Latest NKBA I KBIS Sustainability Report Finds Health and Cost-Saving Benefits Hold Strong Appeal for Homeowners
Designers place high value on sustainability in kitchen and bath projects and they expect demand to grow among their clients, according to the findings of the 2026 NKBA I KBIS Sustainability Report. Cost and client buy-in continue to be the leading barriers to greater consumer investment in sustainable design elements.
Based on an online survey of K&B professionals, including designers, project managers, showroom professionals and remodelers from across the country, the NKBA I KBIS Sustainability Report provides insights into how the industry views sustainability today and where it is headed in the coming years.
Here are some of the key findings:
Designers are All in as Demand Grows
A large majority of surveyed K&B professionals say they highly value sustainability, both personally (75%) and professionally (68%). Many (70%) believe that demand for sustainable design is going to increase in the coming years, a slight decrease (-5%) from last year’s survey.
Health and Savings are Appealing to Consumers
Conversations with homeowners centered around the health benefits and potential cost savings of sustainable design are much more effective than focusing on positive environmental impact. More than half (53%) of the surveyed K&B professionals say that emphasizing the health and well-being of homeowners’ families is most likely to persuade them to embrace sustainable design.
Conversations Start with Designers
While designers are almost four times more likely (51%) to raise the topic of sustainability than their clients (13%), a third of K&B professionals say they don’t initiate these discussions, either. Just over one-third (35%) of designers believe they influence their clients’ decisions to adopt sustainable design practices, up from 31% last year’s survey.
Barriers to Integration are Falling
K&B pros say that key barriers to adopting sustainable design are declining, paving the way for broader adoption. Compared to last year’s survey findings, historical obstacles like limited information around sustainable options, less attractive sustainable design solutions and lack of available options are becoming less important.
“Sustainable design is steadily becoming essential in the minds of homeowners,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA I KBIS. “Kitchen and bath industry professionals who aren’t already fluent in sustainability need to get there quickly so they can be ready to meet their clients’ expectations.”
To learn more about sustainable design, download the full 2026 NKBA I KBIS Sustainability Report here.
