Top Kitchen and Cabinet Styles in Kitchen Remodels
Transitional is the No. 1 kitchen style and Shaker leads for cabinets, the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study finds
Erin Carlyle
January 16, 2019
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, perhaps the idea of white cabinets has crossed your mind — specifically, white Shaker-style cabinets. If so, you wouldn’t be alone.
The 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from more than 1,300 Houzz users who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition project in the past 12 months, who are working on one or who are planning to start one in the next three months. Here are five design trends for kitchens based on what they are saying.
The 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from more than 1,300 Houzz users who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition project in the past 12 months, who are working on one or who are planning to start one in the next three months. Here are five design trends for kitchens based on what they are saying.
This farmhouse-style kitchen features a rustic wood island and range hood, and shiplap on the walls. A butler’s pantry with blue cabinets is seen to the right.
1. Transitional Is Still the Most Popular Kitchen Style, but Farmhouse Is Rising
Eighty-two percent of homeowners who are renovating their kitchens are changing its style as part of the project. The most popular style after renovating is transitional (21 percent) — a blend of traditional and contemporary styles — for the second year in a row. Contemporary (15 percent) came in as the second most popular style, as it did the year before.
1. Transitional Is Still the Most Popular Kitchen Style, but Farmhouse Is Rising
Eighty-two percent of homeowners who are renovating their kitchens are changing its style as part of the project. The most popular style after renovating is transitional (21 percent) — a blend of traditional and contemporary styles — for the second year in a row. Contemporary (15 percent) came in as the second most popular style, as it did the year before.
Farmhouse is now the third most popular kitchen style (14 percent) and chosen nearly as frequently for upgraded kitchens as contemporary. The next most popular styles for renovated kitchens are traditional, modern and Craftsman, according to the study.
It’s worth noting that farmhouse style has been gaining fans for remodeled bathrooms as well.
Top Styles, Colors and Finishes for Master Bath Remodels in 2018
It’s worth noting that farmhouse style has been gaining fans for remodeled bathrooms as well.
Top Styles, Colors and Finishes for Master Bath Remodels in 2018
This transitional-style kitchen has Shaker-style cabinets.
2. Shaker or Shaker-Like Cabinets Are Popular in Remodeled Kitchens
Shaker, a kitchen cabinetry classic, and other recessed-panel doors continue to be the top choice for cabinets, with 57 percent of renovating homeowners selecting them. Flat panel is the next most popular door style, followed by raised panel.
2. Shaker or Shaker-Like Cabinets Are Popular in Remodeled Kitchens
Shaker, a kitchen cabinetry classic, and other recessed-panel doors continue to be the top choice for cabinets, with 57 percent of renovating homeowners selecting them. Flat panel is the next most popular door style, followed by raised panel.
Two in 5 homeowners (41 percent) remodeling their kitchens are choosing custom cabinets, while one-third (33 percent) are choosing semicustom cabinets. About one in 10 are choosing stock cabinets (12 percent) or ready-to-assemble options (10 percent).
Find cabinetry professionals on Houzz
Find cabinetry professionals on Houzz
This contemporary-style kitchen is designed with flat-panel wood cabinets and shiny chrome hardware.
3. White Cabinets Are Still on Top, but Wood Is Also Popular
White continues to be the No. 1 pick (43 percent) for cabinet color, followed by wood (25 percent) and gray (11 percent).
3. White Cabinets Are Still on Top, but Wood Is Also Popular
White continues to be the No. 1 pick (43 percent) for cabinet color, followed by wood (25 percent) and gray (11 percent).
The majority of renovating homeowners (54 percent) are mixing metal finishes in their fixtures and hardware — which include faucets and other plumbing fixtures, as well as lighting fixtures and cabinet and door hardware. Among those who are selecting a single finish across fixtures and hardware (46 percent), matte nickel is the top choice, followed by matte chrome and shiny stainless steel.
Matte nickel is the top finish among renovating homeowners who select a single primary color across their kitchen fixtures and hardware whether their cabinet color choice is white, wood or gray.
Browse cabinet hardware in the Houzz Shop
Matte nickel is the top finish among renovating homeowners who select a single primary color across their kitchen fixtures and hardware whether their cabinet color choice is white, wood or gray.
Browse cabinet hardware in the Houzz Shop
4. Pantry Cabinets and Islands Are Popular Built-In Features
More than half (53 percent) of renovating homeowners are opting to make their kitchens more open to adjacent rooms.
And many renovating homeowners are installing kitchen islands. The most popular new kitchen built-ins are tall built-in cabinets that can serve as a pantry (40 percent), followed closely by kitchen islands (38 percent). Breakfast bars (19 percent) and wine fridges or wine racks (16 percent) are also popular among renovating homeowners, though less so than kitchen islands.
Browse photos of kitchen islands on Houzz
More than half (53 percent) of renovating homeowners are opting to make their kitchens more open to adjacent rooms.
And many renovating homeowners are installing kitchen islands. The most popular new kitchen built-ins are tall built-in cabinets that can serve as a pantry (40 percent), followed closely by kitchen islands (38 percent). Breakfast bars (19 percent) and wine fridges or wine racks (16 percent) are also popular among renovating homeowners, though less so than kitchen islands.
Browse photos of kitchen islands on Houzz
5. Cookie Trays and Trash Pullouts Are Popular Cabinet Storage Features
The majority of renovating homeowners upgrading their kitchens (78 percent) are upgrading their cabinets, with many including specialty cabinetry storage. Cookie sheet and tray dividers are the most popular cabinet organizer (54 percent), followed by deep drawers (41 percent), spice organizers (38 percent) and cutlery organizers (36 percent).
Among specialized drawer types, pullout waste or recycling drawers or trays are the top pick (68 percent), followed by revolving or Lazy Susan drawers or trays (44 percent) and pullout or swing-out drawers (42 percent).
The 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from 1,337 Houzz users who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition project in the past 12 months, who are working on one or who are planning to start one in the next three months. The study was fielded between Sept. 18 and Oct. 19, 2018.
Download the study
More on Houzz
Browse kitchen photos
Find renovation professionals near you
Shop for products and materials
The majority of renovating homeowners upgrading their kitchens (78 percent) are upgrading their cabinets, with many including specialty cabinetry storage. Cookie sheet and tray dividers are the most popular cabinet organizer (54 percent), followed by deep drawers (41 percent), spice organizers (38 percent) and cutlery organizers (36 percent).
Among specialized drawer types, pullout waste or recycling drawers or trays are the top pick (68 percent), followed by revolving or Lazy Susan drawers or trays (44 percent) and pullout or swing-out drawers (42 percent).
The 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from 1,337 Houzz users who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition project in the past 12 months, who are working on one or who are planning to start one in the next three months. The study was fielded between Sept. 18 and Oct. 19, 2018.
Download the study
More on Houzz
Browse kitchen photos
Find renovation professionals near you
Shop for products and materials
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These are god awful kitchens!!! Horrible. How can you put a sink UNDER cabinets? A refrigerator in the pantry? Or around the corner from the sink? Don't people cook? We need to move easily from sink to fridge to stove and oven. The horrible open rafters above a kitchen is very destructive. Kitchen energy should be wholesome, the layout should be easy to move in. A counter space between the sink and fridge are essential. Window above the sink is for good reason. This article is about the stuff they want to sell you, not about the design at all.
A blue, herringbone tile back splash adds a much-welcomed trendy touch to this kitchen. Rustic elements like open wood shelving makes the space feel casual and friendly, while the dark blue cabinets are a pretty way to add depth and richness.
Ok people, just get what you like...stop worrying about trends....I went shopping for quartz and ended up with the most beautiful granite ... I mix antiques and traditional and some whimsical elements.....I do like warmer colors....and have had terra cotta in our front room for over 10 years..long before this trend...I have two tones kitchen cabinets since 2001 again long before trends...so just use Houzz ear mark what you like....and GO FOR IT.