KBIS 2022: Part Two
Biophilic design, sustainability and efficiency, and health and wellness were all key trends shared in part one of our IBS/KBIS 2022 recap. However, those certainly weren’t the only prominent themes we identified on the show floor.
Check out three additional industry trends from IBS/KBIS that we expect to influence what home buyers are looking for in 2022 and beyond:
Connectivity
Smart home solutions took center stage at the show, with brands featuring their latest innovations in technology. For example, there was a whole-home water system that can detect leaks and prevent pipes from freezing, all managed through an app, and even a smart shower that responds to verbal commands via voice assistant. There were also numerous education sessions on the topic, including sessions on smart home design, smart trends in the multifamily market, and more.
It’s no surprise that connectivity played a dominant role at the show, as the demand for it only continues to grow. Approximately 7 in 101 homebuyers are looking for a smart home, and 78%2 are willing to pay more for a home with smart devices. Plus, over a third3 of upgraded appliances in home renovations include high-tech features, up six percentage points from the previous year.
Buyers don’t want smart tech just for the sake of having it – they want purposeful technology that will help improve life at home. Being able to preheat the oven while they’re on their way home from work, or start drying a load of laundry from their smartphone are features that can help streamline everyday chores. To get dinner going and monitor cooking progress, the Yummly® app sends cooking instructions to select Whirlpool® connected smart ovens and even pairs with the Yummly® Smart Bluetooth Meat Thermometer, allowing them to manage dinner remotely.
Entertaining at Home
The dinner party4 is expected to make a comeback in 2022. The number of Americans planning to host in their home increased by 25%5, with nearly 46%6 feeling very excited to entertain guests in their homes and 44%7 planning to host a dinner party. With so many consumers ready to welcome friends and family back into their homes, they need the perfect space to be able to do so.
That’s why we showcased some of our entertainer-approved appliance innovations at the show in our aptly-named Weekend Entertainer Kitchen, like the KitchenAid® 30'' Smart Commercial-Style Gas Range with 4 Burners that can be controlled from a smartphone and the KitchenAid® 44 dBA Dishwasher in PrintShield™ Finish with FreeFlex™ Third Rack that has lots of space for extra dirty dishes.
And, we weren’t the only ones seeing this trend. There were a myriad of exhibitors showcasing products centered around entertaining, such as mobile beverage solutions, outdoor fire pits, and even decorative screen panels used to create a private outdoor space for gatherings with friends and family.
To create a kitchen that’s perfect for hosting, an open floor plan5 with bar seating at the island allows the host to still interact with guests while serving up the next course. And, it’s not just the bar seating they’re interested in: Searches for home bars were up 277%7 and wine cellars were up 271%8 in the last year. With the home bartending trend seeing a resurgence, a beverage center, like the KitchenAid® 24" Beverage Center with Glass Door and Wood-Front Racks, is becoming a must-have for buyers.
More Storage/Organization
While we can’t say the need for more storage or organization is a brand-new trend, it certainly is becoming even more top-of-mind for today’s buyers. This was evidenced at the show through innovative storage designs, like the Best of IBS™ Award-winning shelving that opens to reveal hidden closet space.
According to the Green Builder 2022 Cognition SMART Data Report, enhanced storage is one of the top remodeling trends for 2022. About 25%12 of kitchen renovations in 2021 also included more cabinets to increase storage space. And, one of the most-desired organizational features is a walk-in pantry, with 81%13 of buyers considering this a top priority when looking for a new home.
Appliances that maximize every inch of space can also help your buyers stay organized in the kitchen. The Whirlpool® 24-inch Wide Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator - 12.7 cu. ft., for example, is the perfect small space solution with an adjustable hide-away shelf, Drink Loft™ overhead storage and flexible storage shelves. For a larger space, the KitchenAid® 42" Width Built-In Stainless French Door Refrigerator with Platinum Interior Design has 24.2 cu. ft. of capacity to store groceries with a highly functional layout to keep everything organized.
If you missed us at the show, you can explore our booth virtually and see our latest appliance innovations 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.security.org/smart-home/consumer-shopping-insights/
2 https://www.security.org/smart-home/consumer-shopping-insights/
3 https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2022-u-s-houzz-kitchen-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~156707827
4 https://www.bhg.com/recipes/trends/food-trends-2022/
5 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dinner-parties-projected-to-be-on-the-rise-in-a-post-pandemic-world-301283016.html
7 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dinner-parties-projected-to-be-on-the-rise-in-a-post-pandemic-world-301283016.html
8 https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/layout/open-kitchen-layouts/?slide=slide_06cce45b-8fbb-4ac1-bb03-08f36d0e52cd#slide_06cce45b-8fbb-4ac1-bb03-08f36d0e52cd
9 https://www.kbbonline.com/news/trends-inspirations/houzz-emerging-home-design-trends-report/
10 https://www.kbbonline.com/news/trends-inspirations/houzz-emerging-home-design-trends-report/
11 https://st.hzcdn.com/static/econ/2022_Houzz_US_Kitchen_Trends_Study.pdf
12 https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/shopping/home/603217/home-features-todays-buyers-want-most
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PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE
KitchenAid®
44 dBA Dishwasher in PrintShield™ Finish with FreeFlex™ Third Rack
KitchenAid®
KitchenAid® 30'' Smart Commercial-Style Gas Range with 4 Burners
KitchenAid®
24" Beverage Center with Glass Door and Wood-Front Racks
Whirlpool®
24-inch Wide Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator - 12.9 cu. ft.
Whirlpool®
5.2 - 5.3 cu. ft. Top Load Washer with 2 in 1 Removable Agitator.