Entering 2025, serious questions emerged about the past, current and future trends that have been taking place in the kitchen and bath industry. The answer is becoming clearer as a notable and organic shift is beginning to unfold, happening seamlessly at our fingertips and right before our eyes.

The remodeling industry has experienced a recent decline in demand following peak levels. As we transitioned into 2025, the mid-term effects of a new administration on the economy, political discussion of tariffs, high lending and housing costs, have all resulted in a higher percentage of likelihood of staying in your home longer, at least for the immediate future.

Often, significant cultural or financial adjustments in the market will lead to noticeable shifts in trends or even the emergence of new trends. Additionally, changes in consumer preferences and buying behaviors post-COVID have surfaced and perhaps evolved over the last 3 years. Post COVID, immediate shifts towards health and hygiene were prominent. These continue to hold some significance though naturally, these trends are now progressing and evolving further. In fact, this evolution is now pushing more focus and attention to an emerging and future K&B trend I would call, “pleasing the senses.”

Understanding the evolution of design trends is essential, as they generally follow a trajectory consisting of five significant stages: Introduction, Rise, Peak, Decline and Obsolescence. It remains clear that there are many COVID influenced trends evolving into the late stages, while other elements still do remain in peak focus.

The well-being trend continues to thrive, encompassing mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being. An intriguing development within this trend is the evolving approach to achieving it. There is a clear indication that end-users harbor an innate, yet unspoken desire to engage with bathroom products that stimulate and engage with each of their human senses.

In line with the current trend of transforming the bathroom into a sanctuary from the chaos of daily life, individuals seek to elevate their experience by engaging with sensory stimuli. Through sight, sound, taste, smell and touch, users are actively exploring to acquire and relish in the sensory elements offered by the products in their bathrooms.

The emerging trend of pleasing the senses, or multiple senses, within product development and design has not typically been the primary focus for most manufacturers, at least not on a larger, holistic scale. However, this is changing in part due to the ongoing advancements in technology and design innovation. This is a wonderful emerging trend and truly now is the opportune moment for this trend to flourish.

By incorporating elements that stimulate all senses, such as visual design and finish aesthetics, sound design of a product or even the process for how a product might focus on water delivery sound, aromatic experiences and integrations into product solutions, and tactile sensations in product materials, manufacturers can now create the perfect combination of developed solutions that engage with each of the key human senses. This in turn creates a complete emotional, physical, and utilitarian benefit to the product. Smart innovations and technologies are paving the way for even more future developments that will continue to enhance sensory experiences in product design, like never before.

Consumers have demonstrated a strong inclination to purchase products, even when not essential, driven by the desire to meet both their functional requirements and emotional aspirations. Multi-sensory marketing strategies have long been a staple in the marketing world. For instance, offering free food samples at a nearby grocery store directly appeals to customers' sense of taste, effectively influencing their purchase decisions right at the point of sale.

The ability to develop products that interact and stimulate all five human senses enabling the consumer the ability to create a luxurious space to escape both emotionally and physically is here. The natural desire for this solution by the consumer is also here and I believe we are only at the very early stages of what could be an impactful and industry-changing trend.

The potential to craft products that engage all five human senses, offering consumers a chance to create a lavish sanctuary for emotional and physical retreat, has arrived. The innate consumer appetite for such sensory provoking innovations signals the dawn of a transformative trend with vast potential for industry evolution in the coming years.