<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2piQ5X_1GoGcKyk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2piQ5X_1GoGcKyk00" width="1920" height="1080" >BETHLEHEM, PA — Market conditions are “slowly improving,” although kitchen and bath professionals report that the economic health of the industry, as measured in market growth, has been relatively flat over the past year, according to the 3Q26 Kitchen &amp; Bath Market Index (KBMI) Report, a quarterly market analysis conducted by the National Kitchen &amp; Bath Association and John Burns Research and Consulting.As in other recent KBMI reports, consumer uncertainty (53%) was most frequently cited by kitchen and bath professionals as the most significant inhibitor of market growth. Rising building costs and tariffs/trade issues were each cited as major headwinds by 44% of respondents, while nearly one-third (30%) of those surveyed said the skilled-labor shortage also remains a key growth constraint. Findings were based on a survey of some 500 NKBA members in four key segments: design, building and remodeling, retail, and manufacturing, according to the Bethlehem, PA-based NKBA.“It’s encouraging to see even modest expansion in the face of these uneven market conditions,” said NKBA global president &amp; CEO Bill Darcy. “Higher prices and persistent consumer uncertainty are difficult barriers to overcome, but our industry continues to adapt and leverage growth opportunities when and where they’re available.”Among other findings of the third-quarter report:<ul><li>Design Sector Struggles to Revive: Surveyed designers reported that sales declined -2% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026, and project completions fell 4%. Nearly one-third of design firms reported trade-downs to lower-grade products.</li><li>Tariffs are Impacting Pricing: Kitchen and bath firms report that their pricing rose 5.1% year-over-year on average, “indicating that tariff impacts on key products are again rising.” Builders and remodelers said they expect to pass along higher costs by raising prices most sharply, while designers and retailers project more modest increases.</li><li>Luxury Projects Keep Advancing: In a continuing trend, overall market demand is largely being driven by luxury projects, as mid-range clients postpone major remodeling efforts, or trade down. A significant percentage of spending is resulting from repairs by homeowners who planned and saved – and are remaining in their current home because of years-old low mortgage rates.</li></ul></div></body>

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BETHLEHEM, PA — Market conditions are “slowly improving,” although kitchen and bath professionals report that the economic health of the industry, as measured in market growth, has been relatively flat over the past year, according to the 3Q26 Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI) Report, a quarterly market analysis conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and John Burns Research and Consulting.

Market Seen ‘Improving,’ Although Growth Reported Flat

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BETHLEHEM, PA — Market conditions are “slowly improving,” although kitchen and bath professionals report that the economic health of the industry, as measu

Market Seen ‘Improving,’ Although Growth Reported Flat

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