Yankee Barn Homes’ Creative Director and co-owner, Jeffrey Rosen, recently attended the KBIS 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is a “MUST DO” for anyone involved in the home trade business. Over 600 manufacturers and suppliers were on display at this year’s show. Jeffrey was tasked with visiting as many booths as he could. His mission was to report on trends he saw coming for the home build industry in 2020 and beyond.
The following are Jeffrey’s observations from a jam-packed 48 hour experience at KBIS.
TRENDS IN HOUSING FEATURES FOR 2020 & BEYOND
SPACES
1. Boss Lady Space Work station for today’s female. Sexist as it is, a place for the women of the house to work, plan, communicate. Conveniently located with light, storage, computer, and possibly a mini-fridge.
2. Pet Space The Barking Lot. Planned areas for pet care, grooming, supplies, storage, possible refrigeration to store fresh pet foods, washing stations for both the pet and their dishes.
3. Arrival Center The mudroom concept blown up and out. A place for everything to happen that comes in and out of the house, including refrigeration for food, etc. Amazon Deliveries, clothing, including a specific place for dry cleaning, charging stations and more.
4. Smart Home A connected environment. In existing homes control panels and such will be accessed using Wi-Fi. In new construction, houses will be wired with Category 6 wire, anticipating the mass roll out of 5G service. You can use a control panel or use apps. All appliances are now Wi-Fi receptive. Thermador has its own app. This will also be offered in plumbing fixtures.
Note: In new construction, a connectivity or integrator specialist might be hired to advise in planning/designing a Smart Home.
5. Multi-Generational Home Universal Design is replacing the term Age-in-Place to allow easier understanding and acceptance of terminology while lessening the stigma associated with age in place. Begin earlier to make a house suitable as we age. Home design and build companies are pursuing the Planning Ahead Strategy, promoting the idea of Universal Design concepts to millennials.
Another new addition to the planning stage of home design is a Wellness Questionnaire. The process will help integrate ideas of air, water, and food care/systems/control into our daily routines. Grocery tour consultants are being hired to deal with daily nutrition and the change this presents in shopping patterns. Consultants address the idea of fresh daily grocery shopping and the change this process brings in how food will be stored. There is less need for freezer space while creating different requirements for refrigeration and food prep.
HOT PRODUCTS
Appliances: Wi-Fi Controlled, New colors and finishes.
Cabinetry: Mixture of colors and finishes, dark accents.
High Efficiency Split-System hvac Designs that eliminate the need for duct work. New interior components that sit flush with ceilings and walls, rather than the traditional units that are wall hung and appear clumsy.
Flexible Window Products continue to expand. New shapes, heights, and configurations are coming to the market every day.
Improved LED Lighting for interior use with better lamp quality.
Elevator Ready (if not installed) homes, designed with stacked closets to convert to a future elevator core.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Tariff Issues Discussions took place on how businesses should handle communicating possible price increases due to tariffs, without using the “T” word and without getting into politics. Companies are shying away from anything political and/or presenting a political opinion. The prevailing consensuses is for the industry to Stay In Its Lane.
