Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2025 - 44

INDUSTR Y OUTLOOK
AARON ENFINGER
President-Elect of the
National Association of
the Remodeling Industry
Photo credit: Marshall Skinner
" Working in the trades
is not a vocational
consolation prize. It's
a great opportunity
- especially if you're
entrepreneurially
minded. You can build
your own future in any
way you see fi t; the
sky is the limit. "
Design elements in these spaces should require minimal upkeep.
Euscher noted that more younger homeowners are focused
on minimizing their carbon footprint, so they are opting for things
like beverage centers that provide chilled or sparkling water and
minimize the need for bottled water.
When it comes to how people want to use their homes, entertainment
spaces like outdoor kitchens and at-home bars are
must-haves.
" Anything that facilitates a more robust entertainment space
is going to be trending this year, " said Euscher. " A lot of homeowners
live alone, but they still have the desire to gather in their
spaces with friends and family. "
We are also seeing the need for aging- and living-in-place
options like a roll-in shower instead of a tub and appliance
controls that are easier to manipulate. Multigenerational living
is gaining traction in the U.S. and can also be seen as a solution
to the housing shortage.
" Aging people have changing needs, and it is important we
realize how much their environment can impact how well they
do, " said Euscher. " We need to pay more attention to this as
the population ages, and this presents a real opportunity for
designers and manufacturers to make it easier for people to stay
in their homes. "
By Chelsie Butler, Executive Editor, KBB
The Infl ux of Artifi cial Intelligence
When people in our industry hear the term " AI, " it is with a mixture
of curiosity, hopefulness and apprehension. It will affect
various segments in different ways - both positive and negative.
" AI will cause some disruption; some offi ce jobs, for example,
will not exist in fi ve to 10 years, " said Dietz. " But it is going to
make construction workers more productive, and wage growth
will accelerate because of those expected gains in productivity. "
For design professionals, AI can simplify the process and save
time creating drawings and choosing materials. But AI does not
have the ability to take over the human aspect of interacting with
homeowners and building a relationship. Euscher feels design
pros will benefi t from AI because tools have been developed
to automate routine tasks, leaving them to focus on the more
creative aspects of their business.
" If you think of it as augmented intelligence and not just
artifi cial intelligence, it's an additional tool for designers and
lets them shift their attention to more important things that only
humans can do, " he added.
What's Trending for 2025
In terms of design, health and wellness, sustainability, smart technology
and a resurgence of color top the list. Enfi nger says smart
technology is getting to the point where it's no longer theoretical.
According to Darcy, the bathroom is evolving into a sanctuary of
relaxation and rejuvenation, as the demand for spa-inspired features
continues to grow in response to the stresses of modern life.
44 JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2025
DAVID EUSCHER
Chair of the National
Board of Directors for
the American Society
of Interior Designers
Photo credit: Kurt Griesbach
" Uncertainty and
hesitancy have held
homeowners back on
moving forward with
projects, and this has
impacted designers
and contractors. I'm
hopeful we can set
aside our perceptions
and be more open
to moving forward
confi dently. "
Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2025
