For kitchen remodels, bigger is not necessarily better, but open spaces are in high demand, according to the Fall Houzz Kitchen Remodeling Survey of more than 7,500 Houzz users who are in the midst of, or are planning, a kitchen remodel. Houzz (www.houzz.com), the world’s leading platform for home remodeling and design, found that only a third of those renovating a kitchen are increasing the square footage of their space, while three quarters are opening up their kitchens, typically as part of a great room. Consistent with the open concept approach, three in five respondents are incorporating an island into their new or updated kitchen.

Kitchen style differs by age group, with younger homeowners more likely to describe their future kitchen as contemporary or modern while those over 55 years old favor a traditional look. Additional findings include:

• Countertops are key to transformation: The vast majority (94 percent) of respondents plan to change their countertops. Granite and quartz are the top picks (86 percent), and many people mix and match materials for their island.
• Stainless appliances are still popular: While nearly two thirds of respondents are choosing stainless, many respondents reported combining stainless appliances with appliances integrated into cabinetry for a more subtle look.
• Conservative color schemes dominate: “Soft and neutral” is the most popular color scheme choice (75 percent). A much smaller group are going “bright and colorful” (14 percent) or “bold and dramatic” (11 percent). Kitchen palette and style preferences are clearly linked as color conservatives are more likely to choose traditional style kitchens, while those who choose more daring colors are more likely to create a contemporary or modern kitchen.
• Eco-friendly matters: Nearly half of respondents cite using eco-friendly appliances and materials as important. Those who declared choosing eco-friendly materials and appliances to be “extremely important” are more likely to choose tile flooring, while all other groups favored hardwood.

“People renovating their kitchens have to make thousands of decisions about layout, styles, products, the right kitchen designers and remodelers to hire for their project, and much more,” said Liza Hausman, VP of Community forHouzz. “Houzz provides all the tools homeowners need to make these decisions easier and more fun, and to turn their dreams into reality. We’re pleased to share this data to give people greater confidence in their choices, and to give home professionals greater insights into their clients’ wants and needs.”

Overwhelmingly, survey respondents are renovating to make their kitchens more beautiful and to please themselves (80 percent). Other reasons include making the kitchen more functional (59 percent), upgrading features or appliances (52 percent) and improving organization and storage (48 percent). When asked why they are renovating, people mentioned everything from major life changes to aesthetic issues to natural disasters.

You can download the full report at: http://info.houzz.com/rs/houzz/images/HouzzKitchenStudy.pdf.

The “Kitchen Remodeling Survey” is an online survey of Houzz users conducted in October 2013.

Some of the main trends gleaned from the survey are that the open-concept kitchen is still widely popular, granite and quartz are the materials of choice when it comes to countertops, mixing appliance materials is considered, and conservative colors schemes dominate the market. The study also found that 49 percent of the responders believe in completely gutting the existing kitchen, while 42 percent prefer to update their existing space.

In terms of finishes and colors, 65 percent of responders are incorporating stainless steel appliances into their kitchen design, while many are also combining stainless with white or color appliances or integrating appliances into the cabinetry. Soft and neutral tones were most popular with responders, and topping the list of must-have appliances are a chef’s stove, double ovens and induction cooktops.

Half of the responders chose stone as the preferred material for countertops, with quartz coming in as a close second with 36 percent. Top backsplash choices include tile and glass, and top flooring choices include hardwood and tile.

The study also found that homeowners under the age of 45 prefer a contemporary design in their kitchens, while the traditional look is most popular with those over the age of 45. Seventy-nine percent of the responders said they chose to or are choosing to renovate their kitchens to improve the look and feel of the space, and 59 percent want to improve the kitchen’s function. Other motivators include appliance upgrades, improved storage and increasing the home’s value. Only half of the responders were concerned with creating an eco-friendly kitchen in terms of appliance and material selection.

Out of the 7,812 homeowners who were surveyed, 32 percent have already begun construction on their kitchens, and 68 percent have yet to start, although it seems likely they know where they want to go once they get there.

About Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish -online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality. For more information, visit www.houzz.com