The Riverside Press-Enterprise
L atest flavors in kitchens
Remodeling trends include light colors, bigger islands and more
The 2024 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study came out recently, and I was eager to peek. I wanted to know what was cooking in kitchens not just because I like to keep up, but because my daughter and her husband are about to tackle a major kitchen renovation.
When Paige and her husband bought their first home together 18 months ago, they knew they wanted to ultimately upgrade the underwhelming kitchen. So they asked a designer to show them what was possible. The plan calls for a new kitchen with larger island with seating; upgraded, creamy tan cabinets with smart built-in storage systems; better appliances; and white quartz counters to replace the dark-speckled granite.
I’ve got news for Houzz. They didn’t need to bother with a survey. This couple represents pretty much what most remodelers want in a new kitchen.
Houzz, a popular site for home improvers and industry professionals, has published the kitchen trends study for 10 years, said staff economist Marine Sargsyan, who helped compile the study. This year, more than 3,400 U.S. homeowners — all either mid-renovation or just finished — responded.
“The beauty of the survey is that we don’t ask wishful thinking questions like, would you like more storage? Or a walk-in pantry? We ask, what did you actually do?” Sargsyan said.
Here’s what’s hot in kitchens today, according to the report:
KITCHENS ARE OPENING UP >> “We are back to open-concept kitchens that allow for more socializing,” Sargsyan said. Among respondents, 43% made their kitchens more open to other indoor spaces, up 5% from a few years ago. Of those homeowners who made their kitchens more open, nearly two-thirds (64%) removed a wall.
ORGANIZED STORAGE IS A PRIORITY >> Consumers continue to put function first, she said. Features such as cookie sheet organizers (55%), spice racks (44%) and organizers for cutlery (41%) and utensils (37%) each gained 3 percentage points in popularity over last year. These were all musthaves on Paige’s list, too.
ISLANDS ARE GROWING >> Confirming that the kitchen is the place to be, whether cooking, eating, entertaining or doing office or homework, the survey showed a strong trend toward bigger islands with seating. Among renovators, 42% added an island 7 feet or longer, up from 38% last year. “We don’t see as many islands shorter than 6 feet,” Sargsyan said.
TRADEOFFS ARE REAL >> What the report doesn’t capture, Sargsyan added, are the tradeoffs most projects require. A bigger kitchen, for instance, may mean sacrificing somewhere else, like having a smaller laundry room. Paige, for instance, loves her walk-in pantry but is giving it up to gain more counter space and more floor space around the island. She is counting on clever storage solutions to make up for the loss.
MOST SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP >> More than 4 out of 5 homeowners (84%) rely on professional help for their kitchen renovations. General contractors are the professionals most commonly hired (55%), followed by cabinetmakers at 35%. One in 3 homeowners hires a kitchen designer.
FOLKS STILL LIKE WHITE >> Light colors still reign, especially on counters. “We’re seeing fewer multicolored counters and backsplashes. Cream and white counters are the choice for 43% of remodelers. White cabinets also remain popular at 46%, followed by wood, whether dark, medium or light, at 25%. Interestingly, one-fourth of renovators made their upper cabinets a different color from their lower cabinets, often white above and wood below. Meanwhile, 46% opted for their islands to be a different color from their cabinets. Among those who did, blue was the top pick at 25%.
LAYER THE LIGHT >> Renovators recognize the sustainability and longevity of LED lighting, factoring it into 91% of projects. Recessed lighting was part of the plan in 3 of 4 remodeled kitchens; 69% included under-cabinet lights, and more than half (56%) included pendant lighting. Light dimmers are also on the rise, factoring into 47% of remodels.
COSTS ARE UP >> Like everything else, the cost to remodel a kitchen has been climbing. On a national level, the median price tag for a major kitchen remodel (meaning all new cabinets were included) was $55,000, up 22% over last year. For a minor remodel, the bill was $18,000, up 29%.
What’s out? Glass doors and open shelves are trending down as more consumers opt to keep their stuff hidden, which is probably a good idea.