The Kitchen and Bath Industry (KBIS) Show is an annual pilgrimage for us here at Toulmin Kitchen and Bath!

Every year we travel to the show and experience all of the new and innovative products manufacturers will release in the coming year. This year's show was no exception with a whole host of amazing products, the latest design trends and great networking opportunities throughout the convention hall.

This year we brought half of our team down to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for the show and we weren't disappointed! We love to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. This year we were excited to meet HGTV's Property Brothers. Drew and Jonathon were great! We had an interesting conversation about the state of our industry and all of the new design trends and even managed to get this shot with the guys and our team! 

The KBIS show is a great experience for us at Toulmin Kitchen and Bath. It gets our creative juices flowing and helps us stay ahead of the trends in our industry, which allows us to better meet our client's creative vision for their homes. Here's are a few of the latest trends and five of the best products we uncovered during our visit to the KBIS show in Orlando.

The Trend This Year Is Towards Color and Texture!

The biggest trend we found this year is more manufacturers delivering more variety regarding color. There are a lot of beautiful new quartz colors on tap for this year from both Silestone and Caesarstone. One color sure to turn heads is Calcutta Gold from Silestone. Caesarstone's newest color is Noble Grey, and it's luxurious and soon to be classic. On the texture front, suede finish quartz is going to be big. It's a honed quartz that has an incredible matte finish, and more manufacturers are working with it.

Kitchen fixtures are also coming in color! Grohe is releasing a fun series of bright, warm-colored fixtures that can add a beautiful pop of color to your kitchen. In a more traditional vein, the most popular finish at the show was Kohler's brushed bronze. It is golden colored and very luxurious.

Design trends in the bath were a big item at the show. This year's bath trends include brushed bronze finished fixtures, hidden audio, reclaimed wood and sliding barn doors. Freestanding tubs, large walk in showers, luxury lighting and quiet ventilation are also trending strongly. The newest design trend is towards the shower tub combo which is where both are behind glass creating a “wet room.”

Our Top 5 Products from KBIS 2017

There was so much to see and so many great new products available that it's hard to narrow it down. But these five products really caught our attention. They showcase the form and function of the best technology and design elements for the coming year.

Kohler Touchless Faucets

Kohler has been making touchless faucets for some years, and they're great products. This year they've upgraded their technology. Before you would need to physically touch the faucet to turn it on and off. This years model features sensor technology. Simply run your hand under the faucet, and it will turn on and off. No physical contact. This means less cleaning and more efficient operation. They're available in several different design styles and finishes.

The Urban Cultivator

This is really neat and the perfect addition to your kitchen if you're a foodie! The Urban Cultivator is a fully automated indoor gardening unit the comes complete with timed grow lights and temperature control. With it, you can grow healthy organic herbs, vegetables, and micro greens right in your kitchen. It installs like an under-counter beverage center and is an attractive addition to your kitchen décor. With the urban cultivator, you can harvest seconds before you plate, giving you access to fresh organic micro greens and herbs year-round!

Glideware

Glideware has been around for years and produces excellent kitchen organizers. They make various models including hanging and in-cabinet versions that can keep your cookware neat and organized. No more searching for the perfect pans or lids for your pots. They've stepped up their game and have introduced pantry organizers, garage organizers, and a really great corner lazy susan organizer. It's a great accessory to help make your corner cabinet even more useful. It's not yet available but should be coming sometime during the first quarter of 2017.

2020 Software

This is a great product that we've used when we're designing a space. It offers photorealistic images that can give you a feel for your finished space. This year the trend is towards 3D modeling, and 2020 has improved their product. It's incorporating virtual reality into the design process. With 2020 you can now create an immersive experience for customers. The simply don a headset like the Oculus Rift, and they are taken into their space. They can turn and see it from any angle as they virtually walk through a photorealistic 3D rendering of their new kitchen!

odor eliminating disposal

InSinkErator Odor Eliminating Garbage Disposal – One issue we often hear from clients is that they hate the smell of their garbage disposal. InSinkErator has addressed this with a new product. This garbage disposal automatically emits an odor eliminator when it is engaged. It has a bright citrus smell, and you can choose from a variety of other scents. No more worrying about unpleasant odors, no more running soap or citrus juice through your disposal!

This year's show offered plenty of new products and design tips. What we've found is that there was a big focus was on functionality. The InSinkErator and Glideware's organizers are the perfect example. They may not add to the form of your kitchen renovation, but with simple products like these, you can make your space much more functional and enjoyable.

KBIS was a great experience for our entire group. We travel to these shows to keep current on the latest styles, trends and product innovations and this year's show was pretty exciting. We're looking forward to being able to work with our clients to help them make their homes even more luxurious with these new products. If you want to learn more, or have any questions, feel free to give us a call. We're always happy to help keep you up to date on the latest in kitchen and bath remodeling!

About Toulmin Kitchen & Bath Design - We're West Alabama's award-winning, premier kitchen and bath showroom. We're experts who are known for a design-build process that makes the construction process stress-free. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a design consultation.