While technology has caught the eye of designers and consumers alike when it comes to the development of new products for the kitchen and bath, beautiful, quality pieces that make a statement are still at the center of those designs. Functionality is key, but the look and feel of a product, and the way the design fits together visually, remains the main goal for a space.
While larger pieces often anchor the room’s overall design, it’s the complementary items that deliver that personalized feeling of home. But these elements – including faucets, fixtures, hardware and accessories – do more than look beautiful. They are ergonomically designed, exquisitely engineered and detailed for long life.
The Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association, based in Bethesda, MD, is a community of industry professionals dedicated to the manufacture and distribution of faucets, fixtures and other elements for the home, in particular the kitchen and bath. Each year, the DPHA honors new products in this arena through its Product of the Year Awards, which recognizes their uniqueness, design, functionality, innovation and technological superiority. This year, the association presented the 24th POTY Awards at its annual conference and product showcase, which was held in October 2025 in Houston, TX.
An independent panel of judges – all experts in the field of design and construction – evaluated each of the entries. The judges for the 2025 DPHA Awards included: Eliot Sefrin, founding editor and publisher emeritus of Kitchen & Bath Design News; Alena Capra, owner, Alena Capra Designs in Fort Lauderdale, FL; Eric Goranson, CKD, producer and host of “Around the House with Eric G”; Alissa Ponchione, executive editor at Hospitality Design magazine; Garrison Hullinger, founder and principal designer, Garrison Hullinger Interior Design in Portland, OR; Molly Switzer, founder, Molly N. Switzer Designs in Portland, OR, and Carol Kurth, principal, Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors in Bedford, NY. Award winners were presented in nine separate categories: Kitchen Faucet & Fixture, Bathroom Fixture, Bathroom Faucets & Fittings, Furniture, Accessory, Cabinet Hardware, Door Hardware, Engineering and Innovative Technology.