A new joint study from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS) and CEDIA provides a detailed look at how smart technology is reshaping residential design and construction, confirming that homeowners are the primary force behind technology adoption. Three out of four respondents said clients request technology integration, while only about half of designers and one-third of builders proactively recommend it.
The “Technology Integration in Kitchen, Bath, or Whole Home Report,” which draws on nearly 200 survey responses from designers, remodelers, builders, and integrators to capture adoption trends, barriers, and the path forward for collaboration, suggests a growing opportunity for greater education and awareness within the design community.
Budgets and Benefits
Projects that incorporate smart home systems dedicate on average 20% of the budget to technology, more than $41,000 for a typical whole-home job. Convenience and security were cited as the most important homeowner benefits, followed by energy efficiency, comfort, and entertainment.
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However, cost remains the largest barrier to adoption, with 86% of respondents naming it as a top challenge. Other obstacles include complexity, lack of understanding of benefits, and insufficient technical support. For designers, the biggest hurdles are product complexity and uncertainty about who to partner with for integration.
Familiarity With Integrators Still Low
Despite the rising investment, the report reveals low awareness of professional integrators among NKBA audiences. Only 32% of respondents said they were familiar with the term “integrator,” and just 14% had worked with one. For those who had, collaboration tended to occur across all project phases, from planning through final inspection, suggesting value when integrators are brought in early.
CEDIA CEO Daryl Friedman emphasized that bridging this gap will be critical: “Proper collaboration unlocks unique and innovative solutions tailored to every project and is shifting to become the new standard in home design—especially in the kitchen and bath.”
Current and Emerging Product Trends
The research provides a snapshot of today’s most requested features and tomorrow’s emerging opportunities:
- Kitchen: Lighting control (55% conversion from awareness to installation) and motion-sensor faucets (37%) are among the strongest performers. Looking ahead, smart countertops with wireless charging (77% see them as emerging) and connected small appliances are expected to gain traction.
- Bath: Heated floors (92% awareness, 50% installation) remain the most mainstream request, while smart shower systems and bathroom refrigerators are identified as emerging categories.
- Whole Home: Security systems, including video doorbells and surveillance cameras, are among the most widely adopted. Whole-home audio ranks as a top-four homeowner request, while newer categories such as smart seating and air quality monitoring are seen as growth opportunities.
Industry Implications
The findings highlight the importance of early collaboration among designers, integrators, and builders. Many respondents said they need an integrator but are not sure who to use, indicating that formal referral networks or trade association partnerships could help connect disciplines more effectively.
The report also suggests that younger generations, female decision-makers, and secondary homeowners represent emerging growth markets for smart technology integration.
When asked to look toward the future, 61% of respondents said integrated technology will be a “must-have” feature of home projects, rather than a “nice-to-have.” The NKBA and CEDIA plan to use the study to drive new education and training programs, helping both associations’ members position themselves to meet growing client demand.
The full “Technology Integration in Kitchen, Bath, or Whole Home Report” is available at NKBA.org and CEDIA.org, with free access for association members.
