Congratulations! You’ve just won the jackpot without traveling a mile. In January I attended the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show * in Las Vegas—the largest and most exciting show of its kind. This month you’re the winner because I’m sharing the latest 2016 kitchen trends, products, and technologies gleaned from over 500 exhibitors from all over the world.

TRENDS

Palettes:  a lot of greys and whites-into-greys.

Finishes:  gun metal, titanium and rose gold.

Styles:  several, depending on geographic location. The biggest style trends were Contemporary with its clean lines, and Vintage Industrial. Both are looks that adapt easily into our island homes. Traditional is still well represented in the Midwest and on the East Coast, with Mid-Century Modern and Craftsman popular on the West Coast.

PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Kitchen Lighting: Great lighting immediately upgrades your kitchen. I saw a variety of smaller, brighter and more efficient fixtures. Some discreetly tuck under or within overhead cabinets while pendants and sconces delivered the punch of a design statement.

Washing machines: With a small drawer for different capacities, which allow you to wash small loads more often.

Refrigerators:  Shallow “beverage doors” mounted under the main refrigerator door help conserve energy by allowing access to drinks without opening the entire refrigerator. Under-counter refrigerators with pull-out drawers won Best of Show for kitchens. Under-counter freezers were also prominent.

Induction Warmers:  An induction warmer won the People's Choice Award for kitchens for its discreet profile and ability to make use of out-of-the-way spaces.

Plumbing:  Kitchen faucets have taken on the commercial kitchen "look" following the commercial appliance look, seen in previous years.

Outdoor Appliances:  Trusted manufacturers in the commercial world are introducing their products for outdoor use in residential barbecues, pizza ovens, and beverage (of all kinds) bars requiring ice makers, wine cabinets, water and beer dispensers and heavy duty waste disposals.

Workspace:  Is there ever enough? A real space saver is a convertible island that provides plenty of workspace in its closed position. Open, it slides out to become a dining counter, revealing a sink and cooktop. Other countertops are available with lifts for adjustable convenience.

In addition to granites and solid surfaces for countertops, there were products of sealed quartz chips, and large slabs of thin porcelain. A quartz in warm grey tones was especially handsome:

To visually clean up the work counter, angled electrical power strips with slanted tops eliminate the puzzle of how to smoothly integrate power into backsplashes.

Storage:  Manufacturers are finally producing ready-made storage solutions which were once only available custom-built. I know because I saw shelving, cabinetry and ingenious storage solutions such as this bookshelf over a door, that I have designed and given to a general contractor to fabricate in the past:

Pull-out pantries make small spaces highly functional. Incorporating a few of these ready-mades with custom work is a smart way to stretch your renovation dollar.

Cabinetry Finishes:  Whatever the style of your kitchen, there are more choices available than ever before!

Acrylics integrated within the fascia of cabinetry can add a splash of color wherever you wish. Reclaimed, weathered wood and brush laminates were popular.

The Green Scene:  As a LEED^TM  Accredited Professional, I was interested in the antimicrobial properties of some solid surface materials, touchless kitchen faucets, water filtration systems and air purification systems—all of which can make your kitchen as healthy as it is beautiful.

Take Home Jackpot from the Show:  Today's "It Kitchen" is really the one that is right for you. With more options than ever to choose from, your dream kitchen is within reach. Renovating an existing kitchen or building a new heartbeat-of-your-home kitchen is not an everyday project. Choosing a design professional with a wealth of kitchen design experience is the best way to achieve a beautiful and functional kitchen that will win your heart over!

* The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS®), in conjunction with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA®) is an inspiring, interactive platform for showcasing all the latest within the industry. KBIS® is the voice of the kitchen and bath industry and has been for more than 50 years.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the KBIS®. With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.