The future of bath trends was on the agenda at an informative program with industry experts who introduced new designs, products, and other highlights from NKBA’s annual Bath Trends Report.
By Nicholas Tamarin
The NKBA dove into the future of bath design headfirst during its annual Bath Trends Summit sponsored by Bed Bath & Beyond Professional on Thursday, November 21. This exclusive virtual first look at the NKBA’s 2025 Bath Trends Report–which explores the key design and product shifts we can expect in the upcoming year–was accompanied by inspiring presentations, dynamic designer panels, and interviews with industry leaders. And, as a bonus, attendees received a free download of the full report post-event (non-members who don’t attend the Summit will pay $2,995–NKBA members have access to all NKBA reports for free).
Four interactive installments featured 12 expert speakers and panelists over more than two hours including must-see sessions on the “Top 20 Bath Trends for 2025” with NKBA’s longtime Head of Research Tricia Zach, and “Smart Solutions for Tomorrow’s Bathrooms: Integrating Technology for Wellness & Design,” hosted by Heather Shannon, SVP, Strategic Growth, NKBA, who led a panel discussion with three bath designers discussing the latest innovations in smart home tech and how they are shaping the future of bath design.
NKBA Director of Marketing Crystal Watts kicked off her hosting duties by thanking sponsor, Bed Bath & Beyond Professional. “I want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our sponsor, Bed Bath & Beyond Professional, whose support has made this summit possible–their commitment to driving innovation in the home and bath sectors continues to make a significant impact, and we’re grateful for their partnership,” Watts said, before launching into the first in a series of poll questions that were peppered throughout the day’s events and which culminated with announcement of three winning respondents at the end. Dorothy Harter, CMKBD; Josh Bowman; and Sunita Ritesh, all won Bed Bath & Beyond Professional’s Superior Napa Zero Twist Cotton Soft Waffle Bath Sheet Set and a NKBA | KBIS package featuring local products from its national headquarters in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Ritesh was also the lucky recipient of a $500 gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond.
Zach, who has a deep knowledge of industry trends and consumer behavior, then introduced NKBA’s 2025 Bath Trends Report, which is based on the professional opinions of 500 designers, specifiers, showrooms, dealers, manufacturers, remodelers, and architects. “What sets bath trends research apart from many other studies conducted on this topic is the caliber of its respondents,” Zach said. “The designers participating in this year’s study have an average of 18 years experience. Collectively, they have completed more than 3,000 bath projects in the past year.”
Zach concluded by sharing the exciting launch of NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Pro Hub along with a sneak peak. “NKBA has built an online research community for the kitchen and back industry,” Zach said. This community is a place where industry pros can interact with each other and the NKBA research team contribute their professional opinions, review research results and insights, offer suggestions for future research topics for their kitchen and bath designs being showcased, and even earn points which can be redeemed for gift cards. It will also encourage you to download the mobile app that will allow us to notify you when we have launched a new survey or when we release research results we feel will help you better run your business or advance your career. Keep an eye out for an invite to the Kitchen and Bath Pro Hub early next year and sign up. You’ll want to be a part of this new adventure.”
Next up was Shannon’s “Smart Solutions for Tomorrow’s Bathrooms: Integrating Technology for Wellness & Design, which explored the latest innovations in smart home tech and how they are shaping the future of bathroom design, with panel featuring Greg Barrett, Director of Product Management: Professional Lighting, Savant; Josh Christian, CEO, Home Technology Association (HTA); and Elma Y. Gardner, CMKBD, Owner of By Design Studio, Inc.
That was followed by “Designing for the Future: Innovations in Residential Spaces for Every Generation”, also moderated by Zach, featuring Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CEO, Timeless Kitchen Design LLC; Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD, Owner & Principal Designer, McCabe by Design LLC; and Ebony Stephenson, Owner & Principal Designer, Designs by Ebony, LLC, discussing exploring forward-thinking solutions in bathroom design to create functional, adaptable, and future-proof homes.
Kelly Bauchsbaum, NKBA’s Senior Manager of Chapter Relations, rounded out the summit with her session on designing beautiful baths for clients and contests, “Insights from Award-winning Bath Designers and Competition Judges”, featuring Gina D’Amore Bauerle, Owner/Interior Designer, D’Amore Interiors; Cailin M. Thelen, CMKBD, Designer & Owner, Thelen Designs, LLC.
Watts concluded by reminding everyone that “on December 17, we will be hosting our Kitchen Trends Summit, which will take you through the findings of the 2025 kitchen research report. Also, KBIS is just around the corner. If you have not yet registered, we’d love for you to join us in Las Vegas February 25-27.”
