Color sets the mood for any design project whether it’s a calming blue, an energetic orange or a go-with-anything neutral. In this year’s Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Report, the NKBA looked to the latest color trends to help you stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of design.

Neutrals are still strong with white and gray remaining the most widely-used colors for both kitchens and bathrooms, specifically in cabinetry. Moodier colors like blue and black are becoming increasingly popular, as well as high-gloss finishes. Two-toned kitchens are also on the rise along with mixed materials and metals, both in surfaces and as accents. K+B Insider Alberto Villalobos spotted this high-style black-and-white kitchen incorporating a variety of metal finishes at the DXV booth at KBIS 2017.

Kitchen Color

And though violets and purples are scoring with younger designers, neutral-toned bathrooms are still the star. White, off-white and gray are the most in-demand bathroom colors in part because of their versatility. White fixtures are also prevalent, while bone- and bisque-colored fixtures are on the wane. A glimmer of metal is also trending with faucets in brushed brass and gold finishes. Soft neutrals appealed to Jennifer Bertrand, AKBD, and our newest K+B Insider. She spied this range of finishes in a muted palette at the Kohler booth at KBIS.

Neutral Colors

For the latest on these and other hot kitchen and bathroom design trends, purchase the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Report or to download the executive summary of the report (free to NKBA members). If you’re interested in learning more about incorporating color into your designs, NKBA has you covered with three color-focused webinars.

  • Designing with Color: Expand the Palette will give you the information you need to identify color mistakes and correct them.
  • You’ll learn how to use color to create a mood, enhance behaviors, promote productivity, and more in The Psychological & Physiological Effects of Color in Design.
  • The virtual interactive lab, Create Tomorrow: Color Trend Forecasting, will show you how the color of the year is selected and let you collaborate with other kitchen and bath design experts to develop your own products.

To view all virtual instructor-led courses & webinars, visit the NKBA Certification + Design Calendar.