Did you know that major kitchen remodels are on the rise? Hiring kitchen renovation professionals has jumped to 89% in 2021, its highest level in four years! If you are also in the market for a major kitchen remodel this year, be sure to check out Houzz’s Kitchen Trend Study for 2022. This report compiles findings from a survey of 2,380 U.S. homeowners who either recently completed a kitchen renovation or are in the planning stages with one. The 39-page report goes in-depth with many trends. We’ve summarized the biggest takeaways below for those crunched on time.
Let’s Talk Kitchen Countertops:
The study revealed that more than one-third of homeowners reportedly splurged on countertops (35%). The most common feature improved during kitchen renovations, countertops were upgraded by more than nine in 10 homeowners (91%).
When it comes to countertops, there are so many options! These options can get overwhelming since the material you choose not only impacts aesthetics but the functionality of your kitchen (not to mention your budget, too). Did you know that more than one in three (35%) of renovating homeowners who are upgrading their kitchen reported that they decided to spend significantly more than originally planned and “splurge” on new countertops? The D&B Elite team is here to help! Below are some of the most popular choices and some pros and cons to each to help you weigh your options:
Engineered Quartz
Although this material remains number one in choice for upgrading kitchen countertops, according to the Houzz survey “it dramatically declined in popularity this year” with only 42% of renovating homeowners choosing quartz (down from 51% in 2020). Quartz is an engineered stone containing up to 93% quartz particles and other materials. It is then shaped into slabs and bound with resins. Quartz was engineered to make a more adaptable alternative to granite and marble. It’s easy to see why quartz has been the #1 choice time and time again in this study, as its pros far outweigh its cons.
Pros: It’s nonporous surface resists staining and scratching, it’s available in a larger range of colors than granite, it’s easy to maintain and no sealing is required, it’s impervious to heat and acid, the slabs are uniform with no imperfections, DIY installation is possible, and it can be custom-fabricated into any shape or size
Cons: It is expensive and creates heavy countertops
Granite
Granite’s sleek and elegant look speaks for itself on why it remains the second preferred choice. Here are some pros and cons of this material:
Pros: Strong and durable, adds real estate value to your home, almost impervious to heat, almost 3,000 different variants and colors are available, and it’s nearly maintenance-free when treated with newer sealers
Cons: Very expensive material, not suitable for DIY installation, slabs may have imperfections, may crack if stressed / improperly installed, if you cut directly on granite your knives will dull quickly, and this stone is porous and requires sealing to avoid stains
Butcher Block or Wood Slab
Butcher block / wood slabs have rose in popularity this year (increasing from 10% to 12%). They create a soft, warm look that is currently trending. Maple and oak are the hardwoods most often used on countertops.
Pros: Incredibly long-lasting when properly cared for, you can sand and reseal this countertop material as needed, it is relatively easy to clean, and it offers a charming, country look in most kitchens
Cons: Fairly expensive material, it can be damaged by water and stains over time, knives can cut and scratch this surface, if the wood isn’t oiled and sealed frequently the wood may crack, and bacteria can become an issue if this material is not properly maintained
Marble
Since no two sheets of marble are entirely the same, each marble countertop is one-of-a-kind, which may explain why this natural stone is commonly used for countertops in kitchens. It is common to see a portion of a countertop, such as the baking center, reserved for marble due to its high price tag. Here are some other things to be aware of:
Pros: Waterproof and heatproof, adds to real estate value of your home, and is a beautiful stone with unique veining
Cons: Expensive material, DIY installation is not possible, marble is porous and stains easily unless sealed, it can be scratched, and repairs are difficult to make on this material
Let’s Talk Kitchen Cabinets:
Of the 94% of renovating homeowners who either replace all of their kitchen cabinets (65%) or partially replace the kitchen cabinets (29%) as part of their renovation, the majority of homeowners (76%) are choosing solid wood as the primary material of new cabinets. Among those partially upgrading cabinets, the percentage of homeowners refinishing cabinet exteriors jumped by 5 points from the previous year, to 65%. One in four individuals add some cabinets, while 23% replace only the cabinet doors. Cabinets with deep drawers for specialty storage, such as adding organizers for cookie sheets or trays, continue to be popular!
Let’s Talk Kitchen Appliances:
Appliances are the second most common feature that homeowners splurge on during their kitchen renovations (27%). Over a third of upgraded appliances include high-tech features (35%), up six percentage points from the previous year. The most popular kitchen appliance features are wireless and smart phone controls (26%), up eight percentage points from 2021.
When it comes to upgrading kitchen appliances, the study found that garbage disposals (52%) and beverage refrigerators (19%) are gaining popularity in particular this year. Nearly 1 in 5 renovating homeowners incorporated or plan to incorporate a beverage refrigerator (up 5% from last year) while 14% add or upgrade a wine refrigerator.
Let’s Talk Kitchen Islands (Because It Seems Everyone Is):
More than half of renovating homeowners (57%) either upgrade or add an island, and more than 1 in four homeowners (27%) upgrade an existing island, up by 3 percentage points from the previous year — a significant increase. Nearly 2 in 5 islands are more than 7 feet long, a significant increase from last year, indicating that islands in general are getting longer. Given the current work from home trend, it may come as no surprise that one in five homeowners (20%) say that a top activity they complete at their island following their kitchen renovation is work. Here’s a look at two of our favorite kitchen islands we recently completed:
Let’s Talk Lighting:
The top choice for upgraded light fixtures in 2022? Undercabinet lights (with recessed lights trailing just behind them). Pendant lights saw a 4% increase in popularity for 2022. We love the way these pendant lights complete the space of a recent home renovation we completed:
Let’s Talk Flooring:
What’s in style when it comes to flooring? Stained or unstained hardwood floor regained its #1 spot this year and vinyl/resilient flooring nearly doubled in popularity since 2019, taking the #2 spot away from ceramic or porcelain tile.
Let’s Talk Color:
White kitchens are IN. The study revealed that white continues to lead as the top choice for kitchen cabinets, backsplash and walls (41%, 40% and 32% respectively).
The report also revealed that gray is the most common alternative to white, with 27% of homeowners painting their renovated kitchen walls gray, 13% installing gray flooring, and 11% choosing to opt for gray backsplash. Homeowners looking to add a pop of color to their space tend to be drawn towards blue, black, and green for their kitchen island cabinet colors.
Let’s Talk Money:
The median spend for both major and minor kitchen remodels increased in mid-2021 by 14% to $40,000 and 25% to $10,000, respectively, compared to 2020. Likewise, the median spend for a major kitchen remodel of a large kitchen (250 SF or more) continued to climb for the fourth year in a row to $50,000, up $5,000 from the previous year. The median spend on a major small kitchen remodel (less than 250 SF) increased as well, up $5,000 from $35,000 in mid-2021.
Reach out to D&B Elite Custom today for a free consultation to see how we can make your home renovations a reality while staying within your budget.