The Future of Luxury Kitchen and Bath Appliances Will Be on Display in Las Vegas

As more homeowners look to add their own version of “luxury” finishes, appliances and the like in their residences, the category’s profile becomes even more important at what’s billed as the North American industry’s largest annual trade show in Las Vegas.

“Although the show has always been mid-to-high-end, we’re seeing more manufacturers create and elevate luxury lines,” said Brian Pagel, executive vice president of business development for Emerald Expositions, the company that produces the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show), running from Feb. 25-27.

Pagel says that this year’s show will feature a “luxury-inspired pavilion” that will have content and programming directly correlating to the higher end of the market. He hopes that it can empower the community and allow more designers to engage directly with the brands that are building higher-end products to satiate consumer demand.

“The demand for luxury products is growing as consumers increasingly prioritize investing in their homes and their everyday lifestyles,” said Julie Burns, executive director of appliance brand Monogram.

The company’s creative director, Richard T. Anuskiewicz, added, “We are encouraging homeowners to push the boundaries of modern design for the whole home, from the bathroom to the kitchen to the veranda.”

The activation is an example of how much luxury has grown with what will amount to a full buildout and “reimagining” of a luxury bathroom, kitchen and a one-off concept vehicle partnership with Lexus.

Outdoor cooking is another focus for Monogram, as well as for the show as a whole, according to Pagel.

“People want high-end cooking and high-end spaces,” he said.

Part of this burgeoning trend is for homeowners to ideate how interior spaces can flow into outdoor entertaining environments and how creature comforts more broadly translate into design. Pagel also notes it’s an extension of the conversation about “connected homes,” which is the next chapter of the “smart home” saga (Pagel says that the latter term has been “beat up” a bit and technology means something much more integral to the luxury home than it has in the past).

For smaller brands and those who previously didn’t have a U.S. presence, it’s an opportunity to get in front of buyers and trade in the most lucrative home design market. According to Pagel, the three-day event has worked over the last six years to grow the number of international brands showcasing, part of which includes helping brands understand all of the code requirements and regulations necessary to enter the American market. A show representative added that they expect more than 41,000 registered visitors and more than 670 exhibitors, including 200 from outside the U.S.

“Expanding into the U.S. is a natural step for us after successfully establishing showrooms in Europe and Canada,” said outdoor kitchen builder Capo-Cuòco founder Idan Eliyahu.

The Israel-based brand will show two full kitchen displays along with a sustainability focused collaboration with Belgian design studio Studio Segers.

Although concrete fixture producer Concretti Designs is based in Las Vegas, it will only be the brand’s second year showcasing at the event. Ty Arbely, the brand’s VP of sales, said that the first year was hectic from the moment doors opened, so they upgraded their booth for year two to support an expected larger crowd.

“It feels like the luxury market has changed,” he said. “‘Luxury’ is no longer just super high end—it’s also the DIYers and those who want something unique or different. We have our items in [residences from] tiny apartments to private islands.”

On a much larger scale, kitchen and bath fixture brand Kohler has a similar approach. Although the Wisconsin-based producer makes items across the price spectrum, its showcase next week will be highlighted by the continued shift for luxury design. Kohler will display a $5,400 smart toilet, an expansive design collaboration with visual artist Daniel Arsham and an ice bath with an estimated price tag of $15,000.

“Everyone is pushing up,” Pagel noted. “It hasn’t come at the demise of the middle market, but more in addition to [it].”

Via Mansion Global