2025 International Builder Show - Las Vegas

Last year, I attended the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas — one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the residential building and design world. While it’s often viewed through a builder or contractor lens, I attended as a designer: paying attention not just to products, but to the direction the industry is moving.

IBS isn’t about fleeting trends. It’s about what’s scalable, what’s being engineered, and what’s about to show up in real homes — not just show houses. What I saw confirmed something I’ve been feeling for a while now: design is becoming more sculptural, more layered, and more emotionally driven — without sacrificing performance.

Below are the key design shifts that stood out most.

Soft Meets Structured: The Balance of Hard and Soft Edges

One of the most consistent themes was the interplay between curves and structure.

Think:

• Arched doorways paired with straight, fluted millwork

• Rounded cabinetry faces offset by sharp stone edges

• Soft architectural curves grounded by linear brass or wood detailing

This balance creates spaces that feel welcoming and intentional — sculptural without being precious.

Wall-Mounted Fixtures Are Becoming the Standard

Another major shift: faucets and hardware moving off the sink and onto the wall — even in bedrooms and secondary baths.

Wall-mounted faucets and knobs:

• Create visual calm

• Make surfaces feel cleaner and more architectural

• Reinforce the idea of the sink or vanity as furniture

This approach elevates even small spaces and pairs beautifully with stone slabs, fluted backsplashes, and integrated lighting.

Floating Everything (And Why It Matters)

Floating cabinets, vanities, and millwork were everywhere — and for good reason.

Beyond aesthetics, floating elements:

• Make spaces feel lighter and more modern

• Highlight flooring and wall materials

• Allow for underlighting, which adds depth and warmth

When paired with stone, wood, or textured wall finishes, floating cabinetry creates a quiet sense of luxury without excess.

Metal Mesh + Smoky Mirrors: A New Layer of Texture

Cabinetry details are becoming more nuanced — and more tactile.

Two standout details:

• Metal mesh inserts in cabinet doors (especially bars and built-ins)

• Smoky or antiqued mirrors used as bar backsplashes

These materials soften reflections, add mystery, and feel collected rather than flashy. They also layer beautifully with brass finishes and moody lighting.

Brass Is Still Reigning — But It’s Warmer and More Intentional

Brass remains dominant, but it’s evolving.

Instead of high-polish or overly yellow tones, the brass I saw leaned:

• Warm

• Brushed

• Slightly aged

Used thoughtfully — faucets, hardware, lighting accents — brass now feels grounding and timeless rather than trendy.

Hand-Crafted Texture Is the New Luxury

One of the most exciting things I saw was the rise of hand-done, tactile wall treatments — including wallpaper where designs were literally sewn into the paper by hand.

This signals a move away from mass-produced perfection and toward:

• Imperfection

• Craft

• Artistry

Homes are becoming more personal — less showroom, more soul.

Lighting as Architecture: Underlighting & Backlighting Everywhere

Lighting was no longer just functional — it was structural.

Key takeaways:

• Underlit staircases that feel like art installations

• Backlit mirrors, shelves, and wall panels

• Rope lighting used subtly to highlight curves and edges

When done well, lighting disappears into the architecture and transforms how a space is experienced — especially at night.

Final Thoughts

The International Builders’ Show reinforced something I deeply believe: the future of design is about how spaces feel, not just how they photograph.

We’re moving toward homes that are:

• Softer

• More layered

• Rich in texture and tone

• Technically advanced but emotionally grounded

• 
  

These ideas continue to inform my work — and as I head to Maison&Objet and Paris Déco Off, I’m excited to layer European craftsmanship and artistry onto the strong architectural foundation I saw at IBS.

Good design doesn’t chase trends. It listens to how people want to live.