Kitchen Design
Top Colors and Materials for Countertops, Backsplashes and Floors
See the choices that homeowners remodeling kitchens are making, according to the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study
A gorgeous countertop and backsplash can make a big difference in how a kitchen looks and feels. Homeowners remodeling their kitchens these days often choose white as their countertop and backsplash color. They also favor engineered quartz for the counter material and ceramic or porcelain tile for the backsplash.
Read on for more details on countertops and backsplashes — plus a look at what’s trending in kitchen floors — as revealed in the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.
Read on for more details on countertops and backsplashes — plus a look at what’s trending in kitchen floors — as revealed in the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.
White is the most popular color for upgraded counters in remodeled kitchens, and engineered quartz is the most popular material. This kitchen features a white Caesarstone (engineered quartz) countertop.
White Is the Most Popular Color for Upgraded Countertops
Among homeowners upgrading their kitchen countertops as part of their kitchen remodels, white is the most popular color (33%), followed by multicolored (26%), gray (14%), black (9%) and beige (5%).
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
Among homeowners upgrading their kitchen countertops as part of their kitchen remodels, white is the most popular color (33%), followed by multicolored (26%), gray (14%), black (9%) and beige (5%).
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
This kitchen has countertops in granite, the second-most popular material for upgraded counters in remodeled kitchens.
Quartz Is the Top Material for Upgraded Counters
Engineered quartz is the top material choice for countertops (40%) among remodeling homeowners upgrading this kitchen feature, according to the study. That’s down significantly from the 51% share the material garnered among remodeling homeowners the prior year, a drop perhaps explained by the rising cost of engineered quartz resulting from increased tariffs on imports from China.
Granite (28%) is the second-most popular material among remodeling homeowners upgrading their counters, followed by butcher block or wood slab (12%).
Engineered quartz is the top material choice for countertops (40%) among remodeling homeowners upgrading this kitchen feature, according to the study. That’s down significantly from the 51% share the material garnered among remodeling homeowners the prior year, a drop perhaps explained by the rising cost of engineered quartz resulting from increased tariffs on imports from China.
Granite (28%) is the second-most popular material among remodeling homeowners upgrading their counters, followed by butcher block or wood slab (12%).
This kitchen features a backsplash of porcelain tile, which together with ceramic tile is the most popular material for upgraded backsplashes in remodeled kitchens.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Is the Top Pick for Backsplashes
Neutral colors for backsplashes are popular among remodeling homeowners upgrading this element of the kitchen. As with countertops, white is the top color choice (37%) for upgraded backsplashes, followed by multicolored (18%), gray (14%), beige (9%) and blue (6%).
In terms of materials for upgraded kitchen backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile (54%) is by far the most popular material choice. Marble (9%) is a distant second, followed by engineered quartz (8%).
And homeowners upgrading the backsplash as part of their kitchen remodel appear to be embracing it as a stylish element: Sixty-eight percent are bringing the backsplash up to the cabinets or range hood. Others are taking their backsplashes all the way to the ceiling (9%).
Neutral colors for backsplashes are popular among remodeling homeowners upgrading this element of the kitchen. As with countertops, white is the top color choice (37%) for upgraded backsplashes, followed by multicolored (18%), gray (14%), beige (9%) and blue (6%).
In terms of materials for upgraded kitchen backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tile (54%) is by far the most popular material choice. Marble (9%) is a distant second, followed by engineered quartz (8%).
And homeowners upgrading the backsplash as part of their kitchen remodel appear to be embracing it as a stylish element: Sixty-eight percent are bringing the backsplash up to the cabinets or range hood. Others are taking their backsplashes all the way to the ceiling (9%).
Wood tones, from light to dark, are the most popular color choice for upgraded kitchen floors among remodeling homeowners. The most popular material for upgraded kitchen floors is actually ceramic or porcelain tile, which comes in many finishes, including wood-look.
Wood Tones Are the Most Popular Floor Colors
When it comes to color, more than half (51%) of remodeling homeowners upgrading their kitchen floors are choosing wood tones, ranging from light to dark. Gray (14%) is a distant second color choice for upgraded floors, followed by beige (10%), brown (9%) and multicolored (6%).
The popularity of wood tones for upgraded kitchen floors doesn’t necessarily mean that remodeling homeowners are choosing hardwood as their flooring material. The most popular material for upgraded kitchen floors is ceramic or porcelain tile (24%), which is available in a wide range of finishes, including wood-look. Stained or unstained hardwood is the second choice (23%), followed by vinyl or resilient flooring (19%), engineered wood (14%) and laminate (10%).
The 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from 2,014 Houzz users who reported that they were homeowners age 18 or older who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded in June and July 2020.
Download the full study here
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When it comes to color, more than half (51%) of remodeling homeowners upgrading their kitchen floors are choosing wood tones, ranging from light to dark. Gray (14%) is a distant second color choice for upgraded floors, followed by beige (10%), brown (9%) and multicolored (6%).
The popularity of wood tones for upgraded kitchen floors doesn’t necessarily mean that remodeling homeowners are choosing hardwood as their flooring material. The most popular material for upgraded kitchen floors is ceramic or porcelain tile (24%), which is available in a wide range of finishes, including wood-look. Stained or unstained hardwood is the second choice (23%), followed by vinyl or resilient flooring (19%), engineered wood (14%) and laminate (10%).
The 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from 2,014 Houzz users who reported that they were homeowners age 18 or older who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition in the past 12 months, were currently working on one or were planning to start one in the next three months. The survey was fielded in June and July 2020.
Download the full study here
More on Houzz
Browse kitchen photos for inspiration
Read stories about kitchen design
Shop for kitchen products
Counters and backsplashes are so important that a large majority of homeowners remodeling their kitchens tackle these features. In fact, 88% of homeowners remodeling their kitchens are upgrading their countertops, while 83% are addressing backsplashes and 80% upgrade their kitchen sinks. Other common kitchen upgrades among remodeling homeowners include faucets (79%), light fixtures (74%) and floors (65%).
Note that although it’s not mentioned in this chart, nearly all homeowners remodeling their kitchens (94%) improve the cabinets in some way, with a majority (63%) replacing the cabinets completely. For more on cabinets, read Top Styles and Cabinet Choices for Remodeled Kitchens.