2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study
Houzz Research
January 11, 2022
Findings from a survey of 2,380 U.S. homeowners on Houzz about their recent or planned kitchen renovation projects.
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Homeowners Prioritize Countertops: 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%). Engineered quartz and granite are the most popular countertop materials (42% and 24%, respectively). Of the more than one in five renovating homeowners who select an island countertop material that contrasts from their primary countertops, over one-third choose butcher block or wood slab (35%).
Spend on Kitchen Remodels Continues to Climb: The median spend for both major and minor kitchen remodels increased in mid-2021 by 14% to $40,000 and by 25% to $10,000, respectively, compared to 2020. The median spend for a major kitchen remodel of a large kitchen (250 square feet or more), continued to climb for the fourth year in a row, to $50,000, up from $45,000 the previous year. The median spend on a major small kitchen remodel (less than 250 square feet), increased as well, up to $35,000 in mid-2021 from $30,000 in mid-2020.
Pro Hiring Reaches New Heights: Overall hiring of kitchen renovation professionals has jumped to 89% from 85% in 2020, its highest level in four years. General contractors continue to be hired the most frequently (53%), up significantly by four percentage points from 2021. Cabinetmakers, kitchen designers and interior designers are also being hired more frequently than last year.
Appliances Get a Boost from High-Tech Features: Appliances are the second most common feature that homeowners splurge on during 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.
Islands Are Where We Work From Home: Following a kitchen renovation, one in five homeowners say that a top activity at their island is work (20%), up four percentage points from 2021. Homeowners are making space for this activity with nearly two in five islands stretching more than 7 feet in length (39%), up five percentage points from last year. Homeowners are also making the space brighter with the vast majority installing new light fixtures above islands (92%).
White and Gray Prevail as Top Colors: White continues to lead as the top choice for kitchen cabinets, backsplash and walls (41%, 40% and 32%, respectively). Gray is the most common alternative to white, with 27% of renovating homeowners painting the kitchen walls gray, 13% installing gray flooring, and 11% opting for a gray backsplash. That said, blue, black and green bring visual interest to the space through contrasting kitchen island cabinet colors (26%, 10% and 5%, respectively).
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Homeowners Prioritize Countertops: 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%). Engineered quartz and granite are the most popular countertop materials (42% and 24%, respectively). Of the more than one in five renovating homeowners who select an island countertop material that contrasts from their primary countertops, over one-third choose butcher block or wood slab (35%).
Spend on Kitchen Remodels Continues to Climb: The median spend for both major and minor kitchen remodels increased in mid-2021 by 14% to $40,000 and by 25% to $10,000, respectively, compared to 2020. The median spend for a major kitchen remodel of a large kitchen (250 square feet or more), continued to climb for the fourth year in a row, to $50,000, up from $45,000 the previous year. The median spend on a major small kitchen remodel (less than 250 square feet), increased as well, up to $35,000 in mid-2021 from $30,000 in mid-2020.
Pro Hiring Reaches New Heights: Overall hiring of kitchen renovation professionals has jumped to 89% from 85% in 2020, its highest level in four years. General contractors continue to be hired the most frequently (53%), up significantly by four percentage points from 2021. Cabinetmakers, kitchen designers and interior designers are also being hired more frequently than last year.
Appliances Get a Boost from High-Tech Features: Appliances are the second most common feature that homeowners splurge on during 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.
Islands Are Where We Work From Home: Following a kitchen renovation, one in five homeowners say that a top activity at their island is work (20%), up four percentage points from 2021. Homeowners are making space for this activity with nearly two in five islands stretching more than 7 feet in length (39%), up five percentage points from last year. Homeowners are also making the space brighter with the vast majority installing new light fixtures above islands (92%).
White and Gray Prevail as Top Colors: White continues to lead as the top choice for kitchen cabinets, backsplash and walls (41%, 40% and 32%, respectively). Gray is the most common alternative to white, with 27% of renovating homeowners painting the kitchen walls gray, 13% installing gray flooring, and 11% opting for a gray backsplash. That said, blue, black and green bring visual interest to the space through contrasting kitchen island cabinet colors (26%, 10% and 5%, respectively).
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Interesting info. I'm sooooooooper surprised that nothing was mentioned about the browns & beiges 'renaissance'. Grays will always be safe and classic, but I've witnessed a lot of people moving more towards warmer grays, or even pale browns/beiges/taupes/pewters in many areas of the home, over the last 6 months-1 year. More Earth tones that are warming, comforting, inviting, and help ground the space, etc. I thought Houzz would have picked up on that as well...or at least mentioned it in this section.