The Modern Kitchen: Where Sustainability and Timeless Design Collide

By Krissy Rushing Tomlin

Kitchen remodels aren’t a frequent affair. Homeowners typically hang on to their kitchen cabinetry for 10 to 15 years, purchasing it once or twice during their lifetimes. Improvements in kitchen furniture design and technology are, therefore, likely to have occurred since the last time you were in the market for a new kitchen.

One big advancement comes on the sustainability front. As climate change worsens and energy costs rise, consumers are increasingly concerned with reducing their environmental impact. According to the April 2024 report “Sustainability In Kitchen & Bath Design” by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), more than half of surveyed industry pros report that sustainability is ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important to them. Forty-eight percent of industry pros stated they are integrating sustainable solutions into their designs ‘somewhat more’ than even just two years ago, and seventy percent said demand for sustainability in kitchen and bath design will grow in the next two years.

Timeless kitchen design and sustainability go hand in hand. When the kitchen begins to date, the sledgehammer comes out for the inevitable remodel, with most of those broken down kitchen cabinets ending up in the landfill. The longer a kitchen lasts, therefore, the less environmental impact it has. Classic color palettes, simple cabinetry, and tried-and-true space layouts all go a long way toward keeping your kitchen timeless.

Sustainability . . . Beyond the Buzzword

Nowhere do sustainability and timeless design better complement each other than in nobilia products. We had the opportunity to visit nobilia—the world’s largest manufacturer of European kitchen furniture selling 3,500 kitchens per day — at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) earlier this year. There, we got to chatting with the company about the need to accomplish both sustainability and timelessness, resulting in furniture that homeowners can feel good about, for longer.

nobilia eschews greenwashing in favor of walking the walk of sustainability. “We are really the trendsetter when it comes to sustainability in design,” says Marcus Haderlein, Chief Operating Officer of nobilia North America. “In Germany, there are rigorous and precise certifications for sustainability, many of which are internationally recognized.”

nobilia’s comprehensive approach to sustainability is embedded in every aspect of its operations. From the sourcing of raw materials to the end-of-life cycle considerations, nobilia meticulously considers each phase in the life of a kitchen.

In fact, the company holds nine awards and certifications dedicated to best practices in quality, environment and energy — from being the first kitchen furniture manufacturer awarded the “Blaue Engel” eco-label, to extensive materials testing in company-owned quality labs, to being part of the Climate Pact for the furniture industry since 2016.

nobilia is also the first kitchen manufacturer to receive certification by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) standard, which guarantees that nobilia’s wood originates from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. For every tree felled, a new tree is planted. All of nobilia’s suppliers must also have this certification.

“In addition to sustainable production, we want environmentally friendly supply chains, effective durability, and environmentally friendly transport. We use regional raw materials, for example, to minimize the effects of miles and miles of transport,” adds Haderlein. “Forty percent of nobilia’s chipboard material is recycled, and we have countertops made from recycled glass.” For example, the nobila Xtra Ceramic Worktops feature high recycled content, robustness, and durability, and have earned the Green Product Award 2022 for their resource-efficient design.

In 2021, nobilia produced approximately 65 kg of CO2 per kitchen. The company is implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy to further minimize its carbon footprint. They have also adopted a minimalistic approach to packaging. Wherever possible, they eliminate packaging, and for necessary packaging, they use closed-loop systems and reusable materials.

Bauhaus-Inspired Timeless Design

The company’s aesthetic goes far beyond the permanent frameless cabinets Americans know and love. For over 75 years, nobilia has designed European kitchen furniture in Germany following the principles of one of the most important drivers of 20th-century modern design philosophy — the Bauhaus. The Bauhaus became famous for its approach to design, which attempts to unify individual artistic vision with the principles of mass production and emphasis on function. Behind every nobilia component is high-quality German engineering and intelligent features for flexibility, efficiency, options and comfort. Minimalist clean lines deliver an ageless kitchen and concealed storage allows counters to remain uncluttered.

nobilia’s timeless products originate from its global nature. While nobilia presents a new collection yearly, the company avoids trends, favoring designs with universal reach. “We have a presence in more than 100 countries. Our selection must be somewhat international,” says Haderlein. “The megatrends in the kitchen industry are there, but at the same time, we have broad appeal. Where we might have a unique color, we will always have white . . . it’s the best seller. I’ve been with the company for 17 years and have seen many colors come and go!”

Lighting In and Outside the Box
Kitchen cabinet lighting is a trend that’s here to stay, and this is one trend that nobilia is capitalizing on. Where some manufacturers dress up their kitchen cabinetry with lighting for display on the showroom floor, nobilia builds lighting right into the design. “In 80 percent of cases, LED lighting is already integrated, whether in or under cabinets. There is a small channel for cable that comes out the back of the cabinet for connection. Our lighting also has emotional technology, so you can change it from warm to cold or dim as you see fit.”

On Trend: Design Continuity
Another trend nobilia is embracing is continuity of design from one room of the home to the next. “Often, our clients are not only purchasing kitchen furniture, but also bathroom cabinetry, living spaces, media rooms, and home offices. nobilia has expanded into all areas of the home. The principles are the same,” comments Haderlein. “This is a big advantage for our dealers and end-users, because the quality is exceptional in every room, and you don’t have to go to three different stores to buy your furniture.”

The Price Is Right . . . For Many
How much can you expect to spend? At the lower end, you have IKEA, and at the high end, Italian designers and the likes of Poggenphol. nobilia falls somewhere in between, depending on materials, accessories, lighting options, organization and size. “Because of the breadth of our products, we can sell to a very large portion of the market,” says Haderlein. “You can get nobilia kitchens for around $15K, but you can also get them for $50K or more. The beauty is, no matter how much you spend you get very high quality because that’s a big part of who we are as a company.”

The only thing more sustainable or timeless in the world of nobilia is the tenure of its employees. Because nobilia is a family-owned company, treating its employees as family is the way they do business. “We include employees in decision-making about their work environment and about specific decisions relating to their payment. When the company has success, the employees benefit financially. When the company turned 75, for example, every employee received €750.”

nobilia products are white labelled, so it’s best to contact the company directly to find a dealer. “We have more than 170 private labels, and in Germany alone, we have more than 80 different private labels,” says Haderlein. “We are the leader with more than 33 percent market share, so you could say that every third kitchen in Germany is from nobilia. Many people are buying nobilia kitchens, they just don’t know it.”

The nobilia North America corporate office is located in Miami, Florida, and the company also has dealers and showrooms throughout the United States. Find your nearest showroom and start a project with nobilia North America by visiting nobiliakitchenfurniture.com.

Ultimately, nobilia embodies the philosophy that responsible choices need not sacrifice style or functionality, nor do they need to be dramatically expensive. Through rigorous adherence to sustainability standards and certifications, nobilia exemplifies a holistic approach to eco-consciousness, while a commitment to timeless aesthetics ensures enduring appeal and versatility, redefining the way we approach kitchen design and redesign.