Five luxury materials to help high-end clients upgrade their spaces

Designers are benefiting from customers willing to invest more in design services, particularly higher-income clients who are actively seeking to upgrade their spaces with high-quality materials. Leverage these current pricing dynamics by learning about five exceptional materials that can elevate kitchen and bathroom designs for high-end clients.

The most recent Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI) from the National Kitchen Bath Association (NKBA) features several promising findings for designers. Perhaps the most positive of the quarterly report’s survey results has to do with an increase in “pricing power” that designers are currently enjoying.

Pricing power refers to the ability of a business to raise prices without reducing demand for its services or products. According to the NKBA, designers across the United States are seeing that their customers are willing to pay more for design services than they were before.

However, it’s important to remember that not all customer segments are the same. Designers surveyed for last quarter’s KBMI said that price-sensitive customers were actually less likely to spend, but higher-income customers more than made up for this decrease. This higher-earning demographic isn't just unfazed by higher prices, they’re actively looking to upgrade their spaces with higher quality materials.

That’s fantastic news for kitchen and bathroom designers. When it comes to creating spaces for high-end clients, attention to detail and quality craftsmanship are very important. Every element – from the layout to the colors and, most importantly, the materials – represents an opportunity to reflect luxurious and sophisticated style.

Bathrooms and kitchens are two of the most obvious spaces to implement high-quality materials. These rooms, more than others, provide a stage to showcase materials that exude elegance. To help take advantage of this trend, here are five original materials for bathrooms and kitchens that will leave a lasting impression on discerning clients.

Calacatta marble is a favored choice for high-end bathrooms and kitchens. A rare and expensive marble variety, it features a distinctive white background with dramatic grey veining that creates a stunning visual impact.

Calacatta marble can be used in countertops, backsplashes, or even as an accent wall to infuse a sense of timeless grandeur.

There’s a wonderful warmth inherent to Macassar Ebony wood. Its deep brown, almost black, coloring is interspersed with fine, golden lines. It somehow combines subtlety with an opulence that few other materials can match.

Macassar Ebony wood can be used for cabinetry, paneling or even flooring in both kitchens and bathrooms.

It’s nearly impossible for anything made of onyx not to be a focal point. The translucent stone comes in a spectrum of hues and possesses the unique ability to transmit light. The interplay of light and color in onyx can make any space sparkle.

Onyx is most often used in countertops and sink basins, but its natural glow also makes for captivating wall cladding.

Striking to the eye, soft to the touch, leathered granite offers the perfect balance between luxury aspiration and tactile practicality. This finish provides a textured surface that adds depth and dimension to any design, all while maintaining an air of refinement.

Leathered granite can be used on countertops, kitchen islands and even as a backsplash.

As an accent, few materials can compare to hand-blown glass. It immediately elevates the ambiance of any design for high-end interiors by infusing a sense of artistic charm. The individuality and craftsmanship of glass also resonate especially well with clients seeking one-of-a-kind, bespoke creations.

Hand-blown glass can be used in a variety of products, from intricately designed chandeliers to custom-made cabinet hardware and even mosaic tiles.

Designing for higher-income clients requires a keen eye for selecting materials that embody luxury, elegance and uniqueness. The five materials mentioned above – Calacatta marble, Macassar Ebony wood, onyx, hand-blown glass and leathered granite – each bring their own distinct characteristics that can transform bathrooms and kitchens into spaces of exceptional beauty.

By understanding the preferences of your clients and knowing how high-quality materials can be used in kitchens and bathrooms, designers not only have the opportunity to create breathtaking interiors that leave a lasting impression, but also take advantage of the current pricing power that they hold.

For more inspiration to fuel high-quality designs with premium products and unique materials, check out some of the winning entries in this year’s Cyncly Global Inspiration Contest.

To secure sales for projects that appeal to high-end clients, 2020 Design Live is the ideal software solution. Beyond enabling designers to use real products in remarkably lifelike renderings, 2020 Design Live has the largest collection of manufacturer catalogs in the industry. This empowers you to showcase the exact type of top-tier products with high-quality materials that cater to clients with substantial budgets.

No other software solution is better equipped to help designers close more deals and win more sales. To experience all that 2020 Design Live has to offer, try our 30-day free trial now.