A new year is the perfect time to take a second look at your design space and refresh with some trending ideas that will inject new energy and excitement. We are always seeking thoughtful trends that balance design and inspiration. This year we have discovered some great ways for you and your customers to update your design game and bring your look in line with what’s current in the kitchen and bath industry. Here are our five leading trends for the year ahead.

Beautifully Finished

Matte black is quickly replacing traditional metallic finishes as the “it look” in today’s fashion-forward kitchens. Lenova recently introduced a sophisticated matte black finish for two of its newest kitchen faucets and it’s a chic look that is both dramatic and elegant. 

Lenova’s interpretation of black is a more refined iteration of the glossy version popular during the 1980s. This soft flat finish goes equally well with classic white and gray kitchens or more modern, colorful decors. Black is a smart choice for the kitchen because of its neutrality (black goes with everything!) as well as its durability. Lenova incorporates proprietary PVD processing into its manufacturing system to create a matte finish that is long-lasting and easy to maintain. 

Sensible Spaces

Making the most of smaller bathrooms takes ingenuity and careful planning. MTI Baths checks both boxes with its award-winning Integrated Deck Designs. These partial tub surrounds wrap the tub snugly and provide a mounting area for faucets and shelf space for toiletries, as well as a concealed yet accessible niche for air bath blower motors and other plumbing. It’s a wonderful way to add space-saving storage while still allowing the silhouette of the tub to be exposed. 

Each design is created according to customer specifications for a custom look and fit. This option is available on all MTI freestanding tubs and is crafted from MTI’s proprietary SculptureStone material, which is 100 percent solid and 75 percent organic. 

Icera brings smart space planning to the bathroom with its ultra-compact Malibu II toilet. Its round-front bowl consumes less than 25 in. from front to back and is the only compact toilet of this size on the market that meets ADA height requirements. The Malibu II is perfect for contemporary decors with its minimalist-inspired skirted base and is well-proportioned to offer comfort and ease without overpowering tight quarters. 

This sleek one-piece design delivers on performance with Icera’s powerful EcoQuartro flushing technology. As a high-efficiency toilet, it consumes just 1.28 gal. of water per flush. The fully glazed bowl is crafted of vitreous china and comes with a MicroGlaze finish for easy cleaning. 

Vintage Vibe

From farmhouse flair to 1950s inspired décor, the vintage look is definitely in. The key to creating an authentic retro look is paying attention to the small details such as lighting fixtures, architectural trims and hardware. Nostalgic Warehouse captures the essence of vintage décor with its Brass Cabinet Hardware Collection. 

We especially love the solid-brass cup pulls — their distinctive shape coupled with a range of gorgeous finish options brings a period feeling to any design space. The 3-in. cup pulls coordinate with the brand’s most popular collections including Victorian, Soleil, Egg & Dart and Meadows. Matching knobs also are available for a fully cohesive look. 

Atlas Homewares embraces vintage design but adds a modern twist with its Logan Collection. Inspired by 1950s hardware, this collection features squared edges and a simple profile. Install the pulls with feet facing in or out — choose a mix of both for added interest and whimsy. Available in sizes ranging from 3 3/4 in. to 7 9/16 in., the Logan Collection comes in a choice of four lovely finishes — matte black, warm brass, brushed nickel and polished chrome. 

Colors of Spring

A slate of fresh color injects new interest and excitement to any design space, and current trends include muted tones as well as vibrant pops of color. StoneImpressions brings the colors of spring, inspired by a delicate dandelion flower, to its beautiful lineup of tile designs. Its latest offering — the Eliana tile — instantly adds texture and warmth to both traditional and contemporary decors. 

Color options range from dusty blue and green to soft pink hues. The Eliana is available in 6x6 tiles on arctic white or limestone tiles and may be custom-ordered to suit specific space requirements and design styles. It is perfect for light residential flooring, fireplace surrounds, stair risers or in intermittent vertical wet areas such as shower walls and kitchen backsplashes. 

The Furniture Guild brings a rainbow of colors to the bathroom with an amazing palette of finish options on its heirloom-quality vanities. The Lydia is the newest transitional design, complete with minimalist lines and decorative metallic trim highlighting three vertical drawer fronts. 

As with all Furniture Guild pieces, customers can customize the Lydia in all manner of finishes, including traditional and exotic woods, matte and high gloss options, even custom paint colors. From brilliant blues to striking reds, the company celebrates the idea of injecting color into traditional all-white bathrooms and offers a fun way to make a memorable style statement. 

Defining Details

Truly great design has a signature — a distinctive element that elevates a space from ordinary to something special. The VIBE from BainUltra is more than a bathtub; it’s an oasis of relaxation. Designed to appeal to a new generation of bathers, particularly city-dwelling millennials living a hectic lifestyle, the VIBE is a sophisticated take on the classic freestanding bath with sleek lines and artfully sloped walls that cradle tired bodies. 

Its ergonomic design is geared to fit smaller urban bathrooms, while still offering a full spectrum of indulgent therapies to help bathers relax and refocus. It is available as a freestanding tub in three finishes, including a dramatic black-and-white version, as well as in a drop-in or undermount version.  

As the old saying goes, the difference is in the details, and it is certainly proving true in these rising trends. It’s a great reminder to all of us to be thoughtful in the small matters of product design — the range of colors and finishes, the luxurious extras, the perfect proportions. These details add up to create a big impact and an important influence on the industry’s design trajectory.

We look forward to watching these trends more closely and discovering the innovations awaiting us in the months ahead.