2020 Kitchen Remodeling Trends

American homeowners’ spending on kitchen remodeling continues to grow.

In mid-2019, the median spend on major kitchen remodels was $35,000, up $5,000 from mid-2018 totals, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Spending on minor kitchen remodels remained steady, at about $8,000, and the percentage of people using professionals is stable, around 85%. So, what are consumers spending their remodeling dollars on?

The most popular kitchen feature upgrade is countertops, with 89% of consumers updating theirs, followed by backsplash at 84% and sinks at 83%. Most remodelers are upgrading systems, changing layouts or modifying walls.

Some of the most trendy kitchen upgrades are white cabinets, which have increased 2% in popularity, reaching 45%. Likewise, kitchen colors generally remain neutral, with gray, white and beige taking the lead, although blue, the 2020 color of the year, has seen a 2% popularity increase, reaching 7%. Wood flooring is king, followed by gray flooring, while standard stainless continues to rule appliances. White backsplash is most popular, followed by multicolored and gray.

Kitchen islands are also rising in popularity, with half of people adding one or upgrading a current one in their kitchen. Ninety-eight percent of those people had storage in their islands, while 92% used overhead lighting and 52% had appliances added to their island, most likely a a microwave, dishwasher and/or garbage disposal.

Technological updates decreased in popularity in kitchens, but wireless controls, color touch-screen displays and built-in apps were the most common updates.

Post-remodel, what are homeowners using their newly renovated kitchen for? Ninety-four percent said cooking, while 70% said eating or dining and 60% said baking. One-third of respondents said they feel more healthy post-renovated kitchen.