Kitchen Bath Business – May-June 2026

Kitchen Bath Business – May-June 2026

Summary

Elizabeth Lord-Levitt, CMKBD, of Denver received the NKBA Educator of the Year Award at KBIS 2026—the news leads the May/June 2026 Kitchen & Bath Business. Chelsie Butler's Editor's Note "Peak Season" sets the tone: green is the emerging residential color, tactile tile designs dominated Coverings and Salone del Mobile, and modular outdoor kitchens are the next category to watch. The issue's cover theme "Design for Living & Aging in Place" threads through multiple features.

The CloseUp on CABINETRY section (page 26) examines the latest trends in kitchen and bath cabinetry, from mixed-material fronts to soft-close hardware standardization. Wellness Movement (page 12) tackles design for the neurodivergent client—a rare and practical angle. Luxury Design (page 10) argues that high-end plumbing fixtures pay for themselves through longevity and client satisfaction. The NKBA Feature (page 56) profiles the Innovative Showroom Awards winners, giving concrete merchandising ideas. Sustainability (page 14) honors two eco-friendly brands with measurable environmental commitments.

Regulars include Happenings (NKBA chapter news), What's Hot (new product picks), Favorites (editor-curated finds) and Last Word. The Before & After feature (page 44) documents a kitchen transformation from cold and dark to timeless and elegant, with before-and-after cost breakdowns. Editor Butler reminds readers that the 2026 KBB Awards submissions close July 2 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

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Content Guide

▸ Industry / Education

p.8 · Happenings — NKBA Celebrates Its 2026 HOF Inductee & Educator of the Year
Elizabeth Lord-Levitt of Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design LLC receives the NKBA Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by Brizo. The piece also covers NKBA's Hall of Fame inductee, Student Mentor Program updates and W2W conference highlights. Use the award profiles to identify potential guest speakers for your next industry event.

▸ Wellness / Design Strategy

p.12 · Wellness Movement — Design for the Neurodivergent Client
This article outlines spatial adjustments—reduced glare, consistent material palettes, acoustic zoning—that make kitchens and baths functional for clients with autism, ADHD or sensory-processing differences. A side-by-side checklist contrasts standard vs. neurodivergent-friendly specs. Apply the checklist to your next residential project before finalizing lighting and flooring selections.

▸ Products / Cabinetry

p.26 · CloseUp — The Latest Craze in Today's K&B Cabinetry
Mixed-material fronts (wood + metal + glass), integrated LED rail systems and full-extension soft-close hardware are now baseline expectations rather than upgrades. The article includes price-point comparisons across semi-custom, custom and luxury lines. Specify full-extension drawers as standard on all cabinets over 18 inches wide.

▸ Business / Operations

p.18 · Industry Challenges — Finding Qualified Employees & Contractors
KBB surveys design firms across five states on hiring pain points. Responses cite a 12-week average timeline to fill a lead designer position and a shortage of experienced tile installers. The article lists three apprenticeship models and two referral-incentive structures. Structure your installer bonus around quality scores rather than speed.

▸ Design / Case Study

p.44 · Before & After — Kitchen Goes from Cold & Dark to Timeless & Elegant
A dated 1990s kitchen with dark oak cabinets and fluorescent lighting gets a full rework: matte-white cabinetry, marble-look quartz counters and layered under-cabinet lighting. The budget breakdown shows $38,000 in total spend, with cabinetry accounting for 42%. Photograph every electrical and plumbing rough-in before drywall goes up.

▸ Trends / Demographics

p.32 · Trends — Design for Aging & Living in Place
Five design strategies—barrier-free showers, lever-handle faucets, contrasting counter edges, slip-resistant flooring and adjustable-height workstations—are presented with NKBA survey data showing 67% of homeowners over 55 plan to renovate for aging in place. Install blocking for grab bars during initial construction, not as a retrofit.

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Editor's Take

This is KBB's strongest mid-year issue in recent memory. The neurodivergent-design piece (page 12) and the aging-in-place trends section (page 32) give designers immediately actionable content. The cabinetry CloseUp is thorough but reads like extended product roundup rather than independent analysis. Weakest section: the Luxury Design piece on page 10 leans too heavily on brand quotes without enough critical comparison. Ad density is moderate—about one full-page ad every four pages—but several spreads are for national brands (Cambria, Hafele, Karran) that KBB readers already know. Best suited for kitchen and bath designers who specify products daily; less useful for architects or builders.

Strengths
• Neurodivergent design checklist fills a genuine industry gap
• Before & After budget breakdown is unusually transparent
• Aging-in-place data from NKBA grounds the trend section

Weaknesses
• Luxury Design piece lacks independent product comparisons
• Cabinet CloseUp reads as extended advertorial

Verdict: Recommended — Solid mix of actionable design guidance and industry intelligence for practicing K&B professionals.

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