7 Min Read
The excitement around KBIS started before we even walked into the Orlando Convention Center.
The entire area was buzzing with builders, designers, remodelers, manufacturers, and other industry professionals from across the United States and around the world. Everyone had come to see what was next in residential and commercial design, and we were excited to experience it firsthand.
Companies created complete kitchens, full bathrooms, working showers, dramatic water features, exterior installations, and even two-story structures with operating elevators. Seeing products installed in full environments made it much easier to understand how they might look, feel, and function in a real home.
We attend shows like KBIS to evaluate products in person, ask better questions, and bring informed recommendations back to you. Our team brings decades of combined design and construction experience to that evaluation process. Learn more about BeeTree Homes and our team.
As we walked the show floor, we kept thinking about which ideas would translate well to homes in Ponte Vedra, Queens Harbour, Mandarin, and throughout the Jacksonville area. Keep an eye on our portfolio to see what we have worked on.
The overall mood of KBIS 2026 felt bold, colorful, innovative, and unapologetically maximalist. Of all the 2026 home remodeling trends we saw, the most memorable were the ones that paired standout design with thoughtful function.
What We Cover:
- Color and Personality Are Replacing Cool, Uniform Interiors
- Kitchens Are Becoming More Integrated, Hidden, and Highly Functional
- Bathrooms Are Becoming Personalized Wellness Spaces
- Texture and Mixed Materials Are Adding Warmth and Depth
- Indoor-Outdoor Living Continues to Evolve
- Specialized Spaces Can Be Practical Without Feeling Utilitarian
- How We’d Adapt These Trends for Jacksonville Homes
- Inspired by Trends, Guided by Real Life
Color and Personality Are Replacing Cool, Uniform Interiors
One of the clearest trends at the show was the return of color.
We saw bold appliances, painted vanities, sculptural tubs, and custom hoods in a mix of earthy tones, saturated hues, and warm finishes. Compared with the bright white and cool gray interiors that have dominated in recent years, the show felt warmer, more expressive, and far less uniform.
There was also less pressure for every surface and finish to match perfectly. Designers were combining color, texture, stone, wood, and metal to create rooms that felt layered and personal.
What Stood Out to Us
- Bold color used as a focal point
- Warm wood and natural stone
- Mixed metals and textured finishes
- Less emphasis on perfectly matched materials
- More personality in appliances, vanities, and fixtures
That does not mean every room needs to be loud. Some of our favorite displays used one bold element against a quieter backdrop. A colorful range, painted vanity, custom hood, or sculptural tub can bring personality to a space without overwhelming it.
For Jacksonville homeowners, we see this translating into a warmer, more refined version of coastal design: soft blues and greens, organic wood tones, natural stone, textured surfaces, and warm whites instead of stark ones.
One of the most appealing home renovation trends in Florida is this move away from overly themed coastal interiors. A home can still feel connected to the beach, water, and surrounding landscape without relying on obvious nautical decor.
A simple way to apply the idea is to choose one focal point for color, then support it with quieter, natural materials.
Kitchens Are Becoming More Integrated, Hidden, and Highly Functional
Kitchen design was one of the most exciting parts of the show because so many products focused on both appearance and everyday use.
We saw appliances becoming more integrated, storage becoming more specialized, and cabinetry taking on a more architectural role. The strongest displays were not just beautiful. They showed how a kitchen could work harder without feeling cluttered.
That balance between design and function is central to our design-build remodeling process.
What Stood Out to Us
- Panel-ready appliances
- Flush installations
- Statement ranges in custom colors
- Custom hoods in wood, metal, and stone
- Concealed appliance garages
- Hidden coffee stations
- Walk-in butler’s pantries
- Pop-up countertop features
- Customized drawer inserts
- Large islands designed for prep and entertaining
Appliances That Blend Into the Design
Panel-ready appliances and flush installations were everywhere. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances were designed to disappear into surrounding cabinetry, creating cleaner sightlines and a more furniture-like appearance.
Smart technology also continues to grow, but the best examples were practical rather than complicated. Preset cooking programs, voice integration, and intuitive controls were all designed to make daily routines easier.
We loved seeing technology used in a way that felt helpful. The most useful innovations are the ones that simplify cooking, cleaning, or entertaining.
Statement Ranges and Custom Hoods
At the same time, not every appliance is trying to disappear.
Statement ranges were one of the strongest visual trends at KBIS. We saw appliances in custom colors and mixed-metal finishes that were clearly designed to become the focal point of the kitchen.
Custom hoods were just as varied. Wood, metal, stone, and mixed-material designs gave homeowners a chance to introduce texture and architectural character.
A colorful range or sculptural hood can make a kitchen feel distinctive without requiring every cabinet or surface to be bold. Hoodsly stood out to us as a source for homeowners who want a more customized look than a standard stainless steel hood.
Hidden Storage and Prep Areas
Some of the most exciting features at KBIS were designed not to be seen until they were needed.
We saw appliance garages, hidden coffee stations, concealed spice storage, customized drawer inserts, and countertop features that rise into view with the touch of a control.
The video below shows some of our favorite concealed features.
Walk-in butler’s pantries and secondary prep areas also continue to gain popularity. These spaces can hold countertop appliances, serving pieces, pantry goods, beverage stations, and cleanup zones while keeping the main kitchen calm and presentable.
Bathrooms Are Becoming Personalized Wellness Spaces
Bathroom displays at KBIS felt less like collections of fixtures and more like complete wellness environments.
What Stood Out to Us
- Layered shower systems with multiple water features
- Digital controls that simplify the shower experience
- Smart toilets integrated into polished bathroom designs
- Bold, furniture-style vanities
- Sculptural tubs used as focal points
- Spa-like layouts designed around comfort and personalization
Layered Shower Systems
We saw showers with rainfall heads, handheld sprayers, multiple fixtures, and digital controls. These systems were designed to create a more personalized experience rather than a one-size-fits-all shower.
Freestanding Tubs and Vanities
Sculptural soaking tubs and furniture-style vanities brought more personality into the bathroom.
We saw bold colors, curved forms, brass details, and vanities that felt more like custom furniture than standard cabinetry. Willow Bath and Vanity caught our attention as a semi-custom option for homeowners who want more flexibility than a stock vanity.
Smart Bathroom Features
Kohler’s displays were especially impressive. Smart toilets and integrated controls were presented as part of a polished room, not as standalone technology.
What stood out most was that the best bathrooms did not feel overloaded with gadgets. They felt calm, considered, and tailored to the homeowner.
Texture and Mixed Materials Are Adding Warmth and Depth
Another major trend was the combination of natural materials with more industrial finishes.
We saw warm wood paired with sleek metal, natural stone used in more sculptural ways, and traditional materials refreshed through fluting, layering, and sharper architectural details. It created a balance of grounded warmth and modern contrast.
What Stood Out to Us
- Wood paired with metal finishes
- Fluted stone and cabinetry
- Mitered countertop edges
- Layered stone used as decorative art
- Natural materials combined with cleaner, modern lines
Cambria’s displays stood out for their fluted and mitered stone applications. Daltile showed tile used in highly decorative ways, while James Hardie created full exterior siding installations that made it easier to understand material combinations at scale. Kohler’s plumbing displays also showed how finish, form, and water can work together as part of the overall design.
Rather than using one finish everywhere, many of the strongest spaces assigned each material a clear role. Wood added warmth, stone brought movement, and metal created contrast. That approach made the rooms feel layered rather than busy.
Indoor-Outdoor Living Continues to Evolve
At KBIS, we saw outdoor living treated as a true extension of the home rather than a separate space. Cabinetry, beverage stations, durable finishes, and entertaining features were designed with the same level of detail as the interior.
That approach immediately felt relevant for Jacksonville homeowners, especially those in waterfront, beach, golf, and gated communities where outdoor spaces are used for much of the year.
Creating that kind of continuity is often part of a larger whole-home remodeling plan. Wide sliding or folding doors can help connect kitchens and living areas to lanais, pools, and outdoor kitchens. Coordinating cabinetry, countertop materials, hardware, and lighting can make the transition feel even more intentional.
When we think about home remodeling trends that Jacksonville, FL homeowners can truly use, this is one with lasting value.
Specialized Spaces Can Be Practical Without Feeling Utilitarian
One display that perfectly captured the balance between beauty and function was a built-in pet washing station.
It featured durable tile, coordinated fixtures, an arched surround, and a layout that solved a practical household need. It did not feel like an afterthought. It felt like part of the home.
That same principle can apply to:
- Laundry rooms
- Mudrooms
- Utility spaces
- Home gyms
- Hobby rooms
- Butler’s pantries
- Pet care areas
These spaces do not need to be overly decorative, but they should be thoughtfully planned. A well-designed utility room can reduce daily frustration just as much as a beautiful kitchen can improve entertaining.
The most helpful place to start is by identifying one recurring household problem. Do shoes and bags collect near the door? Are pet-cleanup supplies stored in an inconvenient spot? Are laundry products difficult to reach?
A dedicated design solution can improve an entire routine.
How We’d Adapt These Trends for Jacksonville Homes
One of the best parts of attending KBIS is seeing how far designers and manufacturers are willing to push an idea. Those bold concepts can be inspiring, but they still need to be adapted to the home's architecture, the client’s taste, and how the space will be used.
Trends We See Translating Well Locally
- Warm coastal colors
- Hidden storage
- Butler’s pantries
- Integrated appliances
- Mixed materials
- Spa-inspired bathrooms
- Indoor-outdoor connections
- Purposeful smart technology
Trends That Benefit From a More Selective Approach
- Highly colorful cabinetry across an entire room
- Heavily patterned countertops
- Multiple dramatic focal points in one space
- Technology that does not serve a clear purpose
- Design choices driven more by trends than daily routines
Our role is to help you decide which ideas have lasting value for the way you live.
Inspired by Trends, Guided by Real Life
We came home from KBIS energized by the creativity, craftsmanship, color, and innovation we saw.
We loved the expressive appliances, hidden features, integrated kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, layered materials, and thoughtful specialty spaces. More than anything, we were excited by how many products were designed to make homes more useful and personal.
But our biggest takeaway was also the simplest.
The best remodel is not the one with the most trends. It is the one that makes daily life easier and feels unmistakably like the people who live there.
Trends can introduce new possibilities, but they should never override function, comfort, or personal style. Our job is to stay informed, bring fresh ideas to the table, and help each client decide which ones truly belong in their home.
Planning a kitchen, bathroom, or whole-home renovation in Jacksonville? Let’s talk about which of these ideas could make your home more functional, personal, and enjoyable.
