KBB Show 2026

Here at Affordable Granite we like to keep abreast of new trends in kitchens and see what is new in our industry, so when we can, we attend the relevant trade shows. Last weekend I visited the Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom (KBB) show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Tauhoma kitchen display, showing the growing trend towards dark woods

The contemporary kitchens that were on display were generally combinations of natural woods in either reeded or flat styles or with an ultra-thin outside frame paired with dark painted doors. This two-colour look for kitchens often includes variations in texture as well as colour.

The Rot Punkt display, shown here, epitomises this look

Quartz Engineered Stone by Sempre (the new brand name for what used to be Cimstone) 

It is always good to see large pieces of the quartz options that we sell. We here at Affordable Granite recommend coming to view large slabs before they are cut rather than relying on a small sample.

Sempre had some great colours on display (as well as good wine and cheese!) . They have brought out a new Taj Mahal quartz which is a bit less yellow than their previous one. This kind of look is very popular right now – as is the real Taj Mahal quartzite that it is emulating.  Natural Taj Mahal Quartzite, though, is pretty pricey and, as with all natural materials, very variable. It is great that there are now some really good quartz/ engineered stone options for a more practical and affordable alternative.

Vadara also had a good display of quartz, with some unusual colours, inspired by the natural world. I particularly liked the Moon Valley by Vadara.

Lamar Ceramics

Lamar had this stunning Macchia Vecchia mitred island on display (foreground), but it was not all whites and lights. We ourselves are seeing more homeowners wanting darker stones again, and the Pietra Grigio (back of stand) is lovely, being just a little bit softer than a total black.

Appliances

There seemed to be an emphasis on making the free-standing American Fridge-Freezer a bit less bulky and a bit more built in. There were quite a lot of French-Style American Fridge Freezers – with freezer drawers at the bottom and double fridge at the top – a layout that many people find a bit more practical.

Sinks & Taps

Clearwater had some new Belfast style sinks on display. I love this practical and good-looking large main bowl and smaller half bowl, in a ripple-design apron-fronted sink.

Clearwater are also offering a new finish called English Bronze which would complement dark cabinetry perfectly.

Schock & 1810 also had a good display and what was really useful was an open view of their sink support system. These support bars can be used for any sink but are a really good option for heavier composite or ceramic sinks or really large bowl stainless steel sinks. It is a practical solution that looks  a bit better than using bits of wood or the shelf to manufacture support.

Finishing touches

Brassware is still a real mixture of warm brass colours in various finishes from highly polished to more antique-look brushed metals. Black finishes are also very popular.

All in all the KBB is always worth a visit and this blog is only just a taster of the whole day.

Naomi March 2026