How Home Kitchens are Changing in 2020

by Chuck Roper 10. February 2020 11:17

 

What does your dream kitchen look like? Colorful cabinets, farmhouse sink, island? Kitchen trends come and go, and we’re excited about what 2020 has in store for one of the most popular rooms in the house. Houzz recently released its 2020 Kitchen Trends Study; read on to learn more about what’s in and out for the coming year!

The Island Life

Islands continue to be popular fixtures in kitchen remodels. According to Houzz, half of all homeowners choose to add an island when renovating their kitchens, giving them added storage space, the opportunity for overhead lighting (both recessed and pendant), and a home for appliances like dishwashers and microwaves. L-shaped islands are most popular, coming in at 40 percent of all upgrades, followed by U-shaped at 30 percent.

Mixing Blues and Grays

Blue walls, hardwood floors and engineered quartz countertops are growing in popularity. But far more popular are white cabinets, which account for 45 percent of remodeled kitchens, Houzz reports. Two in five homeowners choose colorful island cabinets to complement the rest of the room, with gray and blue being the two most popular colors for island cabinetry.

Farmhouse Style Fades

Transitional and contemporary style kitchens account for 21 percent and 16 percent of upgrades, respectively. Farmhouse style has dropped to fourth place, with only 11 percent of remodelers opting for a rustic look. Neutral color palettes are still king, with many homeowners opting for gray, white and beige walls; hardwood and vinyl, wood-toned flooring; and stainless-steel appliances (why stop a good thing?). But risk-takers are adding a little personality to their kitchens with blue walls, beige floors and black appliances.

Upgraded Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets account for 94 percent of all kitchen upgrades, with Shaker-style reigning supreme. Though most people choose to completely replace old cabinetry, one in four homeowners opts for a partial upgrade, like refinishing or repainting existing cabinets. While they’re at it, many homeowners are putting in a full-wall backsplash from countertop to ceiling. Ceramic and porcelain continue to dominate for backsplash materials, with marble following in third.

Resources Drive Decisions

Spending on kitchen remodels continues to increase, with most homeowners reporting their primary reason for undertaking a remodel is that they finally have the means to do so. That said, remodels themselves are smaller in scope, with homeowners scaling back the breadth of their upgrades, according to Houzz, and opting against full gut-jobs. Instead, kitchens are being made more open with views to other rooms, with current layouts and sizes staying relatively the same.

Bestselling Kitchen Accents

Houzz reports that the top five categories for kitchen finishes are:


    • Kitchen faucets

    • Range hoods

    • Pendant lights

    • Kitchen sinks

    • Barstools

 

Whether you’re planning a full remodel or just sprucing up your space, we recommend keeping Houzz’s study in mind. The good news is that clean, classic looks with a touch of personality are in, which means your kitchen remodel is sure to stand the test of time.

Plan For These Seven Fall Renovations Now

by Chuck Roper 15. August 2018 08:40




With the start of a new season, fall brings the opportunity to reinvent your home! There are plenty of fall renovation projects that will make your home feel fresh and get you ready for winter. Not sure where to start? No problem! We picked out a few seasonal projects that will leave your home feeling renewed before winter arrives.


1. Seal Your Windows


An easy way to prepare your house for winter is by putting caulk around the edges of your windows. Small gaps between windows and window panes allow heat to escape and let the cold in, lowering your home’s energy efficiency and raising your heating costs. Caulk is very low in cost, and it’s a simple project that you can knock out in a weekend.



2. Update Your Outdoor Pool


Whether you’re looking for some serious repairs or just standard maintenance, fall is the best time to work on your pool. Summer is the busiest season for pool repairs, and costs are often at their highest, so waiting until fall to get repairs done ensures that you’ll face a lower price. Plus, companies will have more time in the off-season, which means your repairs will likely get done quickly.



3. Protect Your Garden


As temperatures cool down, it’s time to start getting your garden ready for winter. You’ll want to cover your flower beds to protect them from snow and cold. One of the easiest ways to do this is with dried, fallen leaves. Collect the leaves that fall in autumn and place them in a layer over your garden, which will insulate your plants for the cold months ahead.



4. Paint Your Exterior


A fresh coat of paint does wonders! Remember to add sealant over the paint to protect against snow and ice damage. While you’re at it, apply sealant to outdoor stairs, doors, and wood on porches, too.


5. Repair the Roof


If your roof has any small holes or leaks, winter will only make them worse. Heat will escape and snow will get in. Fall is a perfect time to have a roofing crew come in, take care of any small repairs, and make sure you’re ready to handle snow and ice.



6. Clean the Carpets


Summer can get carpets pretty dirty. Between mud, sand, and other pieces of the outdoors tracked in, your floors are begging for a cleaning. Fall is a great time to clean carpets because dirt from summer sports and activities won’t be coming in. It’s also generally still warm enough so that you can open the windows for ventilation while carpet soaps do their work. That means a fall day outside for you and a full cleaning for your carpets!



7. Install a Programmable Thermostat


Save money this winter with a programmable thermostat. You can set your heat to go down while you’re at work or asleep, which conserves both energy and money. Then your heat can come right back up when you get home, keeping you nice and comfortable!



Fall is a great time to do home renovations, and it’s the perfect bridge between summer and winter to refresh your house and get it ready for the cold. What home renovations are you looking forward to this fall?

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DIY | Seasonal Preparations

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