With less than two months until the show opens its doors, kbb Birmingham reveals some of the biggest KBB design trends expected to make a splash in 2024. The sector continues to push the boundaries of design with new creative ideas and innovative products, a huge range of which will be showcased at the event. The increase in more sustainable solutions and technological advances are key themes which are driving consumer demand as well as supporting their changing lifestyle needs.

Bathroom Trends to look out for in 2024

By keeping interior design intuitive, we can make our bathroom environments look and feel harmonious through accentuated curve features, that are inspired by nature. By designing bathroom accessories and furniture with rounded edges and artistic curves, we can soften the bathroom for everyday living. Complementing these natural features with rich, earthy shades of rust, plaster, warm beige, and shades of green can further enhance the calm and sophisticated feel of the bathroom. Discover the new collections at the show from Acquabella (pictured above) and Roca, as great examples of this trend.

Through tactile finishes, consumers can step away from minimalism and add greater detail to their bathroom with slatted furniture, reeded bath panels, and fluted detailing on baths and basins. “Whether it’s through a vanity unit, wall panelling, vertically stacked tiles or details on the fittings themselves, texture is a key look to continue into 2024,” says Hayley Robson, Founder of kitchen and bathroom designers Day True.

Statement art in the bathroom in the form of bold furniture pieces or playful tiling can give the consumer more creativity through personalisation. Illustrative designs such as Ca’Pietra’s collaboration with one of its artists in residence Sasha Compton, push the boundaries and introduce something new into the bathroom.

In both the bathroom and kitchen sectors, sustainability remains a key feature in interior design projects as consumers are keen to make conscious choices. “It has never been so important to encourage consumers to make water-efficient purchases for their bathroom to reduce household consumption” says Tom Reynolds CEO of the BMA. Many bathroom brands are following suit, emphasising their consumer and environmental focus with water-saving fittings that greatly reduce water use, such as those from Nobili, Flova and Imex.

Kitchen Trends for the year ahead

We are seeing similar conscious efforts in kitchen trends with the perfectly imperfect kitchen, which adds a personal touch with reclaimed materials and second-hand pieces. By embracing the unique characteristics of old furniture, we can refresh its purpose and combine it with new solutions to keep the design fresh for years to come. This highlights another trend of using wooden furniture in the kitchen where the natural grain of the wood is showcased.

Homeowners are increasingly looking for creative ways of hiding spaces in the kitchen, whether to rid the room of clutter or create clever multifunctional storage solutions, such as those offered by exhibitor brands such as LochAnna and Rotpunkt (pictured top). Utility-first design can help as “with busy lives, clients want their kitchen to work harder than ever, so the design needs to incorporate everything from a laundry area, coffee station, built-in bar and breakfast cupboard to a desk and a place where dogs can be washed and kids can dump shoes and bags”, says interior designer Nicola Holden of Nicola Holden Designs.

Similarly, blended appliances can enhance the seamlessness of a kitchen in an open-plan living space. Brands such as Franke and Caple have designed discrete appliances to blend into the home and appear decorative whilst still maintaining their high-tech functions or energy-saving benefits. For a clutter free and minimalist aesthetic on kitchen worktops, check out the very latest trends in boiling water taps, such as those from Quooker, who will be launching new tap finishes to their versatile collection.

We can see many of these features accentuated by high-drama surfaces from brands such as Konigstone, Quartzforms, and Cimstone. Statement worktops and splashbacks with dramatic colours and veining are rising in demand, as they offer a wow factor in any design scheme.

The latest design trends will be on show at this year’s kbb Birmingham, taking place from 3-6th March 2024 at the NEC. With over 250 exhibitors and an audience of over 15,000 visitors over four days, the event is not to be missed. Register for your free kbb Birmingham visitor pass here.

For all the latest news, check out kbb Birmingham’s new WhatsApp Channel where visitors can access the latest show news and on-site updates.