If the brand new yr indicators tackling long-awaited renovation initiatives for San Antonio owners, then an outdated kitchen must be excessive on the precedence checklist, in keeping with Houzz.
The net inside design platform simply launched its 2026 Kitchen Developments Examine, which surveyed practically 1,800 owners to find rising traits for latest, present, or deliberate kitchen renovation initiatives.
In comparison with final yr’s report, extra owners have gotten fed up with the dearth of performance of their deteriorating kitchens, a 3rd of respondents are pursuing renovations as a result of they lastly have the monetary means, and 1 / 4 are looking for enhancements to spice up their resale worth.
Relying on the size of the transform, main initiatives have a median price of $55,000, whereas minor kitchen renovations can have a median price of round $20,000, the report discovered. For a big kitchen space larger than 250 sq. ft, owners are spending a median $75,000 for a significant transform, whereas smaller kitchens are netting $46,000 for main renovations.
A majority of house owners (78 p.c), are altering their kitchen fashion throughout their transform, with transitional nonetheless main as the most popular fashion. In descending order, the second-to-last hottest types are conventional, trendy, up to date, farmhouse, and midcentury.
Prime fashion choicesIn a shift from earlier years, white cupboards are dropping their spark as essentially the most sought-after cupboard shade. Wooden tones have surpassed in reputation, with medium wooden tones changing into the subsequent pattern, adopted by mild and darkish tones.
Nonetheless, shades of white are nonetheless essentially the most most popular shade for owners who’re selecting contrasting colours for his or her higher and decrease cupboards. White and off-white dominate the checklist of trending higher cupboards, with wooden tones, blue, and inexperienced topping the checklist for contrasting decrease cupboard colours.
Impartial shade palettes are nonetheless drenching the partitions and flooring of kitchen remodels this yr, in keeping with Houzz. Off-white and white are the main wall shade selections, whereas wooden dominates owners’ flooring selection throughout renovations.
Wooden tones are all the fad in 2026.Picture by Robert Peterson (Rustic White Images) for Mister + Mrs. Sharp
Ceramic tile leads as the most well-liked new backsplash materials, and engineered quartz tops the alternatives for slab-style kitchen backsplashes. Engineered quartz additionally stays the No. 1 countertop choose for renovating owners, however curiosity has been waning since 2024.
Butcher block (often known as wooden slab) is surging in reputation for contrasting island counter tops, whereas engineered quartz and granite are the second- and third-most standard selections.
Addressing wants for growing older family membersA separate 2025 Houzz examine analyzing residence renovation traits revealed essentially the most sought-after upgrades centered round “growing older in place,” which means renovations that addressed the longer term wants of growing older owners that do not wish to transfer. And that pattern is continuous into 2026, the most recent report discovered.
“When addressing present particular wants in kitchen renovations, owners most frequently concentrate on growing older family members (31 p.c), and the share is up by 5 share factors yr over yr,” the report stated.
Virtually all owners (90 p.c) who’re addressing aging-in-place wants are including options to enhance accessibility and security.
The highest aging-in-place upgrades are:
Pullout cupboards with huge drawer pullsAdditional lighting (resembling recessed and undercabinet lights)Rounded countertopsNonslip floorsWheelchair-accessible doorwaysLower fixtures and countertopsShallow sinks
Trending upgraded merchandise and featuresMany giant kitchen options are getting a giant makeover this yr, as 91 p.c of house owners say they’re upgrading their counter tops, and 85 p.c are upgrading their backsplashes and sinks.
Over three quarters of house owners are including built-in options throughout their transform, resembling pantry cupboards, beverage stations, banquettes (upholstered bench seating most frequently constructed into partitions or corners), wine fridges, walk-in pantries, and extra.
“Baking stations (9 p.c) and butler’s pantries or prep kitchens (7 p.c) enchantment to smaller shares of renovating owners,” the report stated.
When upgrading cupboards, virtually all owners are incorporating built-in storage for particular wants. Having a visual trash can within the kitchen is falling out of trend, as 64 p.c of house owners stated they had been including pullout cupboards for waste or recycling to maintain them hidden. Different high enhancements for specialty storage embrace devoted area for cookie sheets or trays, spices, cutlery, a microwave, revolving nook trays, pullout cabinets, deep-drawer organizers, and organizers for pots and pans.
As for main home equipment, dishwashers and microwaves are essentially the most often put in upgrades throughout renovations.
“Renovating owners additionally typically add or replace cooktops (40 p.c) and wall ovens (29 p.c), whereas smaller shares choose forfood fridges (19 p.c), beverage fridges (18 p.c) or wine fridges (13 p.c),” Houzz stated.
Sustainability featuresEnergy environment friendly upgrades will not be solely environmentally pleasant, they’re additionally essentially the most price efficient selections that may enhance a house’s worth. In accordance with the report, LED lightbulbs, energy-efficient home equipment, and a “timeless design” are the highest three selections owners are incorporating as sustainable kitchen renovation options.
Different sustainable transform selections embrace:
Gentle dimmersWater-efficient fixturesEnergy-efficient windowsVOC-free paints, finishes, and coatingsEco-friendly flooring and supplies in generalNontoxic, sustainable cabinetsRecycled materialsHiring an “eco-focused” skilled
