The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry, in partnership with Cosentino Group, welcomed hundreds of designers, retailers and industry professionals to its newly reimagined Design Hub at Broad Hall during High Point Fall Market. Designed by High Point-based Barbour Spangle Design, the immersive show house anchored five days of discovery and inspired conversations.

"The kitchen and bath industry has become central to High Point Market, and the whole-home approach is broadening the role of the designer," said Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of NKBA. "That's why we partnered with the High Point Market Authority on a joint study: as industry connectors, we can help designers and specialized industry professionals turn those shifts into opportunities."

Whole-Home Design Study Opens Market
Setting the scene for this year’s market, NKBA and the High Point Market Authority (HPMA) presented the first keynote at the High Point Theatre. Moderated by Business of Home Editor in Chief Kaitlin Petersen, Darcy and HPMA President & CEO Tammy Covington revealed findings from the Kitchen, Bath and Whole-Home Design Report, conducted jointly by the two organizations. The presentation, "Evolution of the Home: The Consumer Shifts Reshaping Design & What It Means for Your Business," explored the evolving relationship between kitchen and bath professionals, interior designers and the home furnishings industry.

It revealed the line between disciplines is blurring: 56% of NKBA designers already design entire homes, while roughly three in four High Point Market designers already design kitchens (74%) and baths (75%). The study also found that three in four designers in both groups expect to collaborate more over the next three to five years, with multi-room and whole-home projects already involving 10 or more types of professionals on average. The overall takeaway is that the future of residential design won’t be defined by one room; it will be defined by the people who bring the whole home together.

A New Kind of Show House
Barbour Spangle's design for Broad Hall transformed the showroom into an immersive, fully realized show house where kitchen and bath products work alongside furnishings, lighting and color. Guests moved through a curated residential journey in which each space was created to evoke a distinct emotion and environments felt lived-in, expressive and deeply engaging.

The experience began with a bold, sculptural arrival before revealing a moment of discovery in the kitchen, where an integrated appliance wall from BlueStar offered a sense of surprise, and Fabuwood cabinetry concealed elements such as a hidden pantry. The speakeasy-inspired entertaining space anchored the showroom both socially and visually, with pops of bold colors and eye-catching metallic fixtures from Newport Brass. The statement finishes continued into an espresso bar and scullery, where Miele coffee and kitchen appliances helped visitors envision the trend of dedicated work zones and beverage stations. Cool blues made a splash in the designated wet bar, showcasing a sink and faucet from BLANCO and colorful refrigeration from True Caliber.

A wellness-driven bath featured new vanities from James Martin Vanities and an array of spa-inspired shower head and spray fixtures from Newport Brass, highlighting the evolution of baths as sanctuaries. From the bath, guests moved through to an elevated utility space where BLANCO, Cabinet Joint, Kichler and LG Signature reimagined laundry as a designed experience rather than a back-of-house function. The outdoor patio served as a venue for captivating conversations throughout the weekend, anchored by outdoor kitchen products from Kalamazoo, Urban Bonfire, and True Caliber with furniture from Brown Jordan. Throughout, the show house featured surfaces from Cosentino, lighting from Maxim Lighting and Kichler, and wall color from The Sherwin-Williams Company.

The Kitchen Takes Center Stage
The NKBA presented a series of panels during the weekend to analyze key findings from NKBA’s newly released 2027 Kitchen Trends Report. Brand partners and industry-leading designers discussed the evolution of kitchen design and the real-world application for customers and clients. Conversations covered the kitchen's growing role as the emotional and functional heart of the home, how personality and color make kitchens feel custom, and how lighting affects mood and well-being. They also looked at why function has become a marker of luxury, and how prep, cooking and cleanup zones are being rethought. Panelists pointed to “The Purpose-Built Kitchen,” reimagined layouts, and personal splashes of color as defining shifts for 2027.

NKBA reunited its 2026 NKBA Design Council, Bobby Berk, Mandy Cheng, and Nathan Orsman, at High Point Market to spotlight the annual report over “Cocktails and Conversation” on Sunday evening, with a champagne toast sponsored by Newport Brass. Reviewing themes from the 2027 Kitchen Trends Report, the Design Council and audience members played “spec it or skip it,” sharing their personal takes on design choices from mixed metals to open shelving. Demonstrating that trends are an industry tool rather than a rulebook, the group discussed how they are seeing kitchens and baths evolve into ultra-personalized workrooms.

Bath, Business and Community
Looking ahead to NKBA’s annual Bath Trends Report, a Saturday morning panel brought together brands and designers leading bath innovation to discuss longevity in bath design, from materials and colors to navigating quickly-changing trends and client expectations. Additionally, Christi Barbour of Barbour Spangle Design and Vicky Serany of Southern Studio Interior Design took to the stage for a conversation around “Building Your Dream Design Business,” sharing learnings from their personal experiences.

The Sherwin-Williams Company presented its Colormix® Trend Forecast 2027, "Rewild," and also hosted a group of approximately 100 students at Broad Hall, educating and inspiring the next generation of kitchen and bath designers. Maxim Lighting toasted to its newly launched collection with Taniya Nayak, who met with attendees following a Monday morning panel. A Saturday evening reception filled the Broad Hall terrace, as guests from across the industry toasted to a new Market full of design innovation and inspiration.

Toasting to the people and partnerships shaping the future of whole-home design, NKBA hosted an invite-only “Gallery Gathering” dinner at HQ & The Gallery on Sunday evening. Sponsored by Newport Brass, Miele and Maxim Lighting, the evening offered guests an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate the innovation and community that continue to drive the industry forward.

NKBA will return to Broad Hall for High Point Spring Market, April 10-14, 2027. The 2027 Kitchen Trends Report and the Kitchen, Bath and Whole-Home Design Report findings are available at NKBA.org.