Kitchen & Bath Design News

JUL 2013

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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Product Trend Report By Elizabeth Richards With kitchens shrinking and the population aging, kitchen accessories and interior fttings that maximize space and accessibility are increasingly in demand – and there are a growing number of options at all price points. I nterior fttings make a kitchen function efciently, while acessories are the fnishing touches that make a kitchen complete. These products are critical to making the room look and function in a way that matches the needs and desires of the homeowner. Increased organization and fexibility in a kitchen space top this list of wants, according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. Additionally, items that promote the ability to comfortably use every inch of these spaces, from pull-outs and lazy susans to LED interior lighting, are on the rise. "Kitchen designers are attempting to help their clients take full advantage of every nook and cranny of their living boundaries," says Joey Shimm, director of marketing for Outwater Plastics Industries in Bogota, NJ. Storage aids and organizers ofer consumers many benefts, he says, including enabling consumers to recreate and utilize the architecture of their kitchen to its fullest potential. Daryl Nauman, key account representative for Hafele America Co. in Archdale, NC, says, "Even as kitchen budgets remain tight, consumers are looking to add function to their cabinetry with well-chosen accessorization. Pantry storage and organization seems to be the number one priority and area of growth." Each kitchen is used in unique ways by the individual consumer, and accessories and storage options must be fexible enough to ft individual tastes. "Every kitchen is diferent, but the idea is the same – maximize effciency while still keeping a clean, concealed look. Oftentimes, in order to accomplish this, some customization may be required," says Billy Peele, sales associate for Torrance, CA-based Doug Mockett & Company, Inc. Debbie Cannon, marketing services manager and DYNAMIC SPACE specialist at Blum, Inc. in Stanley, NC, agrees that designers are looking for accessories that allow options for customization. "What makes a kitchen truly unique is the individual storage requirements of each homeowner. Because of this, in addition to our ever-changing storage needs, adjustability in the planned organization products is very important," she says. Louis Brun, marketing manager, Industriel, for Richelieu in Montreal, QC, agrees. He believes people are looking for solutions that maximize hard-to-reach places, as well as organization and fexibility in drawer fttings. PRACTICAL PRODUCTS With a wealth of new products introduced in the market, there is an interior ftting or accessory for every need. Manufacturers ofer products that add to the overall functionality and comfort of a kitchen, from cabinet and pantry organizers to soft-close features, electrical add-ons and radiant foor heating. "Interior storage underneath the sink can be a constant struggle – cleaning solutions, soaps and other solvents drip, stain and The newest addition to Task Lighting's Angle Power Strip product line features tamper-resistant receptacles in a slim 1-1/2"x1-9/16" profle. The new strip meets 2008 NEC code and hides inside the face frame of cabinetry or under the lip of a countertop. Circle No. 165 on Product Card Accuride International's 'butcher block' slide is designed to carry a cutting block. The slide has a 110-lb. load rating and a lock-out feature to ensure a stable work surface. The bracket mount/disconnect allows the butcher block to be lifted of of the slides for cleaning. Circle No. 166 on Product Card The Magic Sorto system for drawer organization from Grass America includes trays made from stainless steel that are safe for food and hygienically approved, the frm notes. Individual components are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Circle No. 167 on Product Card WarmlyYours' electric Slab Heating Cables and Mats can warm cold concrete fooring. The system can be used in kitchens, outdoor kitchens, four-season rooms, garages, basements and other areas of the home. Circle No. 168 on Product Card July 2013 Vauth-Sagel's Recorner Maxx creates more storage space in cabinet corners by eliminating the central column. The round shelves are supported by a traverse that stretches across the entire carcass and the assembly of the vertical bracket is carried out in the interior of the carcass. The new solution is compatible with tall, base and wall corner cabinets, providing round 3/4 and 4/4 shelves. The ftting also permits height-adjustable shelf positioning. The unit is equipped with the Premea-Glassline wooden shelf program. Circle No. 169 on Product Card ForResidentialPros.com | 33

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