2013 Kitchen and Bath Remodel Design Trends from NKBA

By Matt Blank

What’s hot… and what’s not… in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling for 2013?  

From National Kitchen & Bath Association: “As we settle into 2013 and a seemingly healthier national economy, some kitchen and bath design trends continue to flourish, while consumer budgets for these projects appear to have shrunk just a bit. To get specific —

* Gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year. Used currently in 55% of kitchens and 56% of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.

* Also, continuing an important trend from last year, transitional-style kitchens and baths have clearly surpassed traditional styles, a longstanding favorite until 2012.

 * While the use of quartz finishes was in slight decline last year, it has surfaced as a clear trendsetter this year, coming a close second to granite.

 * Homeowner spending on their kitchen and bath remodels was trending upward a year ago, but the latest numbers tell a slightly less robust story. Heading into 2012, the total cost of the average kitchen and the average bath design was $51,050 and $18,575, respectively. As we move into 2013, the figures have dipped to $47,308 in kitchens, while staying steady at $18,538 in bathrooms.

Over 300 National Kitchen & Bath Association member-designers participated in the 2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012. While broad trends won’t be evident in every local market, the following are the top overall trends that emerged for kitchens and baths across the United States and Canada.”  

General Kitchen & Bathroom Trends for 2013

1. Shades of Grey
2. Quartz Counters
3. Trending “Transitional” Style (a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary)

2013 Kitchen Remodeling Trends

1. White Painted Cabinetry
2. Glass Backsplash
3. LED/Energy Efficient Lighting
4. Touch-activated faucets
5. Satin Nickel finish faucets on the rise

  2013 Bathroom Remodeling Trends

1. Ceramic/Porcelain tile flooring.
2. Undermounted sinks remain the most requested in bathrooms.

Average Total Costs: No Growth

NKBA members did not see any increase in the average costs of their bathrooms and kitchens. Kitchens actually fell by .08% (around $3700 less than 2012). Bathrooms sunk even less - .017% (about $300 less than 2012). While no growth sounds like a bad thing, these numbers are up thousands of dollars from the bottom of 2011.

You can view and download the complete 2013 report here.  

When you want to make your ideas a reality, call MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC in Lancaster County, PA for the Kitchen or Bathroom of your dreams!

Making Your Bathroom into a Relaxing Retreat

After the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, we all deserve to come home to a luxurious place to unwind. Your home’s bathroom, although often overlooked, could be your personal retreat.

While planning a bathroom makeover, it’s best to start from the ground up. The floor is the priority, because it’s the most permanent part of the room. Options range from luxury vinyl, to natural stone, to porcelain or ceramic tile, to marble. Tiles and marble may have a higher price tag, but they are durable and long-lasting. Vinyl on the other hand, is a lesser expensive option for a remodel, especially coupled with the intent to sell. 

The right style and color of flooring can also make a bathroom feel much larger than it is. A light-colored marble floor with a thin, complementary-colored vein adds luxury, while also keeping the space fresh and airy. 




Cabinetry is the next step in the remodel design and has the potential to be the largest cost in your budget. A cost-saving alternative is to give your current cabinets a facelift with a coat of bright, white lacquer. 

Another option is to reface your current cabinets. This involves replacing or upgrading the cabinet door and drawer fronts and retaining the cabinet base. If the existing cabinets can not be maintained, there are many styles to choose from, including custom-made wood cabinets, oak panels washed in white, mirror-on-mirror treatments, warm pecan-stained oak, contemporary metal drawers or soft frosted glass panels.

Selecting the countertops is your next step. Often times, marble or granite can be purchased at a discount from a stone scrap yard. 

Laminate or Formica are two other great options, which will give you similar look to marble or granite at a fraction of the cost.

The finishing details and accessories have the ability to take a nicely remodeled bathroom and make it into your luxury get-away. 

Hardware is a simple way to add your personal touch and style. Whether it’s modern with clean lines or old and vintage, it’s about what makes you happy.

Let the sunshine in! A skylight may be just what you need to allow natural light into your space. A skylight is also quite private. 

For windows that need a covering, bamboo or other natural fibers add tranquility and warmth, while allowing natural light to pass through.

Turning your bathroom into your personal retreat is all about reflecting your style, attention to detail and selecting the right materials.