The first-ever virtual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2021), held alongside IBSx, marked a turning point for residential design. While the shift to a digital format posed challenges for networking and product demonstrations, manufacturers used the opportunity to showcase some of the most meaningful innovations the industry has seen in years. For professional home builders and remodelers, the trends that emerged from KBIS 2021 continue to shape how kitchens and baths are designed, specified, and built today.
From highly customizable appliances to surfaces that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living, the themes that dominated KBIS 2021 reflect deeper shifts in homeowner expectations. Buyers want kitchens that express their personal style, bathrooms that function as wellness retreats, and homes that integrate technology without sacrificing aesthetics. This article breaks down the five major trends that emerged from the show and explains how builders can apply them to current projects.
Customization and Personalization in Kitchen Appliances
The demand for personalized kitchen spaces reached a new high at KBIS 2021, and appliance manufacturers responded with products that give homeowners unprecedented control over the look and function of their kitchens. Samsung led the charge with its Bespoke refrigerator collection, a modular system that allows homeowners to mix and match panel colors, finishes, and configurations to create a refrigerator that fits their exact style. The level of customizability extends to functional details, including the type of ice produced, a feature that resonated strongly with consumers.
Several other major brands followed the same direction. Signature Kitchen Suite and Dacor both introduced expanded lines of panel-ready appliances that accept custom cabinetry fronts, enabling a seamless, built-in look. Dacor went a step further with DacorMatch, a service that hand-paints appliances in nearly any color imaginable at its California facility. For builders, these options mean greater flexibility when designing kitchens for clients who want their appliances to complement, not dominate, the room.
What Builders Should Know About Customizable Appliances
- Panel-ready appliances require coordination between the cabinet maker and appliance supplier during the design phase
- Custom paint options add 4 to 8 weeks to lead times, so early ordering is essential
- Modular refrigeration systems allow builders to offer column refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage in any combination
- Homeowners increasingly expect customization as a standard offering, not a premium upgrade
Builders who stay current with luxury kitchen appliance trends reshaping new home construction will be better positioned to deliver kitchens that meet rising buyer expectations. The shift toward personalization is not a passing fad. It reflects a fundamental change in how homeowners view their kitchens as the most personal and expressive room in the house.
Expanded Interiors Blending Indoor and Outdoor Living Spaces
Another defining theme at KBIS 2021 was the expansion of interior design principles into outdoor spaces. Manufacturers introduced products that make outdoor kitchens feel as polished and functional as their indoor counterparts. Cosentino showcased its Dekton surface material for outdoor kitchen countertops, offering heat resistance, UV stability, and a texture that mimics natural stone. Thor Kitchen and Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens both unveiled full outdoor cooking suites designed with professional-grade components.
This trend is driven by homeowners who want their outdoor areas to serve as true extensions of the home, rather than afterthoughts with a basic grill and a patio table. The materials and appliances now available make it possible to build outdoor kitchens that include refrigeration, ventilation, storage, and food preparation surfaces that match the quality of indoor spaces.
Key Product Categories for Outdoor Kitchen Construction
| Product Category | Key Considerations for Builders | Notable KBIS 2021 Introductions |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor countertops | Heat resistance, UV stability, stain resistance | Dekton by Cosentino, sintered stone surfaces |
| Outdoor cooking appliances | Weather-rated components, professional-grade burners | Thor Kitchen outdoor suites, Brown Jordan |
| Outdoor refrigeration | Stainless steel construction, temperature range for beverages | Built-in under-counter refrigerators and ice makers |
| Outdoor ventilation | Wind-rated hoods, remote blower options | Integrated downdraft and ceiling-mounted systems |
| Outdoor cabinetry | Marine-grade materials, powder-coated aluminum frames | Weather-resistant cabinet systems from multiple brands |
For builders, the expanded interiors trend means rethinking how the floor plan connects indoor and outdoor zones. Pocket doors, large sliding glass panels, and continuous flooring materials help create a seamless transition. Specifying kitchen and bath product innovations for professional builders that work across both environments ensures a cohesive design language throughout the home.
Sustainability as a Core Design Principle
Sustainability moved from a niche concern to a mainstream priority at KBIS 2021. Manufacturers across every product category introduced offerings that reduce environmental impact without compromising performance or aesthetics. GE Appliances highlighted its energy-monitoring technology, which gives homeowners real-time data on appliance energy consumption through a connected dashboard. Bosch presented its Green Collection of dishwashers and laundry pairs designed to use less water and electricity while maintaining cleaning performance.
Surface material manufacturers also embraced sustainability. Cosentino highlighted its hybrid technology, which uses recycled materials in Dekton and Silestone surfaces. Multiple tile companies introduced lines made from post-consumer recycled glass and ceramic waste. Even faucet manufacturers joined the trend with low-flow designs that achieve WaterSense certification without sacrificing pressure or spray performance.
Practical Strategies for Specifying Sustainable Products
- Prioritize ENERGY STAR certified appliances and WaterSense labeled fixtures as a baseline specification
- Choose surface materials that contain recycled content, such as sintered stone with post-industrial waste
- Specify LED-integrated range hoods and under-cabinet lighting to reduce overall electrical load
- Select induction cooktops over gas where possible, as induction is more energy efficient and improves indoor air quality
- Work with suppliers who can provide Environmental Product Declarations for the products you specify
Builders who integrate sustainable product selections into their standard specifications will find that the cost premium has narrowed significantly. Many energy-efficient appliances now price competitively with standard models, and the long-term operating savings provide a compelling sales point for environmentally conscious buyers. Staying updated on smart appliance trends in new home construction helps builders identify which products deliver both sustainability and performance.
Connected Technology for Smarter Kitchens and Baths
Connected technology was everywhere at KBIS 2021, and the offerings went far beyond smart refrigerators with touchscreens. Kohler introduced its Anthem digital shower system, which allows homeowners to set and recall personalized shower presets for water temperature, spray pattern, and steam settings through a single digital controller. Moen presented its U by Moen smart faucet line, which adds voice control and motion activation to the kitchen sink. These products represent a shift from novelty features to genuinely useful technology that enhances daily life.
Smart appliances also became more interconnected. Samsung emphasized its SmartThings platform, which allows homeowners to control and monitor all connected devices from a single app. GE Appliances demonstrated how its smart ovens can be preheated remotely and send notifications when cooking is complete. Refrigerators with internal cameras let homeowners check their grocery inventory from their phone while at the store.
Connectivity Considerations for Builders
- Plan for robust Wi-Fi coverage in the kitchen and bath areas, including mesh systems or wired access points
- Include USB-C and standard electrical outlets in kitchen islands and bath vanity areas for device charging
- Specify smart home platforms that are compatible across brands, such as SmartThings or Matter-certified devices
- Provide homeowners with a summary of connected features and recommended setup procedures at closing
- Consider pre-wiring for future smart home additions even if the initial specification does not include them
The connected kitchen and bath market is evolving rapidly, and builders who understand what NKBA report data reveals about kitchen design trends will be better equipped to make specification decisions that satisfy today’s tech-savvy homebuyers.
Bold Color and Natural Materials in Kitchen and Bath Design
The final major trend from KBIS 2021 was a move toward bolder color choices and the use of natural materials. After years of all-white kitchens and gray bathrooms, manufacturers introduced products that embrace richer, more expressive palettes. Cabinet manufacturers showed deep navy, forest green, and charcoal finishes alongside warm wood tones. Surface material companies presented natural stone looks in quartz and porcelain that provide the visual depth of marble without the maintenance concerns.
This trend reflects a broader shift in homeowner preferences. Buyers are moving away from spaces that feel generic and toward designs that have personality and warmth. Cosentino introduced new colors in its Silestone collection that draw inspiration from natural landscapes, including warm terracottas, deep blues, and earthy greens. Appliance manufacturers also joined the color movement, with brands offering refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers in saturated hues that serve as design statements rather than utilitarian objects.
How Builders Can Incorporate Bold Color and Natural Materials
- Use bold color on a single focal element, such as a kitchen island or a bath vanity, to create visual interest without overwhelming the space
- Specify natural-look quartz and porcelain slabs that offer the beauty of marble, soapstone, or concrete with superior durability and lower maintenance
- Coordinate cabinet colors with countertop materials and backsplash tiles to create a cohesive palette
- Offer homeowners color visualization tools during the design phase to build confidence in nontraditional color choices
- Use wood-look porcelain plank flooring in baths for the warmth of natural wood with water-resistant performance
The use of natural materials extends beyond aesthetics. Stone, wood, and ceramic surfaces offer durability that synthetic alternatives often cannot match. Builders who guide clients toward well-chosen natural materials and bold accent colors will deliver homes that feel current without dating quickly. For further insight into how these patterns are evolving, review the NKBA report analysis for kitchen design trends that tracks changing buyer preferences year over year.
Bringing KBIS 2021 Trends Into Your Next Project
The five trends from KBIS 2021, customization, expanded indoor-outdoor living, sustainability, connected technology, and bold natural design, are not isolated movements. They overlap and reinforce each other in ways that create more thoughtful, functional, and desirable homes. A kitchen with customizable panel-ready appliances, sustainable materials, integrated smart technology, and a bold color palette tells a cohesive story that resonates with today’s buyers.
For professional builders, the most practical takeaway is to evaluate each trend through the lens of your specific market. Not every trend applies to every project. But understanding what the industry is moving toward allows you to make informed specification decisions, offer relevant options to your clients, and differentiate your homes in a competitive market. The manufacturers that exhibited at KBIS 2021 made it clear that the future of residential construction is personalized, connected, sustainable, and designed to blur the boundaries between indoors and out.