During the past year we have not only seen the demand for homes increasing, we have also witnessed new design trends. As Americans have been spending more and more time at home, it has forced homeowners to rethink their living spaces. For example, a common theme for many home buyers and homeowners has been the desire for more space. If additional space is not an option, then creating more usable and even multi-functional space has been key. The kitchen is arguably the most important room in a home. It is generally where families and guests tend to congregate most of the time. Therefore, there has been a hyper-focus on the kitchen during the past year or so.
What is changing for 2021?
According to a recent survey from design and remodeling site Houzz, fewer homeowners created an open-concept floor plan leading into 2021. This is certainly a byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic as various family members are working from home and/or participating in distance learning for school. Therefore, quiet spaces have become even more important. According to this survey, less than half (43%) of kitchen remodels opted for open concepts leading to other interior spaces. This is a big drop as compared to 53% of homeowners that opted for open kitchen plans in 2019.
As for the most desired feature of a kitchen remodel, storage came in the top spot. As a matter of fact, 94% of homeowners plan or did some work on their kitchen cabinets, with 63% replacing them. This is not surprising considering the fact that more Americans are staying home and even cooking more meals, instead of dining out.
Transitional kitchens came in as the top interior design style, followed by modern and contemporary designs. As for cabinetry, Shaker-style cabinets, (57%), and white cabinet doors (41%) topped the list. As for overall color choices, neutral tones continued to dominate as the most popular.
Ceramic and porcelain tile, which looks like hardwood but is often more durable and water-resistant, were the top choice for kitchen flooring. Vinyl is also becoming popular, being used in about a fifth of remodels.
Summary
An updated and functional kitchen design can be the difference between selling a home quickly or waiting an extended period of time for the kind of buyer that is willing to take on a remodeling project. Of course, it is important to note that most buyers do not want to purchase a home only to begin an extensive and costly project. As a potential seller, it is important that you stay up to date on the latest design trends of the home to ensure your property appeals to the majority of prospective buyers. For example, just one year ago a home office or home gym may not have been “must have” rooms, like they are now for many.
