RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2022
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A S S O C I A T I O N N E W S
T
he COVID-19 pandemic altered the way we interact with
the spaces we live – likely forever. The kitchen and bath
received extra attention from quarantined homeowners,
accelerating consumer interest in and adoption of key trends like
integration of smart technology and adapting single-use rooms
into more flexible multi-functional spaces.
"We've seen the pandemic have an effect across all sectors in
our society, and we're now starting to see how the change in
human behaviors is shifting the way we design our homes," said
Bill Darcy, Chief Executive Officer, National Kitchen & Bath
Association. "Consumers are more eager to embrace new
technologies, innovative ways to provide multi-functional options
to maximize their space to fit any occasion, and are opting for
surfaces and designs that make it easier to clean, as well as
addressing health and wellness."
WHOLE HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION AND SMART
TECHNOLOGY
Consumer desire for whole home technology integration isn't
new. Two studies conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath
Association – one in 2018 focused on the kitchen, and another on
the bath in 2019 — showed consumer interest outpacing designer
2022 BATHROOM DESIGN TRENDS:
EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY & FLEX SPACES
