What You Missed at KBIS 2025
This year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) showcased the latest in kitchen and bath innovation per usual but also placed a greater emphasis on whole-home design, sustainability, and AI-driven technology. This shift means new opportunities to integrate cutting-edge materials and smarter appliances into your projects. Feeling the FOMO? Here’s what stood out at KBIS and how to translate these trends into your next project.
Wellness and Sustainability Took Center Stage
Health-conscious design is now a non-negotiable for clients, and KBIS 2025 proved that manufacturers are taking it seriously. Clean water and air purification were central themes, with brands introducing high-performance filtration systems that remove microplastics, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. Induction cooktops with advanced downdraft ventilation, like JennAir’s latest model, eliminate smoke and grease at the source—making range hoods optional and opening up new design possibilities for seamless kitchen layouts.
Sustainability took center stage in materials as well. Cosentino debuted Q0, a zero-silica surface made from up to 90% recycled content, setting a new standard for eco-friendly countertops. Expect sustainability credentials to play an even greater role in client decision-making, especially as regulations tighten around materials with high silica content.

On the indulgent side of wellness, cold plunges emerged as a must-have luxury feature. A sleek new ice bath won the Gold for Wellness Trailblazer at the Best of KBIS awards. As homeowners continue prioritizing spa-like experiences in their bathrooms, designers should anticipate an increased demand for high-end hydrotherapy fixtures, infrared saunas, and advanced steam shower systems.
Personalized Appliances and Fixtures
The shift toward hyper-customization was evident in nearly every category at KBIS. Appliance brands showcased an unprecedented level of personalization, allowing clients to choose from a range of hardware finishes, panel colors, and even modular configurations.
Matte white and graphite finishes are replacing traditional stainless steel as the new neutrals, offering a softer, more integrated look. But green was the real star of the show. From KitchenAid’s deep Juniper finish to True Residential’s Olive color of the year, appliance manufacturers are betting on rich, earthy tones as the next big thing in kitchen design.
Hardware personalization also reached new heights, with new selections for knobs and handles rivaling that of a jewelry store. Brands like Bertazzoni and Café now offer mix-and-match metal options for range knobs, appliance pulls, and even induction cooktop trims. This level of detail allows designers to create fully coordinated kitchens with a bespoke feel, right down to the smallest elements.
Even refrigeration is becoming more flexible. Column-style fridges, freezers, and wine storage units are now available in an expanded range of widths, making it easier to design fully customized cooling solutions. Convertible refrigerator-freezer drawers, like Midea’s 50/50 Flex 3-Way, give homeowners the ability to adjust cooling zones based on their needs—whether they’re stocking up on groceries or chilling wine for a dinner party.
Tech Gets Smarter
Artificial intelligence was everywhere at KBIS, with brands competing to integrate the most advanced AI-driven features into their appliances. One AI oven could recognize food placed inside and suggest recipes, while another AI Coffee Assistant lets users customize their coffee through voice commands. Bespoke fridges take AI a step further, using cameras to track inventory, suggest recipes based on what’s inside, and even alert homeowners when expiration dates are approaching. This level of automation is shaping the way kitchens are designed by reducing clutter (goodbye, notepads and grocery lists) and streamlining workflows.

Not all innovation at KBIS was AI-driven. One of the most talked-about breakthroughs was wireless countertop charging technology. Embedded directly into surfaces like stone and wood, this technology allows users to charge their devices simply by placing them on the counter. This invisible power solution is a game-changer for clean, modern kitchen designs and signals a move toward fully integrated smart surfaces.
The Functional Showstopper
Oversized workstation sinks are taking over, offering designers new ways to maximize prep space and functionality for home chef clients. Many workstation sinks come with multi-tiered accessories like drying racks, colanders, and cutting boards that transform them into full prep stations. And the concept is expanding beyond kitchens—Ruvati introduced a compact laundry workstation sink with a built-in wood washboard, perfect for small-space designs. For high-end kitchens, look out for integrated workstation sinks with stone-finish options that seamlessly blend into countertops (for a trendy material-drenched look).
Textured Luxury
Smooth, polished surfaces are taking a backseat to tactile, high-design textures. Fluted, ribbed, and knurled finishes were everywhere at KBIS, from cabinet fronts to sink basins and appliance panels. The linear textures bring a refined look to bath spaces, while fluted tiles are pushing engineered stone into exciting new design territory.

The expansion of textured surfaces is also influencing material innovation. The latest sintered stone collections feature deep etching techniques that mimic the look and feel of natural materials, adding depth and character to countertops, backsplashes, and even wall cladding.
The Biggest Takeaway From KBIS
The biggest message from KBIS 2025 is kitchen and bath design is now about creating fully integrated, wellness-driven, and highly personalized spaces. With AI technology automating everyday tasks and customization taking over, designers have more tools than ever to craft kitchens and bathrooms that cater to the evolving needs of clients. For designers looking to stay ahead, expect wellness, technology, and personalization to continue driving the conversation in the years ahead.
SOURCES: The Business of Home, Houzz, Houzz, Business of Home, Martha Stewart