(Even If You’re a K&B Pro.)
By Nicholas Tamarin
October is National Kitchen & Bath Month—and what better way to celebrate than by expanding your design perspective beyond the kitchen and bath? This fall, NKBA | KBIS will take center stage at High Point Market, the world’s largest furnishings trade show, held October 25–27 in High Point, North Carolina.
While High Point has long been known as the epicenter of furniture and décor, the lines between categories are blurring fast. For designers who specialize in kitchens and baths, the Market is no longer a “nice-to-visit” destination—it’s an essential stop for inspiration, networking, and growth. Here’s why.
1. Whole-Home Inspiration Is Everywhere
Today’s clients want cohesive, connected homes—and that means every room, from the mudroom to the pantry, deserves design attention. High Point Market delivers an immersive experience across furnishings, surfaces, textiles, lighting, and more.
For kitchen and bath professionals, it’s a rare opportunity to explore how materials, finishes, and furniture trends intersect with their own design disciplines. Whether it’s luxury storage solutions, tactile finishes, or layered lighting, inspiration extends far beyond the kitchen.
2. NKBA | KBIS Is Bringing the Kitchen Center Stage
This fall, NKBA will elevate the kitchen and bath conversation like never before. At Broad Hall (300 West Broad Avenue, Floor 1), NKBA | KBIS will host a dynamic three-day series of panels, presentations, and networking events featuring leading editors, renowned designers, and premier NKBA member brands.
Topics span everything from color forecasting and technology integration to entrepreneurial growth and lighting design—all designed to connect kitchen and bath pros with the broader design community.
3. Luxury Brands Are Redefining What’s Possible
High Point is a showcase for craftsmanship, innovation, and performance-driven design. Luxury brands that typically headline the kitchen and bath space—like Miele, Lutron, and Sherwin-Williams—will be on hand to demonstrate how technology and aesthetics converge in new, transformative ways.
The result? A firsthand look at what’s next for high-end living, from smart appliances and lighting control to sustainable materials and design-led engineering.
4. It’s Where Designers Meet Their People
High Point Market is a community experience. Between curated showroom tours, after-hours events, and networking receptions, it’s the ultimate environment to connect with peers and brands that are shaping the future of design.
This season, NKBA will host several opportunities to mix and mingle—including the official Ribbon Cutting & Reception on Saturday, October 25, in partnership with Cosentino, Codarus, and the High Point Market Authority. It’s a celebration of the growing presence of kitchen and bath within the broader design world—and a must-attend for anyone passionate about innovation.
5. Fuel Your Creative Fire for 2026 Projects
Every year, High Point reveals the ideas and influences that will shape next year’s projects. From bold new color palettes to refined material pairings and emerging technologies, Market offers a preview of what clients will be asking for in 2026 and beyond.
Attending the sessions and trend panels gives kitchen and bath professionals a head start—arming them with insights, data, and inspiration to stay ahead of the curve.
Pro Takeaway
High Point Market isn’t just for furniture designers—it’s a hub of whole-home inspiration that every kitchen and bath professional should experience. By exploring new categories, connecting with design leaders, and engaging with luxury brands, you’ll return with actionable ideas that expand your creative vision and business impact.
This October, make Market part of your professional toolkit—and see how NKBA is shaping the future of design from the heart of High Point.
NKBA Showroom – Broad Hall, Floor 1
300 West Broad Ave. | Shuttle Stop: 27 (Red Line)
October 25–27, 2025
