Kitchen renovations tend to be major construction projects, with renovating homeowners often updating plumbing (81% replace faucets/plumbing fixtures) and electrical (79% replace light fixtures). With these major updates, the vast majority of homeowners renovating their kitchen hire home remodeling and design professionals to help with their projects (85%), according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study*. Remodelers, including general contractors and kitchen remodelers, are the top category of hired help (61% combined).
While a large majority of homeowners replace major features during kitchen renovations, they have scaled back the breadth of upgrades for the second year in a row. For example, upgrades to countertops and sinks are not as widespread (89% and 83%, respectively) compared with two years ago (94% and 90%). However, financial investment in kitchen projects continues to grow, with median spend on major kitchen remodels** completed in mid-2019 at $35,000, up 17 percent from a year ago ($30,000).
Interestingly, nearly all homeowners make some updates to their kitchen cabinets during renovations (94%). While most replace all cabinets (68%), one in four opts for partial cabinet upgrades (27%). These vary from refinishing the exterior (64%) to replacing some cabinets (25%) to replacing cabinet doors only (18%).
Top kitchen activities post-renovation include cooking (94%), dining (70%) and baking (60%), however many use the kitchen for entertaining (53%), socializing (44%) and doing work (23%). Interestingly, one-third of respondents report that they are more healthy following their project (33%).
For additional findings the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, check out the full report at this link.
*Houzz survey of nearly 2,600 U.S. homeowners using Houzz who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a kitchen project, was fielded between June and July 2019.
**A major kitchen remodel refers to a remodel in which at least all the cabinets and appliances are replaced.