Which of These Kitchen Renovation Trends Would You Choose?
The 2024 Houzz Kitchen Trends Report is out. Dive into the highlights to see what’s topping your choices
Which worktop material and flooring is floating your boat? What are the colours gaining popularity? And which metal are you favouring for your cabinet handles? All these questions and more were included in the 2024 Houzz UK Kitchen Trends Report*, which looks at the practical and style choices that will shape our spaces this year. See our roundup of the results below.
*Percentages reflect the proportion of homeowners who are updating, or have updated, the kitchen as part of a completed, current or planned kitchen renovation during 2023-24
*Percentages reflect the proportion of homeowners who are updating, or have updated, the kitchen as part of a completed, current or planned kitchen renovation during 2023-24
Contemporary cuts the mustard
When quizzed about the style you wanted for your kitchen, it was almost neck and neck between a contemporary (24%) and a modern look (23%).
Contemporary tends to be bolder and edgier than streamlined, pared-back modern. And this pink and blue space, designed by A New Day, shows why contemporary style is so popular: with both clean lines and character, what’s not to love?
Not trailing too far behind, a good proportion of you favoured a classic look, at 15% – think Shaker-style painted cabinets, parquet and marble.
The next favourite styles, in order of popularity, were: country (7%), Scandinavian (6%) and eclectic (5%).
Got a project in mind? Find the best expert for the job in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
When quizzed about the style you wanted for your kitchen, it was almost neck and neck between a contemporary (24%) and a modern look (23%).
Contemporary tends to be bolder and edgier than streamlined, pared-back modern. And this pink and blue space, designed by A New Day, shows why contemporary style is so popular: with both clean lines and character, what’s not to love?
Not trailing too far behind, a good proportion of you favoured a classic look, at 15% – think Shaker-style painted cabinets, parquet and marble.
The next favourite styles, in order of popularity, were: country (7%), Scandinavian (6%) and eclectic (5%).
Got a project in mind? Find the best expert for the job in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Move over neutrals
While grey remains the most popular cabinetry colour – 19% of you are still choosing it for your doors and drawers – it has dropped two points year over year. Similarly, white has dropped four points this year, down to 15%. Green cabinetry (16%) and unpainted medium wood (5%) saw the biggest rises, up 3% and 2%, respectively.
When it comes to worktops, however, neutrals are still winners and white remains the firm favourite among you, with 48% of respondents opting for it. Grey is the next most popular, at 13%, then medium-toned wood (8%), black (7%), and beige and multi-coloured, at 6% each.
As for your walls, white dominates, with 56% of you picking this pale backdrop. Quite a way behind comes beige (13%), then grey (9%), green (8%), blue (2%) and orange (1%).
Falling halfway between the top two favourites is this serene stone-coloured scheme by Matthew Giles Architects.
While grey remains the most popular cabinetry colour – 19% of you are still choosing it for your doors and drawers – it has dropped two points year over year. Similarly, white has dropped four points this year, down to 15%. Green cabinetry (16%) and unpainted medium wood (5%) saw the biggest rises, up 3% and 2%, respectively.
When it comes to worktops, however, neutrals are still winners and white remains the firm favourite among you, with 48% of respondents opting for it. Grey is the next most popular, at 13%, then medium-toned wood (8%), black (7%), and beige and multi-coloured, at 6% each.
As for your walls, white dominates, with 56% of you picking this pale backdrop. Quite a way behind comes beige (13%), then grey (9%), green (8%), blue (2%) and orange (1%).
Falling halfway between the top two favourites is this serene stone-coloured scheme by Matthew Giles Architects.
Aesthetics trump practicality
Interestingly, when choosing materials for our kitchens, this year we’re less motivated by how easy they are to clean and sanitise.
Most important, you told us, was how the material looks and feels when selecting cabinetry, flooring and worktops (82%, 78% and 71%, respectively). Check out this Studio Fabbri kitchen from one of 2023’s popular Houzz Tours for a perfect example, with its tactile ribbed oak island, pale birch ply features, egg-yolk yellow Formica, microcement worktop and smooth and sustainable Marmoleum flooring.
While ease of cleaning is still a popular reason for picking certain materials, the share of homeowners who upgraded their cabinetry, flooring and worktops based on this factor (39%, 48% and 41%) has dropped (by 6%, 3% and 5%, respectively).
Interestingly, when choosing materials for our kitchens, this year we’re less motivated by how easy they are to clean and sanitise.
Most important, you told us, was how the material looks and feels when selecting cabinetry, flooring and worktops (82%, 78% and 71%, respectively). Check out this Studio Fabbri kitchen from one of 2023’s popular Houzz Tours for a perfect example, with its tactile ribbed oak island, pale birch ply features, egg-yolk yellow Formica, microcement worktop and smooth and sustainable Marmoleum flooring.
While ease of cleaning is still a popular reason for picking certain materials, the share of homeowners who upgraded their cabinetry, flooring and worktops based on this factor (39%, 48% and 41%) has dropped (by 6%, 3% and 5%, respectively).
Brass is on the rise
What colour metal did you choose for your kitchen cabinet handles? If it was brushed nickel, you’ve picked this year’s most popular metal for the job, as 22% of you went for this option.
But, interestingly, there is another option hot on its heels… While last year’s second favourite metal for handles was chrome, this has dropped to third place (10%) and brand new in second place is brass. This warm-toned choice has doubled in popularity year on year, rising to 14% from 7% in 2023.
Often associated with a more traditional style of cabinetry, this example by interior designer Claudia Urvois shows just how well brass can work in a contemporary kitchen, too.
What colour metal did you choose for your kitchen cabinet handles? If it was brushed nickel, you’ve picked this year’s most popular metal for the job, as 22% of you went for this option.
But, interestingly, there is another option hot on its heels… While last year’s second favourite metal for handles was chrome, this has dropped to third place (10%) and brand new in second place is brass. This warm-toned choice has doubled in popularity year on year, rising to 14% from 7% in 2023.
Often associated with a more traditional style of cabinetry, this example by interior designer Claudia Urvois shows just how well brass can work in a contemporary kitchen, too.
Quartz worktops win again
When it comes to materials for worktops, practical and good-looking engineered quartz is way ahead – and even more popular than it was last year (up to 47% from 41%).
It could be quartz’s usability that’s winning you over – it’s non-porous, doesn’t need to be sealed and is pretty much impervious to water and resistant to stains and germs. It’s also aesthetically versatile, coming in a plethora of finishes – this marble-effect design in a MKW Surfaces kitchen is just one example.
Trailing some way behind, the next three favourite worktop materials are laminate (15%), granite (12%) and wood (12%). Bringing up the rear are solid surface (9%) and marble (4%).
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
When it comes to materials for worktops, practical and good-looking engineered quartz is way ahead – and even more popular than it was last year (up to 47% from 41%).
It could be quartz’s usability that’s winning you over – it’s non-porous, doesn’t need to be sealed and is pretty much impervious to water and resistant to stains and germs. It’s also aesthetically versatile, coming in a plethora of finishes – this marble-effect design in a MKW Surfaces kitchen is just one example.
Trailing some way behind, the next three favourite worktop materials are laminate (15%), granite (12%) and wood (12%). Bringing up the rear are solid surface (9%) and marble (4%).
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
You’re tuning into tech
You are increasingly opting for appliances with high-tech capabilities, which showed a nine point increase to 44%. More than a quarter of homeowners now choose appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity (27%, up from 18% in 2023), while some prefer those controllable via smartphones and tablets (23%, up from 17%).
Perhaps surprisingly, only 6% said they went for built-in wireless/bluetooth speakers, although this is up from 4% last year. We’d love to know how you listen to music in your kitchen – leave us a comment to let us know at the end of this piece.
You are increasingly opting for appliances with high-tech capabilities, which showed a nine point increase to 44%. More than a quarter of homeowners now choose appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity (27%, up from 18% in 2023), while some prefer those controllable via smartphones and tablets (23%, up from 17%).
Perhaps surprisingly, only 6% said they went for built-in wireless/bluetooth speakers, although this is up from 4% last year. We’d love to know how you listen to music in your kitchen – leave us a comment to let us know at the end of this piece.
Floor tiles still tickle your fancy
You were clear on your flooring choices, with a quarter of you (25%) choosing hardwearing ceramic or porcelain tiles, illustrated well here in this Kitchen Ergonomics scheme. Not far down the line, your second favourite option is vinyl (22%).
The next favourite materials were: engineered wood (16%); laminate (12%); stone (10%), and wood (6%).
You were clear on your flooring choices, with a quarter of you (25%) choosing hardwearing ceramic or porcelain tiles, illustrated well here in this Kitchen Ergonomics scheme. Not far down the line, your second favourite option is vinyl (22%).
The next favourite materials were: engineered wood (16%); laminate (12%); stone (10%), and wood (6%).
You’re still making sustainable choices – but different ones
This year, the eco-friendly decisions you made had shifted a touch from last year. When asked which sustainable options you chose during your kitchen project, 21% of you said you’d picked VOC-free paints, finishes and coatings, up from 18% last year.
The popularity of energy-efficient windows was also on the rise, with 41% of you (up two points) going for this insulating option, while 44% of you said you’d picked a timeless design with sustainability in mind.
This kitchen is a second-hand one by The Used Kitchen Company, but slightly fewer respondents than last year said they’d chosen eco-friendly or recycled materials (down to 12% from 15% and 9% from 15% in 2023, respectively), water-efficient fixtures (19% compared to 23%) and LED lightbulbs, which dropped marginally to 74% from a previous 76%).
Tell us…
What are the highlights of your recent or upcoming kitchen renovation? Share all in the Comments.
This year, the eco-friendly decisions you made had shifted a touch from last year. When asked which sustainable options you chose during your kitchen project, 21% of you said you’d picked VOC-free paints, finishes and coatings, up from 18% last year.
The popularity of energy-efficient windows was also on the rise, with 41% of you (up two points) going for this insulating option, while 44% of you said you’d picked a timeless design with sustainability in mind.
This kitchen is a second-hand one by The Used Kitchen Company, but slightly fewer respondents than last year said they’d chosen eco-friendly or recycled materials (down to 12% from 15% and 9% from 15% in 2023, respectively), water-efficient fixtures (19% compared to 23%) and LED lightbulbs, which dropped marginally to 74% from a previous 76%).
Tell us…
What are the highlights of your recent or upcoming kitchen renovation? Share all in the Comments.
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In last year’s survey, pantries were the most added kitchen feature – and this year, you’re still loving them.
Among those of you who had completed, were in the middle of, or had planned a kitchen renovation during 2023-24, a significant 43% said they’d plumped for a pantry cabinet when asked about the features they were adding or upgrading.
This beautiful, glass-fronted example of one in a project by Bradley Van Der Straeten shows that these multifunctional cupboards are about more than simply storage.
Kitchen islands were a close second, with 40% of you keen to incorporate one of these practical pieces. Also high on the desirability list were: breakfast bars (34%); electronics charging stations (31%); wine fridges/racks (26%) and coffee/tea stations (21%).