Choosing fixtures and personalizing finishes is a major perk for new construction home buyers. But in what should be the ‘fun part’ of purchasing a new construction home, buyers can often get analysis paralysis. Too many choices can overwhelm most people, so KB Home—No. 7 on the 2025 Builder 100—wanted to change that.
BUILDER caught up with Gena Kirk, vice president of corporate studio, to find out more about how KB has smoothed out the design selection process, plus what trends she’s seeing today.
In what ways has KB Home simplified the design selection process for home buyers?
That is a great question. At KB Home, we prioritize a personalized and streamlined home buying experience, we believe that a home should be designed by the person who lives in them, with a little help from our expert design consultants. We’ve spent the past five to seven years refining our product selection, reducing SKUs by 50% and standardizing choices across our divisions. This allows us to offer carefully curated product lines not only within a category but also across suppliers. Think, aligning our cabinet and LVP finishes, our countertop, wall and floor tile, and lighting and plumbing finishes, so that our home buyer cannot make a design mistake. While we do not offer collections, to simplify the process we provide intuitive packages like plumbing fixtures paired with matching accessory sets or complete electrical solutions. Of course, these packages are built on a solid foundation of data, reflecting the preferences of our home buyers.
In addition, on kbhome.com we provide a comprehensive overview of our studio process, a detailed personalization video, and a convenient studio locator. For those seeking immediate access, our studios are open seven days a week, with virtual Matterport tours available for remote exploration. Our Envision Online studio, accessible on community plan pages, further enhances the experience with a visualizer and wish list tool, allowing customers to actively participate in the design of their future home.
Can you share more on how KB offers the same finish options from coast to coast?
As previously mentioned, we’ve standardized most of our product offerings across all KB Home Studios. This strategic decision is driven by increasingly homogenized design trends, largely influenced by social media. Our data analysis confirms that 70 to 85% of product selections are consistent nationwide, streamlining our offerings. This standardization enhances purchasing efficiency for our scale and provides greater predictability for our supplier partners, mitigating potential supply chain disruptions and design studio reselections.
What are the top three trends you’re seeing in new-home design?
Looking at 2025 and beyond, I see several key trends. First, consumers are increasingly favoring brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through reduced carbon footprints, innovative eco-friendly materials, and natural or reclaimed elements. Second, well-being remains a priority, fueling demand for products that simplify life and optimize outdoor and multifunctional spaces. Lastly, design is evolving beyond pandemic minimalism toward a more expressive style, embracing color, handcrafted details, and the resurgence of vintage aesthetics.
Are there any trends or fixture/finish choices you’re seeing fade quickly?
The all-white kitchen and the pervasive use of gray in home design have been steadily declining in popularity. We’re have seen a shift towards warmer and bolder palettes for some time now.
If a builder has a large catalog of design options, how can they make selections a more efficient and enjoyable experience?
Remove the options that add complexity to your build, low-revenue options that consume significant home buyer decision-making time. Leverage data analytics and digital tools to enhance efficiency and customer understanding. Investing in these resources is crucial for streamlining operations and maximizing profitability.
