KBIS_trends

The Optimized Home – Trends in Kitchen and Bath

By Lila Allen

Being homebound for nearly a year has resulted in profound lifestyle changes for many, but citydwellers in particular. For some—especially those in high cost-of-living metropolises like New York and San Francisco—being confined to 1,000 square feet or less, with little access to the outside world, was a dealbreaker. This has resulted in a surge of home sales in towns like Raleigh and Austin, where residential square footage and outdoor space comes at less of a premium. RVs, too, have seen elevated sales, as many look to a temporary escape through life on the road.

Wherever people have landed, those with the means to do it have frequently opted to make the most of life at home by upgrading their appliances. A suite of new designs for kitchen and bath show the extent to which we can now make the nest a place to relax, cultivate lobbies, and look good doing it.

24″ INTEGRATED WINE DISPENSER

A new wine preservation and dispenser system from Dacor features two different temperature settings and can hold up to four bottles of the good stuff. When it comes time to drink, pick from three different one-touch pours: “taste,” “half-glass,” or “full glass.” Once opened, bottles can go up to 60 days without losing their aromatic profile.
DACOR
dacor.com

400 SERIES COMBI-STEAM OVEN

Combi-steam ovens—ovens that use both convection and steam to cook—were once only found in professional kitchens. Twenty years ago, Gaggenau changed that. Now, they’ve redesigned this multifunction appliance, which also has a fully automatic self-cleaning function.
GAGGENAU

gaggenau.com

STILLNESS BATH
Forget the spa: this new, fog-emitting design from Kohler is the final word in self-care. The tub fills from the bottom like a natural spring, and intentionally overflows into a Hinoki wood “moat” to produce gentle white noise. It also has a channel for adding essential oils, meaning you can tailor the scent of your bath to your heart’s desire.
KOHLER
us.kohler.com

URBAN BATH APRON STORAGE

If your bathtub is your sanctuary, there’s nothing like a wayward bottle of Head & Shoulders to kill the mood. American manufacturer Americh has recently debuted a new bath apron that conceals a 3 1/2″ by 36″ steel shelf for stowing shampoos, loofahs, and anything else that might clutter a tub area. The shelf has a magnetic close and can be easily removed for no-fuss cleaning.
AMERICH
americh.com

G 5000 DISHWASHER

This new washer from Miele offers some of the features of higher-end models at a more accessible price. Its bells and whistles include an auto-open function for optimal post-cycle drying as well as a 58-minute wash option. It can be ordered in both 24” and 18” widths, the latter of which is ideal for small kitchens and tiny homes.

MIELE

mieleusa.com

INSTAVIEW DOOR-IN-DOOR REFRIGERATOR

To see what’s inside this refrigerator from LG, there’s no need to open the door (which contributes to greater energy consumption and, long term, will wear out your unit). Knock twice on the door, and the fridge contents will be revealed. (Plus, the freezer’s “craft ice” feature can produce cocktail-ready ice balls—a nice touch on a nightcap.)
LG

lg.com