The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) – the leading association for the kitchen and bath industry and owner of the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) – has released its midyear 2022 Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook, and a sunny forecast could be bright for technology pros working in the sector too. 

Based on some notable takeaways highlighted by the organization, it the opportunity for custom integrators to potentially gain sizable projects focusing on kitchen and bath spaces, whether directly for customers or partnering with interior/kitchen & bath designers, remains strong heading into the second half of 2022.

While both inflation and mortgage rate increases have impacted the segment, the overall annual forecast still represents a double-digit increase over 2021, according to the NKBA.   

“This new Market Outlook report provides revised market size estimates and 2022 forecasts in the Kitchen and Bath Industry, as well as gauges the economic and housing market shifts that continue to impact our market,” says Bill Darcy, CEO of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

“Despite some economic headwinds, kitchen and bath remodeling demand remains strong. Residential kitchen and bath spending is anticipated to grow by 16% to $189 billion in 2022.”

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NKBA 2022 Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook Midyear Report Key Takeaways

Following are some of the midyear outlook’s top takeaways in brief, according to the NKBA, many of which may signal positive signs for CE pros who work with interior designers:

• Resilient Revenues. Full-year kitchen and bath spending is expected to reach $189 billion, 16 percent higher than 2021, yet $10 billion lower than the initial 2022 forecast.
• New Construction Strength. New construction is projected to represent over 60 percent of industry revenues, driven by a record number of new home builds.  The report forecasts 21 percent YOY new construction growth, unchanged from the initial report in January.
• Larger Projects Gaining Momentum. Higher-end activity has been revised upward due to rapid home appreciation and client movement on deferred projects. With upwards of 20% gains, mid-range projects are expected to register the biggest YOY increases based on growth in new construction. Lower-end work projection has been sharply scaled back due to higher inflation causing many to put their projects on hold.
• Numerous Remodel Drivers. Nearly three in four homeowners are locked into mortgage rates below 4%, making it more cost-effective to remodel than to move. This, along with record-high homeowner equity per household and a high number of homes in prime remodeling years, bodes well for the second half of 2022.
• Normalization of Housing Starts/Completions. While builders are working through the substantial backlog of homes in various stages of completion, the number of new housing starts are falling due to high mortgage rates and home prices. This combination has led to a shrinking gap between home starts and completions.
• Recession Concerns. The Fed has tried to control inflation with three interest rate hikes this year, the latest in June. Of note: The last three times the Fed initiated a cycle of rate hikes, a recession ensued within a year.

“We anticipate moderate declines in kitchen and bath spending in the event of a recession next year,” adds Darcy. “Our view is informed by improved housing and consumer fundamentals and a likely less severe recession, relative to recent history if one were to occur.”

The KBIS show, co-located with the International Builders’ Show as part of Design & Construction Week, enjoyed a successful return as an in-person event this past February, drawing 70K attendees in Orlando, Fla.

Integrators looking to explore kitchen and bath technologies or cultivate partnerships in the space can mark Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2023, in Las Vegas for the next KBIS staging.

Integrators can also reach out to any of the NKBA’s 71 chapters across the U.S. and Canada to learn more about how to get involved and work on those designer relationships.

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