PALO ALTO, CA — Interest in open-concept kitchens is returning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study conducted by Houzz Inc., the Palo Alto, CA-based online platform for home remodeling and design.
According to the 2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, a recent survey of more than 3,400 homeowners found that a growing number are making their kitchens more open to other interior spaces (43%, compared to 38% of those who renovated in 2021), as well as to the outdoors (23%, compared with 18% of those who renovated in 2021).
Among homeowners making their kitchens more open to nearby interiors, nearly two-thirds say they prefer to remove any wall separation (64%), while a quarter choose double doors, a row of doors or a wide opening (25%), Houzz reported.
Improving functionality (64%) is the driving force behind creating an open-concept space, while 54% of renovating homeowners want to enhance their entertaining space, and 47% simply appreciate the layout’s aesthetic, Houzz said. The majority of open-concept kitchens share similar flooring and wall colors with neighboring rooms (79% and 61%, respectively).
“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,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “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.”
Additional insights from the 2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study include:
- Bigger islands: More than 2 in 5 homeowners opt for islands that are 7′ or longer (42%), an increase of 10% since 2020. Islands that are less than 6′ long are losing popularity, down 5% year over year. This may coincide with homeowners’ reported usage of islands for entertaining and socializing post-renovation, Houzz said.
- A pop of cabinet color: White continues to be the most common cabinet color, but wood and green both inched up. Despite a slight dip in popularity as a primary cabinet color, blue remains a top pick for island cabinets that are a different color than the main cabinets. Green also saw a jump in popularity for island cabinets that contrast from the main cabinets.
- High-tech appliances: More homeowners prefer to replace all appliances during a renovation (54%), rather than just a few (34%). Homeowners are increasingly opting for appliances with high-tech capabilities. Nearly a third of homeowners now choose appliances with WiFi connectivity, and some prefer those controllable via smartphones and tablets. Interest in features such as touchscreen displays, smart-home connectivity and built-in apps and cameras has also grown compared to last year.
- Backsplashes that reach new heights: Homeowners overwhelmingly choose to replace backsplashes during kitchen renovations. Backsplashes most commonly extend to the cabinets or range hood, although one in 10 noted that the backsplash extends to the ceiling. The most popular backsplash material is ceramic or porcelain tile, followed by engineered quartz and natural stone, including marble, quartzite and granite.
- Design with longevity in mind: Among renovating homeowners addressing special needs in the kitchen, the most common reason is to accommodate aging household members’ future and current needs. Functional elements incorporated for this purpose include pullout cabinets, extra lighting and wide drawer pulls. Safety features are also a priority, including nonslip flooring and rounded countertops. ▪