Consumers are making their kitchens larger and sticking with the open-plan trend during renovations, according to the latest Houzz UK Kitchen Trends Survey, which also found that 88% of consumers are changing their kitchen style, the majority choosing a contemporary design.

The survey – which questioned more than 3,100 UK homeowners on Houzz – also found that consumers are leaning towards neutral colours, with 50% choosing white, 18% grey and 12% beige. According to Houzz, 93% said cabinets and worktops are the most popular kitchen features to upgrade as part of a kitchen renovation, while 90% said taps.

Homeowners are also investing more in modern appliances, with 24% saying they have got a boiling water tap, while 18% said they'd opted for warming drawers. Consumers are becoming more in touch with the 'smart' kitchen, with 17% opting for colour touch-screen displays and 12% for wireless controls on their appliances.

“Houzz research has shown that the majority of kitchen renovations are unlikely to be motivated by the desire to improve a home's resale value,” said Houzz principal economist Nino Sitchinava. “With the growing trend of homeowners staying put, the return on investment from a kitchen renovation is less tangible, instead measured in healthier habits, personalised spaces and more face-time with family and friends.”

Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design, found that 43% of those surveyed, cook more meals at home as a result of their kitchen upgrade, with nine in ten enjoying five or more home-cooked meals per week (91%). Other significant habit changes post-renovation include eating more fruit and vegetables (23%) and reducing the amount of takeaway and delivery meals, as a third boast that they are ordering in less (36%).

Open-plan living remains popular, with over half of kitchens more open to nearby rooms following renovations (59%). Nearly two thirds of kitchens also gain square footage during updates (63%). With these larger spaces, homeowners spend more time with their families (69%) and entertain more frequently (51%).

Along with these positive lifestyle impacts, the majority of kitchen updates also include a style change (88%). Contemporary tops the kitchen style list for UK homeowners (56%), with traditional and country styles trailing behind (10% and 7%, respectively). Neutral colour schemes are preferred in the majority of kitchen upgrades, with white (50%), grey (18%) and beige (12%) the top three wall colour choices. Green and blue, however, only make  modest appearances on new kitchen walls (5% and 4%, respectively).

The most popular features to replace or upgrade in a kitchen renovation are cabinets (93%), worktops (93%) and taps (90%). Of the 89% investing in appliances, more than four fifths opt for a dishwasher (82%) and fridge/freezers (78%). Among the more unusual appliances, homeowners are choosing boiling water taps (24%) warming drawers (18%) and drink fridges (16%). Many who are upgrading their appliances also opt for hi-tech features such as colour touch-screen displays (17%) and wireless controls via smartphone or tablet (12%). With such substantial investments, it’s unsurprising that kitchens command big budgets; more than one in 10 homeowners spent over £50K on their kitchen renovation in 2016 (16%) and another 22% spent between £25k and £50k.

“Houzz research has shown that the majority of kitchen renovations are unlikely to be motivated by the desire to improve a home’s resale value,” said Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. “With the growing trend of homeowners staying put, the return on investment from a kitchen renovation is less tangible, instead measured in healthier habits, personalised spaces and more face-time with family and friends.”

Additional findings include:

• Popular pantries: When it comes to built-in features, 40% of kitchen updaters are installing pantry cabinets and nearly one in 10 make space for a walk-in pantry (9%). More than a quarter of homeowners purchase a built-in wine fridge for their renovated kitchens (29%).
• Professional hiring remains high: The majority of homeowners hire professionals for their kitchen renovations (93%), including tradesmen (70%), kitchen fitters (49%) and kitchen designers (47%).
• Warming up to wood: Among those updating flooring in kitchen renovations, engineered wood is the preferred flooring choice in 16% of updated kitchens, behind porcelain or ceramic tiles (30%). Of those upgrading worktops in kitchen renovations, 16% opt for a butcher’s block or wood slab and 15% of new worktops sport a medium-wood hue.
• Classic colours: Colours that stand the test of time continue to be popular including stainless steel appliances (47%) and white cabinets (31%). Black stainless steel is having a moment and will be included in nearly one in ten of updated kitchens (9%).

You can download the full Houzz UK Kitchen Trends Study here.