The Luxe Resident

By Natalia Ramalho, Editor-in-Chief, The Luxe Resident

Each February, the global design industry gathers in the United States for what has become the most influential event in the kitchen and bath calendar. This year, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) returned to Orlando as part of Design & Construction Week, bringing together 117,000 registrants, 2,250 exhibitors and more than one million square feet of exhibition space across the Orange County Convention Center.

Attending as part of NKBA Global Connect’s selected international press, I joined designers, architects, manufacturers and industry leaders from around the world for three days of product launches, industry dialogue and immersive brand experiences. For those observing the sector on a global level, KBIS offers something particularly valuable, a real-time view of where residential design is heading and the innovations shaping the next generation of the home.

Owned by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), KBIS remains North America’s largest trade event dedicated to the kitchen and bath sector. Reflecting on the show’s success, Bill Darcy, Global President and CEO of NKBA | KBIS, described KBIS 2026 as “an incredible success and a reflection of the remarkable vitality of the kitchen and bath industry,” noting that the event reignited enthusiasm for the future while fostering meaningful connections across the industry.

What quickly became clear across the show floor was that KBIS is no longer simply a trade exhibition. It is a barometer for how the home, and particularly the kitchen and bath, is evolving in response to technology, wellness and changing lifestyles.

One of the most visible themes at KBIS was the growing integration of smart technology and AI-driven innovation within everyday domestic environments. Across the exhibition halls, brands demonstrated how connectivity and data are reshaping how we interact with our homes.

Among the most notable developments was Dekoda by Kohler Health, a device designed to monitor hydration and digestive health through daily bathroom use, an example of how the bathroom is rapidly becoming a centre for personal wellbeing technology. Elsewhere, the industry’s push toward seamless functionality was evident in products such as FreePower wireless charging integrated directly into surfaces, reflecting a broader move toward discreet, invisible technology within the home. These innovations speak to a wider shift, the home is increasingly expected to anticipate our needs rather than simply respond to them.

Perhaps the most defining narrative across KBIS this year was the growing emphasis on wellness within residential design. What was once considered a luxury feature has become an expectation, with kitchens and bathrooms now playing a central role in supporting health, comfort and longevity. From advanced water purification systems such as Kohler’s Aquifer beverage technology to bacteria-reducing waste systems by InSinkErator, exhibitors showcased solutions that extend far beyond aesthetics. The focus is increasingly holistic, addressing sustainability, hygiene, air quality and long-term wellbeing. This shift also reflects broader demographic changes. Designers are now creating spaces that accommodate multi-generational living, ageing in place and adaptable lifestyles, ensuring that homes remain functional and supportive over time.

While technology dominated many conversations, design remained firmly at the heart of the show. Across the exhibition halls, brands presented environments that felt closer to curated installations than traditional trade stands. The Best Booth Awards celebrated those brands that successfully transformed product presentation into immersive storytelling. Kohler took the coveted Best in Show title, while Daltile, Fabuwood and Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry were recognised for their architectural approach to stand design. Cosentino was awarded Best Surfaces Booth, highlighting the growing importance of innovative materials in shaping contemporary kitchens and bathrooms. A notable design direction across the show floor was the use of warm saturated tones, organic textures and graphic surfaces, signalling a shift away from minimalism toward more layered and expressive interiors. Colour, craftsmanship and tactility are clearly returning as defining elements of residential design.

​“KBIS 2026 was, by every measure, an incredible success and a reflection of the remarkable vitality of the kitchen and bath industry,” noted Bill Darcy, Global President and CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “As KBIS continues to evolve and expand, it’s bringing even greater, lasting value to our members from around the world. KBIS is the can’t-miss event for the global kitchen, bath and home industry.”

The show also reflected the expanding international scope of the industry. New initiatives such as Kitchen & Bath Canada, DesignPoint, and the debut of the Homeworthy x KBIS LIVE Studio extended the event’s reach beyond the physical exhibition halls, enabling designers and audiences worldwide to engage with the conversations taking place in Orlando. For international visitors, programmes such as NKBA Global Connect continue to play an important role in fostering collaboration between markets and facilitating dialogue between manufacturers, designers and media across continents.

​“For Ballerina Kitchens, entering North America meant navigating a market that is far more diverse and complex than expected. Through the National Kitchen & Bath Association Global Connect Program, Ballerina gained access to valuable industry insights, market research, and connections that helped shape their strategy for the U.S. market… The experience reinforced something important: success in a new market is not just about products. It is about people, relationships, and shared knowledge,” noted agency representative Jeremy Parcels. “For international kitchen and bath brands looking to expand into North America, the NKBA Global Connect Program offers a powerful pathway to building those connections.”

If this year’s edition demonstrated anything, it is that the kitchen and bath sector is entering a period of significant transformation. Technology is becoming seamlessly embedded within the home, wellness is driving product development, and design itself is evolving toward richer, more experiential environments. As Bill Darcy observed during the show’s conclusion, the industry outlook remains strong, with KBIS continuing to deliver “meaningful connections that will help businesses grow.”

As the industry looks ahead to KBIS 2027 in Las Vegas, the momentum generated in Orlando suggests a future defined not only by innovation, but by a deeper understanding of how the spaces we inhabit can enhance everyday life. For those shaping the next generation of residential design, KBIS remains the place where those conversations begin.