The median kitchen renovator spent $55,000 on updates and upgrades in mid-2023, up from $45,000 in mid-2022. So, what are they spending that money on?

According to Houzz, that money is going toward major structural changes. The remodeling and design platform surveyed over 3,400 homeowners who completed a kitchen renovation in the past year to create its 2024 study of kitchen trends in the U.S.

Notably, renovators are less likely than they were a year ago to undergo kitchen modifications for the purpose of improving the home’s resale value. On the contrary, homeowners are updating their spaces to fit their own personal preferences and lifestyles, with 42% saying they needed a renovation simply because they no longer liked the style of their old kitchen. About 35% said they renovated because their old kitchen deteriorated or because they finally have the means to do so.

These are the kitchen modifications and trends that homeowners are expected to prioritize in 2024.

via Legacy CDM Inc., Craig Hampton, Brooke Wagner Design © Mellon Studio

Open concepts

A majority of kitchen renovators are opting for an open-concept space — and the main reason is for improved functionality.

“We’re seeing a return to more open-concept spaces following a brief drop in interest during the pandemic, when people sought separation and privacy from other household members,” Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist, said in the report. “Creating a more open kitchen appeals to homeowners for both functional and aesthetic reasons, but doing so may impact the project’s overall budget, requiring more technical changes, such as modifying walls and changing the layout.”

No matter how you slice it, homeowners are prioritizing the layout of their kitchen, with 45% making structural changes that alter the flow of the space. Furthermore, 39% of renovators modify their kitchen walls, while 7% change the entire kitchen’s location (up from 4% a year ago).

Professional hiring

More than four in five homeowners count on professional assistance when it comes to kitchen renovations, and for good reason, considering the structural changes they’re making. General contractors are the most popular professional hired at 55%, followed by cabinet makers at 35% — a four-year high. Another 33% of homeowners hire a designer or professional remodeler.

via Jessica Koltun Home © Unique Exposure Photography

Bigger islands

More than two in five homeowners opt for a kitchen island that’s seven feet or longer. That reflects homeowners’ use of kitchen islands for entertaining and socializing after their renovations are complete. Meanwhile, islands less than six feet in length decreased in popularity by 5%.

High-tech appliances

More than half of kitchen renovators prefer to upgrade all appliances during a renovation, rather than just a few. Forty-four percent of renovators opted for high-tech upgrades, while 30% chose appliances with WiFi capabilities and 29% wanted appliances that can be controlled by smartphone. Interest in touchscreen appliances, smart-home connectivity and built-in apps also rose in popularity year over year.

Aging accommodations

Mirroring the bathroom trend of curbless showers that allow for aging in place, many home renovators are updating their kitchens to better accommodate aging members of the household. Nearly 60% incorporated pullout cabinets to their designs, while 54% added extra lighting and 48% added wide drawer pulls for easy access.

In addition, select safety features, including non-slip flooring and rounded countertops, have also risen in popularity since last year.

A total of 18% of kitchen renovators in Houzz’s study undertook the task of kitchen renovations to make their space more accommodating.

via Nuela Designs © Avery Nicole Photography

Upgraded backsplashes

While upgraded countertops are still the No. 1 kitchen modification, a whopping 86% of kitchen renovators prioritized upgrading their backsplashes, up two points from the previous year. Over 60% chose backsplashes that extend all the way up to cabinets or a range hood, while an unprecedented number of renovators — 10% — even selected backsplashes that extend all the way to the ceiling.

When it comes to material, most homeowners prefer ceramic or porcelain backsplashes (54%), followed by engineered quartz (11%), marble (9%), quartzite (6%) and granite (4%).

Pendant lighting

Approximately 94% of homeowners upgrade lighting during a kitchen renovation — and pendant lights are the most popular, with 63% choosing to upgrade the lighting above their kitchen island. Pendant lights were followed by recessed lights at 36% and chandeliers at 10%.

Storage solutions

Another way homeowners are improving the functionality of their kitchens is with intentional storage. Over 50% of renovators prioritized being able to store cookie sheets and trays in their new kitchen, followed by spices (44%), cutlery (41%), microwaves (38%) and other utensils (37%).

The most popular type of specialty storage, however, is pull-out waste or recycling drawers: 66% of renovators included the upgrade, up 5 points from last year.