NKBA’s 2023 Design Trends Report showed that sustainability is gaining ground with designers and their clients.

By Seth Ellison

One of the key findings of NKBA’s 2023 Design Trends Report revealed that not only is sustainability growing in importance, but also that certain environmentally-friendly products will become more popular in the kitchen and bath industry in the next three years. So whether you’re looking to design a more sustainable home from the ground up or searching for greener upgrades for your customers, we’ve got you covered. Below are some of the report’s key highlights.

LED Lighting 

A whopping 82 percent of Design Trends respondents said clients were looking to change to LED lighting from incandescent to make their homes more sustainable. A primary reason reported for the switch is that LED lights are up to 80 percent more efficient, with 95 percent of energy converted into light and only 5 percent wasted as heat. LEDs also consume much less power, reducing the demand from power plants and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions — and they last up to six times longer.

VOC-Free Paints and Stains 

Many paints and varnishes give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — chemicals that evaporate in the air — that can lead to poor indoor air quality, triggering respiratory and other health issues. In addition to polluting indoor air, VOCs can make their way outside to contaminate outdoor air as well. In fact, more than two-thirds of the 176 million pounds of VOC emissions generated in California came from paints and coatings. As a result, nearly 50 percent of Design Trend respondents said they are opting for less toxic, eco-friendly paint and stain options. 

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Separate Storage for Recycling

Most well-run kitchens use waste pullouts as a secret weapon. So it’s no surprise that 68 percent of Design Trends respondents said separate storage for recycling topped their list of sustainable options. What makes it better than a regular garbage can? Elegantly seamless integration into cabinetry, ease of use, waste sorting and odor control, to name just a few.

Increased Natural Light Via Low-E Windows

The “e” in “low-E” stands for emissivity, which indicates the ability of a material to radiate energy. Low-emissivity glass is a clear glass that has been treated with a microscopically-thin coating of metallic oxides to improve its overall performance. And 62 percent of Design Trends respondents are into the “e, opting for low-E windows because their energy-radiating qualities minimize the ultraviolet and infrared light that passes through the material, improving insulation and reducing electricity bills.

EPA ENERGY STAR-Certified Appliances

To be ENERGY STAR-qualified, products must meet the EPA’s strict energy efficiency guidelines. An appliance or product might be promoted as  “energy-efficient”, but unless it carries the Certified label, it may not meet the EPA’s standards. Indeed, 57 percent of Design Trends respondents reported switching to products with the government-backed stamp of approval because they offer more savings and lower energy bills — and ultimately they reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.