“The Truth about Kitchen Renovations” Survey

The survey shows that homeowners across the country and across all age groups have been highly active in renovating and remodeling. Eight in 10 homeowners have renovated a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room in the last two years, and six in 10 have specific plans to do more in the next two years.

84% of homeowners have remodeled a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room in the last two years; 29% have upgraded all three rooms. 

Homeowners in urban areas have been most active in renovating – 86% of homeowners living in urban areas updated their kitchen, bathroom or laundry room in the last two years, compared to 76% of suburban homeowners and 69% of rural homeowners. 

64% said they plan to remodel their kitchen, bathroom or laundry room over the course of the next two years.

Among homeowners who completed renovations during the last two years, staying on budget and finding the right professionals were selected as the top challenges when remodeling. Among homeowners ages 18-30, nearly one-half said their top challenge was finding the right professionals for the project.    

Across all age groups, homeowners cited three most frequent challenges in renovations: staying on budget during a renovation (41%), finding the right professionals for the project (39%) and funding the project (33%).

All homeowners except for the 18-30 age group noted that the top challenge was staying on budget. 48% of homeowners between the ages of 18-30 said their top challenge was finding the right professionals for the project. 

Lifestyle changes drive renovations.

Across kitchen, bathroom and laundry room renovations, homeowners said adapting to a lifestyle change, such as a changing family size or accommodations due to a disability or aging, was the biggest reason for a renovation.    

The top three reasons why homeowners plan to renovate their kitchen are: adapting to lifestyle changes (41%), increasing property value before selling (38%) and improving the functionality of a space (38%). 

The top three reasons for renovating a bathroom are: adapting to lifestyle changes (45%), improving the functionality of a space (39%) and increasing property value before selling (36%). The top three reasons for renovating a laundry room are: adapting to lifestyle changes (47%), wanting to do it and finally having the money (46%) and improving the functionality/design of a space (43%).  

51% of homeowners identified modern as their ideal style for their kitchen and bathroom, followed by contemporary (29%), traditional (29%) and eclectic (28%). 

48% said they want their kitchens to say “I’m modern,” 39% want their kitchens to say “I’m stylish” and 35% want their kitchens to say “I work hard and I deserve this.” 

49% want their bathrooms to say “I’m modern,” 40% want their bathrooms to say “I’m stylish” and 36% want their bathrooms to say “I’m clean/organized.” 

“Smart” products and “green” features are hot

Nearly one-half of homeowners said they plan to buy “smart” internet-connected products for their kitchens, bathrooms or laundry rooms in the next year, with smart lighting systems the most popular product. More than one-half also said they plan to buy products with “green,” environmentally-friendly features in the next year, with energy-efficient lighting the top product on homeowners’ wish lists.

48% of homeowners said they plan on buying “smart” products for their kitchen, bathroom or laundry room in the next year. 

Smart products topping homeowners’ wish lists are: smart lighting systems (58%), hands-free faucets (52%) and Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerators (47%). 

51% of homeowners said they plan on buying products with “green” features for their kitchen, bathroom or laundry room in the next year. 

Most-wanted products with green features are: energy-efficient lighting (52%), energy-efficient dishwashers (49%), and water-conserving shower heads (45%), toilets (43%) and faucets (42%).