Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Kitchen Remodeling Costs Expected to Rise 10% Th”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
According to the 2019 Houzz Kitchen Trends Report, the popularity of farmhouse design in kitchen remodeling continues to rise. Among the 82% of homeowners remodeling their kitchen style this year, farmhouse and contemporary styles are almost equally popular.
However, contemporary style is trending downward each year. Transitional style, a mix of traditional and modern, remains very popular in kitchen design at 21%.
For countertops and flooring, engineered materials are being chosen over natural stone, and the variety of engineered materials is increasing. White continues to dominate the kitchen from cabinets to countertops and walls. Notably, with the rapid advancement of wireless and voice technology, the kitchen is transforming into the home's control center.
The report indicates that kitchen remodeling costs are about 10% more expensive this year. The average kitchen renovation cost is $11,000, with large kitchen (over 200 sq ft) renovations expected to cost around $33,000. Here are the key kitchen remodeling trends for this year based on the Houzz Kitchen Trends Report analysis.
Gray Cabinets
While white cabinets (43%) are the most used cabinet color, gray cabinets are trending upward each year. About 1 in 10 homeowners (11%) chose gray cabinets. Gray cabinet handles were matched with brushed or satin nickel (52%) hardware.
White Quartz Countertops
The popularity of white countertops continues to grow. One in three upgraded countertops was white. Granite countertops, which were the top choice for several years, continue to decline in popularity. Meanwhile, engineered quartz surpassed natural stone materials among updated countertop materials. For backsplashes, white was also the most chosen color, but at 35%, it was down from last year (36%). For wall color, gray was the clear leader at 31%.
Finish Mix and Match
More than half of homeowners (54%) said they mixed metal finish materials across fixtures and hardware. Meanwhile, 44% chose only matte nickel. Nickel is also popular among those who mix and match finish materials. Next, they chose oil-rubbed bronze or brushed/satin black finishes for door handles and lighting fixtures.
Engineered Flooring
Among the 69% of homeowners who updated their kitchen flooring, only a quarter (24%) chose natural hardwood, a significant decrease over recent years. In contrast, engineered flooring materials like engineered wood, vinyl, and laminate have become more popular than hardwood.
Appliance Materials
Nine out of ten homeowners (88%) upgrade appliances during a kitchen remodel. The most frequently replaced appliances are refrigerators/freezers (93%) or dishwashers (93%). Cooktops are also gradually gaining popularity.
Stainless steel still dominates appliance materials. In particular, black stainless steel is gaining popularity as an appliance finish. One in every upgraded kitchens is choosing black stainless steel.
High-Tech Additions
High-tech devices are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners upgrading appliances and faucets. More than half (57%) of upgraded faucets incorporate advanced technology including water efficiency, fingerprint-resistant coating, and touch-free activation. Other advanced features in the kitchen include wireless controls for appliances and home assistants. Appliances with wireless controls nearly doubled compared to the previous year.
The ranking for purchasing new appliances is TV (60%), charging station (50%), home assistant (31%), and wireless Bluetooth speaker (29%).
Aging in Place
The baby boomer generation (age 55+) makes up 52% of homeowners undertaking remodeling. More than a third of them (37%) said they need modifications for aging when remodeling their kitchen. This is lower than the figure for master bathrooms (56%). Modifications for aging mean making the kitchen larger, designing with an open structure, and replacing lighting, cooktops, wall ovens, touch-free faucets, and natural stone flooring. In contrast, only 21% of younger homeowners requested kitchen remodeling related to an aging generation.
Brick Pattern Backsplash Preference
Nine out of ten remodeling homeowners install a new backsplash. Ceramic or porcelain tile (55%) is the most popular choice, followed by natural stone (23%) and quartz (8%). The most popular backsplash pattern is the classic brick type, accounting for 54%. Next are herringbone (9%), grid (7%), and diamond (6%).
Cabinet Built-In Organizers and Drawers
Most new cabinets nowadays have special built-in organizers or drawers. The most popular organizer is the cookie tray (54%), and the most common special drawer is a pull-out trash or recycling bin (68%).
Shaker-Style Cabinet Door Preference
Among homeowners who replaced kitchen cabinets, 78% chose custom (41%) or semi-custom (33%) cabinets, similar to last year. Shaker-style cabinet doors remained the most popular at 57%, followed by flat panel (19%).
Source: Read the original article | Published: February 20, 2019