Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2022 - 18

KBB SPECIAL SECTION
CLOSEUP
How Much More Clients Are Willing
to Spend for Custom Options
DECISION-MAKING AT THE PROJECT ONSET
Most of our respondents (80%) said they specify
storage and organization needs at the beginning of
a kitchen or bath project. This is because function
is becoming just as important - if not more important
- than aesthetics. Vanderhovel says doing this
up front shows preparedness and due diligence.
" When I interview my clients at the onset about
the way they want their kitchen or bathroom to
function and what can be improved, this helps me
determine where the money will be best spent and
where I could possibly pull back, " said designer
Meredith Weiss, president of Commack, N.Y.based
Merri Interiors.
Kaestner also explains that some cabinet enhancements
require electricity, which is something
that needs to be determined long before the electrician
visits the site.
MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
As storage and organization solutions help
make kitchens and baths easier to use, it's not
surprising that functionality trumped the list of
most important things to consider when choosing
those.
" I think everyone is looking for better function
and ease, " said Weiss. " This helps them use their
time better within the spaces, and when things are
well organized and put away, they are more clutter
free and clean visually. "
All factors ranked:
1. Functionality
2. Budget
3. Number of people using the space
4. How often the space is used
5. Square footage of the space
6. Product availability
spondents included aesthetics, brand, finish
and quality.
" Other " considerations written in by the re
NOTE
ON ABOVE These considerations are listed in order of importance.
Note that " Functionality " is more than twice as important
as the second choice, " Budget. " Aesthetics was cited frequently
among " Other " key considerations.
18
Prep. Cook. Zoom. And Even Homework.
" The past few years have clearly created a
need for more cross-functional use of the
kitchen. This means there are more meals
cooked at home, and at the same time, the
kitchen has been pressed into service as a
study area, part-time home office and even -
sometimes - as a 'Zoom' backdrop. So, we
see serious kitchen function and appropriate
work lighting being discussed earlier in projects,
as well as a focus on putting all the food
storage and meal prep mess out of sight
when not in use. Kitchens are busier spaces
than they ever were, but homeowners want
to have a clean, organized appearance
when other activities occur in the space. This
can be done by way of designing for more
cabinet storage and organizational options,
hidden spaces for trash, walk-in pantry
units and increased use of drawers with
organizational dividers. Indeed, drawers with
concealed undermount slides seem to make
their way into almost every kitchen these
days. Similar organization trends are occurring
in bathrooms, with more emphasis on
powering and safely storing portable electric
devices such as hair dryers and curling
irons. " - Daryl Nauman, Häfele America
Co. Account Manager - Kitchen & Bath
10%: 51% to 90% more
1%: Double the price
1%: No more
9%: 1% to 10% more
35%: 26% to
50% more
45%: 11% to
25% more
ABOVE Clients are willing to
pay a median of 23% more to
include customized storage
options in their projects.
/ MAY-JUNE 2022
Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2022

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