Kitchen and bath leaders to host designer panels and brand activations in new Broad Hall design hub

BETHLEHEM, Pa., September 18, 2025 –The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS), the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry, and Cosentino Group, global leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, announce the full lineup of panels and programming for their Broad Hall debut at High Point Fall Market. 

NKBA | KBIS and Cosentino have made significant investments in High Point Market, both announcing long-term presences at Broad Hall. In addition to displaying the latest products and innovations, the two organizations will host special events and panels throughout the weekend aimed at bringing the design community together around kitchen and bath, while providing inspiration for the whole home. 

“We’re thrilled to bring leading designers and brands together in this new space and spark meaningful conversations about the future of our industry,” said Bill Darcy, NKBA | KBIS Global President and CEO. “We’re especially grateful to our partners, whose continued support and advocacy help drive NKBA forward as we work toward our shared mission of educating, inspiring, and strengthening the home and design community.”

“Cosentino is looking forward to deepening our connections with the design community through thoughtful programming that encourages collaboration,” said Patty Dominguez, Vice President of Business Development for Cosentino Americas. “Our goal is to create a space not just to showcase our innovative design possibilities, but also to exchange ideas and celebrate the creativity that is the driving force behind the industry.”

Programming will be hosted in a custom-built outdoor space extending from Broad Hall (owned by Codarus, a collaborative partner in this venture), featuring Dekton by Cosentino flooring, Feeney railing, an Azenco Pergola, and an Urban Bonfire Outdoor Kitchen. Outside of official events, guests are invited to move indoors to visit brands including Kichler Lighting, James Martin Vanities, Ferguson Home, Sherwin-Williams, Fabuwood, BlueStar, Signature Hardware, Miele, FreePower, Lutron and Blanco. 

Each day offers an opportunity to engage with leading kitchen and bath manufacturers and hear from trendsetting designers and design experts. The full schedule includes:

Location: Broad Hall Outdoor Plaza

300 W Broad Ave, High Point, NC 27262

Saturday, October 25

Sunday, October 26

Monday, October 27

Tuesday, October 28 – Wednesday, October 29

For more details, visit NKBA.org/hpmkt-fall-2025 and cosentino.com/landings-usa/highpoint/.

To download a PDF of this release, click here.

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About NKBA | KBIS

NKBA | KBIS is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS). With 55,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has informed, educated and supported the industry since the association was founded in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through community, professional certification and learning, and events. For more information, go to NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522). KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

About Cosentino

Cosentino is a global family-owned company that produces and distributes innovative and sustainable surfaces for architecture and design. As a leading company, Cosentino imagines and anticipates, together with its customers and partners, design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’s lives. This goal is made possible by pioneering brands that are leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa by Cosentino®. These innovative surfaces allow the creation of unique environments and design for the home and public spaces.

Cosentino currently distributes its products in more than 120 countries, from its headquarters in Almeria (Spain), and it’s present with its own assets in 32 of them. The multinational has nine factories (eight in Almería, Spain and one in Brazil), one intelligent logistic platform in Spain, and more of 160 commercial and business units throughout the world. More than 90 percent of Cosentino Group’s financial turnover comes from international markets.  www.cosentino.com

The kitchen footprint continues to grow, further influencing the overall design of the whole home and fostering connection between social spaces

Bethlehem, PA – (September 18, 2025) — The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS), the world’s leading trade association for the $230 billion kitchen and bath industry representing nearly 55,000 North American kitchen and bath industry professionals, has released its 2026 Kitchen Trends Report. Comprised of data generated from a survey completed by industry experts including designers, manufacturers, remodelers, architects, and more, the report provides a comprehensive look into current and upcoming trends in residential kitchens that will have the biggest impact in 2026.

According to the report, over the next three years the kitchen will continue to evolve toward a more intelligent, personalized and health-conscious space that supports modern lifestyles – replacing dining tables with custom storage, swapping intricate designs for minimal details, and increasing the kitchen IQ for intuitive upgrades. The report also reveals that the majority of kitchen trends are in the growth phase of adoption, presenting an opportunity for designers to pursue. These include smart technology integration, open layouts, hybrid products, generational customizations and wellness focused spaces. 

While the overall size of U.S. homes declines, 76% of respondents expect the kitchen footprint to increase over the next three years. As the kitchen expands, it further influences the whole home design. “The integration between the kitchen and whole home is a really exciting opportunity for the kitchen and bath industry,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “The 2026 Trends Report further confirms this evolution, as homeowners desire connection and cohesive design between spaces for entertainment, functionality and wellness. This report helps provide an inside look at what the market demands so that designers can be empowered to offer clients beautiful spaces tailored to their individual needs.”

The full report is available at NKBA.org with free access for NKBA members. Key findings include:

Colors & Materials: What’s In, What’s Out

• Neutrals Remain Supreme: An impressive 96% of respondents identified neutrals as the most popular colors, with greens (86%) and blues (78%) close behind. On the contrary, splashy colors like millennial pink (11%), bright orange (7%), bright red (6%) ranked among the lowest. 
• Where Color Lands: According to the report, new statement colors will be incorporated in the backsplash (60%), wallpaper (60%), island (57%) and decorative accessories (55%).
• Timeless Design: Transitional/timeless kitchen design tops the list, with 72% of respondents naming it as a popular style in the next three years. The style is followed by contemporary/modern/minimalism (60%) and organic/natural (58%) designs.
• Minimalism over Maximalism: While maximalism has had a spotlight, 60% of respondents identify minimalism as a popular style in the next three years. Additionally, respondents identify features like a flat, slab cabinet door style (69%), panel-faced refrigeration (72%) and dishwashers (85%), and slab/solid surface backsplashes (75%) as gaining popularity. 
• Natural Materials: With organic, neutral colors reigning supreme, natural materials also take the lead in the kitchen. Wood grain surpasses painted cabinets, with 59% of respondents identifying it as growing in popularity, and white oak was found to be the most popular wood type at 51%. Natural quartzite comes in right behind Quartz at 62% for countertop materials and 61% for backsplashes. Wood flooring is most popular among 94% of respondents as well. 

Custom Kitchens for Lifestyle Enhancements

Survey respondents were in 100% agreement that lifestyle enhancements will be a popular kitchen layout feature in the next 3 years, as kitchens become personalized, multi-purpose hubs. Among the top features are dedicated beverage areas (85%), pet feeding stations (64%) and eat-in kitchens (59%). Additionally, 94% agree that homeowners are adding functional spaces like mudrooms and flex-office spaces. Smarter storage is also in demand, with floor to ceiling cabinetry with more drawers, walk-in and butler pantries, refrigerators with custom configurations (70%) and islands packed with storage topping lists. 

Shining the Light on the Heart of the Home

Kitchens have become spaces for showcasing decorative, statement lighting, according to 87% of respondents. The most important kitchen design considerations to homeowners include natural lighting (95%), quality lighting (93%) and task lighting for work zones (92%). While a variety of lighting types will be on trend, under cabinet lights (82%), interior cabinet lights (72%) and pendant lights (63%) top the list. 

Technological Advancements

The kitchen is no stranger to the technological advancements taking the world by storm. Smart technology is gaining traction in select categories across the kitchen, including WiFi-enabled, mobile-app controlled appliances and lighting, and embedded wireless charging. Additionally, there is a growing interest in the kitchen as a space to facilitate healthier living and well-being. Clever features like steam cooking (66%), powerful vent hoods (85%), outdoor connection (71%), enhanced storage (72%), and smart, spacious refrigerators (72%) offer support and are gaining traction.

Generational Spotlight

The 2026 Kitchen Trends Report offers a look into key generational factors, including drivers and demands. It finds that Gen X and Boomers have the largest share in kitchen remodel projects (35% Gen X, 32% Boomers) and spend the most on them (90% Gen X, 71% Boomers). The drivers for remodels vary by generation as well, where Millennials without children seek more entertaining space (35%) and Boomers desire more accessible kitchens (31%). While boomers prefer a classic style with premium materials, Gen X wants features that increase home value and improve functionality for multi-generational living. 

Respondents anticipate varying design features to be popular among generations, the top features identified for each generation are:

• Gen Z: Smart and connected homes
• Millennials with Children: Multifunctional layouts for living
• Millennials without Children: High-end convenience
• Gen-X: Smarter storage and decrease clutter
• Boomers: Easy and healthy living

To download a PDF version of this release, click here.

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NKBA Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online among 634 respondents, who are members of the NKBA community and targeted occupations including designers (which make up 67% of responses), showrooms, dealers, specialists, manufacturers, kitchen and bath remodelers/contractors, and architects. If not qualified as the previous occupations, fabricators, home centers, honorary members, and installers were excluded from the field. Respondents must have designed, specified, or sold products for at least one kitchen project in the past year. All ages qualified and gender was allowed to fall naturally. The NKBA sample-sourced, self-administered survey was augmented with a third-party sample interviewer-administered survey. 

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)NKBA is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS). With 55,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has informed, educated, and supported the industry since the association was founded in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead, and empower the kitchen and bath industry through community, professional certification, and learning and events. For more information, go to NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522). KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Joint “Technology Integration in Kitchen, Bath, or Whole Home Report” quantifies market opportunity for designers and integrators as demand for smart integration rises among consumers

BETHLEHEM, Pa., September 4, 2025 – The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS), the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry, and CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals™, have partnered to commission a U.S.-based research study examining the current state of technology integration* in home design. Comprised of data generated from a survey completed by industry experts including kitchen, bath and interior designers and specifiers, general contractors and remodelers, home technology integrators, home builders, and more, the report provides a comprehensive look into the smart home integration market.

As interest in home technology has increased over the past two years, the report found that homeowners completing projects with smart technology allocated on average approximately 20% of the overall budget towards smart home integration – over $41k for the average whole home project**. With an evolving industry landscape and breadth of products available, homes of the future will require collaboration between designers, integrators, architects, and builders as homeowners advocate for smarter, more intuitive home systems.

On September 3, NKBA | KBIS global president & CEO Bill Darcy, sat down for a Town Hall conversation at CEDIA in Denver, CO, with Daryl Friedman, global president & CEO of CEDIA, to discuss the findings. 

“Smart home integration can be a substantial investment—whether for new homeowners or those upgrading their current space—and when done thoughtfully, it delivers an elevated, safer, and more seamless at-home experience,” said Darcy. “People aren’t looking for gimmicks. They want practical solutions that make everyday living easier, more efficient, and more connected.”

“Empowering design professionals and technology integrators to work closely pushes our entire industry ahead,” added Friedman. “Proper collaboration unlocks unique and innovative solutions tailored to every project and is shifting to become the new standard in home design – especially in the kitchen and bath, where so much technology is centered.”

With the top trade associations forging the way for ongoing and deeper collaboration and facilitating partnerships between the two industries, their common goal is to increase awareness for the role of the integrator at the onset of smart home projects. According to 75% of respondents, homeowners are currently the driving force for smart home integration, illustrating a client-driven demand for increased partnership. Looking ahead, 61% of respondents indicated that integrated technology is a “must-have” feature of the future, echoing the need for collaboration to be a priority upfront. By delving into the details, this report aims to recognize the features currently working the hardest in smart homes today, while uncovering the integration challenges and product opportunities to better prepare for the smart homes of tomorrow.

The full report is available at NKBA.org and CEDIA.org with free access for NKBA members and CEDIA members. Key findings include:

Integrated Technology Design Trends

• The Smart Home of Today

The trends that are hot on the market for clients who have expanded their home’s abilities using smart technology.

• Kitchen: 
  • Light Management: Designers and integrators agree that light is a top smart feature – 40% cite lighting controls to be most frequently requested by homeowners, while 25% cite motorized blinds/drapes.
  • Intelligent Fixtures: Motion sensor faucets (25%), smart TVs (20%), and smart refrigerators (18%) were all cited as top client requests.

• Bath:
  • Warming Up: Heated floors are the top request from clients (56% agree), while heated towel bars and steam showers top the list as well, indicating a desire for precise temperature control in the bath.
  • Clearing the Air: Smart exhaust fans are the top designer recommendation as bath ventilation technology has made headway in recent years – 41% cite it as a top homeowner request as well.

• Whole Home: 
  • Safety First: Security is a top feature for technology integration, including video doorbells and whole home systems. According to the report, safety measures will continue to be featured prominently on homeowner wishlists.
  • Listen Up: Whole home audio systems are cited as the fourth most requested smart feature by homeowners.

• The Smart Home of Tomorrow

The trends that are up-and-coming as lesser known smart features with the potential to reshape integrated tech.

• Kitchen: 
  • Smart Surfaces: 77% view smart countertops as an emerging trend – with features such as integrated wireless charging technology.
  • Your Personal Network: 68% anticipate connected countertop appliances becoming more popular, introducing the ability to control appliances like ovens, coffee makers, and standmixers remotely.
  • Home Heroes: As water leak detection becomes increasingly mainstream to address water scarcity and hedge costly damage, 67% view it as an emerging trend.

• Bath: 
  • Chance of Showers: Digitally-controlled smart shower systems that connect multiple faucets with custom user settings are on the rise – 71% see them as a top emerging trend.
  • Beauty on Ice: As the bath increasingly becomes a destination in itself, 67% anticipate the demand for bathroom refrigerators will grow, offering longer shelf-life for skincare products.

• Whole Home: 
  • Sit Smarter: With smart tech entering the furniture arena, 73% predict smart seating will be an emerging trend, offering ergonomic features that benefit posture, massage or heating capabilities for comfort, and connectivity for device management.
  • Health & Wellness: Increased sensitivities to the presence of toxic substances in the built environment have made many aware of how our environments are shaping and affecting our health. With that, 70% view air quality monitors as an emerging trend, while 69% predict health monitors to gain popularity in home design.

Download PDF version here.

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NKBA + CEDIA Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online among 190 respondents who are members of the NKBA and CEDIA communities and targeted occupations including interior designer, kitchen or bath designer, kitchen or bath specifier, general contractor/remodeler, home technology integrator, home builder, and custom home builder. If not qualified as the previous occupations, kitchen or bath showroom professionals, manufacturer or supplier of technology, appliances, and fixtures, and those working in home improvement stores were excluded from the field. Respondents must have completed at least one kitchen, bath, or whole home project in the past 2 years (either remodel or new construction). 

About NKBA | KBIS

NKBA | KBIS is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS). With 55,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has informed, educated and supported the industry since the association was founded in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through community, professional certification and learning, and events. For more information, go to NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522). KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

About CEDIA

CEDIA® is the Association for Smart Home Professionals™. Established in 1989, CEDIA is dedicated to advocacy, connection, and education, and fosters a thriving community as the home for smart home professionals. Globally, CEDIA advances the rights of technology integrators by working with governmental bodies; gathers industry professionals and allied tradespeople for learning and networking; and creates trainings, standards, and certifications to ensure the continued growth of the smart home industry. CEDIA co-owns Integrated Systems Europe, the world’s largest AV and systems integration exhibition, and founded CEDIA Expo, the world’s largest residential technology show. Today, a community of over 30,000 CEDIA members from more than 80 countries deliver smart home technology solutions that enrich homeowners’ lives. Learn more about CEDIA at cedia.org.

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