It’s Saturday morning and as I peruse through the many K & B magazines that have accumulated on my desk this week- that I haven’t had a chance to look at.  I am reminded that while we are still in the midst of the pandemic, we as kitchen & bath designers are really busy. Not only have our personal lives been affected but so to have our businesses, our work load and the countless hours we spend working from home. We have now extended our “work” hours to anytime between 7am and 11 pm. At least that’s true for me. I have to remind myself that it’s ok to take a break, go for a walk when I have a chance and yes actually clean my work house.

 As I was reading an article in KBB this morning I came across the “2021 Forecast: Projected Growth by Construction Type.” This article is predicting that Residential K & B spending will be $158.6 billion showing a 16.6% increase for 2021 while the new construction market is expected to rise 22.3%, followed by remodeling at 9.9%.

I found it interesting to read the sources of inspiration for kitchen remodels were led by Google, Instagram, TV/HGTV and design professionals last. Design Professionals last? This was the under 45 age group. The over 45 age group was a bit different – the #1 source was seeing someone else’s kitchen remodel in person, then TV, then Google.

So, the question is- Are YOU Ready? Are you poised for growth? Have you learned to work smarter rather than harder? Do you have systems in place for increased business? Do you know how to take a break and replenish yourself without feeling guilty?

Which brings me to another thought. What is your breaking point? I don’t mean financial, I mean personal. How many hours can you work until the work starts affecting your ability to successfully do your job and do it well? I’m sure it is different for everyone. It may be different if you have children at home who are also home schooling vs a single person living alone. But we all have a breaking point. Going into this busy time I think it’s important to know your breaking point and decide how to move into this upcoming year, so your work/life or life/work balance actually works for you instead of against you.

Check out the NKBA 2021 Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook” It’s no cost to you with your NKBA membership.

https://kb.nkba.org/research/nkba-2021-kitchen-bath-market-outlook/

By elizaBeth Marcocci CMKBD