What Are the Popular Trends for Kitchen Renovations in 2023?
Find out this year's most coveted colours, styles, upgrades and added extras for kitchens from surveyed homeowners
The 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study is out and it gives us unique insights into the plans that homeowners have for their kitchens this year; from the most popular kitchen style and the most covetable features, to on-trend colours and desirable high-tech ‘extras’. Have a look at what’s hot… and, like us, take pleasure in the revelation that regardless of homeowners’ aspirations, sustainability remains top of mind for people who have a new kitchen under their belts or in their sights.
Sustainability is shaping kitchens
Incorporating environmentally friendly features into their new kitchen is a pressing concern for Houzz users, with a whopping 95 percent making sustainable inclusions. These include:
Incorporating environmentally friendly features into their new kitchen is a pressing concern for Houzz users, with a whopping 95 percent making sustainable inclusions. These include:
- LED bulbs (71 percent).
- Energy-efficient appliances (63 percent).
- Water-efficient fixtures (49 percent).
And they are no fools, especially considering the current economy. The most common reason for incorporating sustainable options was long-run cost-effectiveness (75 percent). “Homeowners are gravitating towards sustainable choices during kitchen renovations, and it is interesting to see the intersection of economic solutions and environmental concerns,” says Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist.
“While the most frequently cited reason for incorporating sustainable options is long-run cost-effectiveness, making choices that are environmentally friendly is also top of mind for three in five renovating homeowners (60 percent).”
“In addition, we see homeowners continue to invest more in their kitchens than in any other areas of their homes, as they make major changes to their spaces,” she says.
Interestingly, the 2022 Australia Houzz & Home Survey (fielded from March to April 2022 and sent to Houzz Australia users) found that kitchen projects command the most significant investment in the home, with median spend on renovations increasing steadily from AU$15,000 in 2019 to AU$20,000 in 2021.
“While the most frequently cited reason for incorporating sustainable options is long-run cost-effectiveness, making choices that are environmentally friendly is also top of mind for three in five renovating homeowners (60 percent).”
“In addition, we see homeowners continue to invest more in their kitchens than in any other areas of their homes, as they make major changes to their spaces,” she says.
Interestingly, the 2022 Australia Houzz & Home Survey (fielded from March to April 2022 and sent to Houzz Australia users) found that kitchen projects command the most significant investment in the home, with median spend on renovations increasing steadily from AU$15,000 in 2019 to AU$20,000 in 2021.
Who is helping achieve these kitchen dreams?
It is apparent that DIY is dying, with homeowners increasingly turning to professionals to help achieve the kitchen of their dreams. The 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study showed that 94 percent of homeowners are working with a professional for their project. While tradespeople occupy the top spot (70 percent), kitchen designers are in high demand (40 percent).
And, in a sign of the times, three percent of homeowners hired a dedicated professional to advise them on eco-friendly options.
Join the crowd of people planning a kitchen update. Find a local, reviewed kitchen designer on Houzz
It is apparent that DIY is dying, with homeowners increasingly turning to professionals to help achieve the kitchen of their dreams. The 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study showed that 94 percent of homeowners are working with a professional for their project. While tradespeople occupy the top spot (70 percent), kitchen designers are in high demand (40 percent).
And, in a sign of the times, three percent of homeowners hired a dedicated professional to advise them on eco-friendly options.
Join the crowd of people planning a kitchen update. Find a local, reviewed kitchen designer on Houzz
Contemporary kitchens rule the roost
A contemporary-style kitchen is at the top of the wish list for renovators in 2023 (24 percent, followed closely by Modern (23 percent).
Hamptons (11 percent), Coastal (seven percent) and Country-style (four percent) kitchens will be less popular in homes this year.
A contemporary-style kitchen is at the top of the wish list for renovators in 2023 (24 percent, followed closely by Modern (23 percent).
Hamptons (11 percent), Coastal (seven percent) and Country-style (four percent) kitchens will be less popular in homes this year.
Light is right
And the colour of choice for a kitchen? That perennial favourite, white.
This neutral is the most favoured colour for kitchen walls (62 percent), as well as for components such as cabinetry (52 percent), benchtops (39 percent) and splashbacks (38 percent). When it comes to the colour of kitchen flooring, wood in a medium tone is the most popular choice (27 percent) followed closely by the same material in a light tone (23 percent).
Browse contemporary Australian kitchens featuring white cabinetry
And the colour of choice for a kitchen? That perennial favourite, white.
This neutral is the most favoured colour for kitchen walls (62 percent), as well as for components such as cabinetry (52 percent), benchtops (39 percent) and splashbacks (38 percent). When it comes to the colour of kitchen flooring, wood in a medium tone is the most popular choice (27 percent) followed closely by the same material in a light tone (23 percent).
Browse contemporary Australian kitchens featuring white cabinetry
Components are king
Other top material choices include:
Other top material choices include:
- Tiles for kitchen splashbacks (56 percent).
- Brushed nickel for handleware (21 percent).
A kitchen for all uses
The study also revealed how multi-functional we need today’s kitchens to be. While the majority of homeowners (97 percent) use the kitchen for cooking, they also bake (58 percent), eat (54 percent), entertain (48 percent) and socialise (39 percent) there. One in 10 homeowners (16 percent) also work from their kitchen.
It’s no surprise then that renovating homeowners are updating their appliances as part of their kitchen renovation to incorporate technology into their kitchen appliances. Wifi connectivity and smartphone/tablet controls (both 13 percent) and colour touchscreen displays (12 percent) rated the most desirable of possible electronic inclusions in this year’s kitchens.
Your turn
Which of these elements would you incorporate into your dream kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Find the 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study here.
The study also revealed how multi-functional we need today’s kitchens to be. While the majority of homeowners (97 percent) use the kitchen for cooking, they also bake (58 percent), eat (54 percent), entertain (48 percent) and socialise (39 percent) there. One in 10 homeowners (16 percent) also work from their kitchen.
It’s no surprise then that renovating homeowners are updating their appliances as part of their kitchen renovation to incorporate technology into their kitchen appliances. Wifi connectivity and smartphone/tablet controls (both 13 percent) and colour touchscreen displays (12 percent) rated the most desirable of possible electronic inclusions in this year’s kitchens.
Your turn
Which of these elements would you incorporate into your dream kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Find the 2023 Houzz Australia Kitchen Trends Study here.
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Here are the main takeaways…