Lifestyle trends have been deeply affected by the after-effects of covid as well as the concept around “being home”. No longer is home just a place of escape from our hectic lifestyles of work and play, it has to also serve as a place of function that supports a myriad of activities that keep us productive at every season of life. Popular kitchen styles today are merely a reflection of the necessary transition and evolution of the heart of the home.

Top kitchen trends are transforming the kitchen into intelligent spaces that reflect how we live today, and it all makes sense when you take a closer look at these trends. Increasing the function and efficiency are drivers in making storage a major focus in kitchen renovation, according to Houzz and its 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.

Upgrading cabinetry in order to create the right storage is key with 46% of renovating homeowners participating in this study chose to upgrade their pantry cabinets with a growth of 13% of homeowners adding a walk-in pantry. As for cabinetry overall, nearly 94% of homeowners will improve the cabinetry in some way by full replacements or partial cabinet upgrade, according to Houzz.

Open-concept kitchens are still popular but compared to two years ago this trend has slowed with all the multi-tasking that has to be done at home which makes the open-concept less appealing depending upon your season of life.

Another growing trend for the kitchen is choosing to open the kitchen to the outdoors. More than 1 in 5 are choosing this option for their kitchen renovation.

Kitchen cabinet color alternatives are also seen as a way to add a personal touch to your newly renovated kitchen. Although white remains the top color for upgraded cabinets in renovated kitchens, wood tones and grays are not far behind in popularity.

White (and variations of white) remains the top color choice for backsplash but watch out for a growing number of renovating homeowners choosing a multicolored option. Kitchen islands trends also have become a fashionable choice to add a pop of color to the kitchen and can really make your kitchen stand out.

According to Houzz, the median spend on major kitchen remodels – those in which all the cabinets and appliances are replaced – is $35,000 and countertop choice should align proportionately to the cost of the renovation. A recent Consumer Reports article, Best Countertops for Busy Kitchens, offered the pros and cons of seven top countertop materials for busy kitchens. They reported on countertop intelligence tests in measuring how well they resisted stains, heat damage, cuts, abrasion, and impact, and found seven that passed muster:

• Quartz
• Granite
• Soapstone, Limestone, and Marble
• Laminate
• Solid Surfacing
• Recycled Glass
• Butcher Block

The most popular upgrades for kitchen renovations as it pertains to homeowners that participated in this Houzz Study are countertops (88%), backsplashes (83%) and sinks (80%).

Hopefully your kitchen renovation, with the help of a professional will capitalize on the best kitchen style trends most suited for your family!

Photography: Eric Piasecki | Matthew Williams | Laure Joliet | Emily Followill | Peter Vitale