Palo Alto, Calif. – During kitchen renovations, 69% of homeowners opt to update flooring, and 40% of those people choose engineered wood, vinyl and laminate surfaces, according to the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. The survey included more than 1,300 U.S. homeowners using Houzz who are in the midst of, are planning, or recently completed a kitchen project. Less than a quarter of homeowners opt for hardwood, which has declined in recent years from 32% in 2017, 30% in 2018 and 24% in 2019.

“Engineered materials are clearly taking over natural stone in countertops and flooring,” said Nino Sitchinava, Houzz principal economist. “Thanks in part to the versatility of these materials, white continues to dominate the kitchen, from cabinets to countertops and walls.”

Other trends included the rise in gray cabinetry. While white cabinets maintain their prevalence (43%), one in 10 homeowners choose gray (11%). Those who select gray cabinets are significantly more likely to pair them with brushed or satin nickel door hardware (52%) than those with white or wood cabinets.

Among the 93% who upgrade countertops, engineered quartz surpassed all of the natural stone materials combined in popularity (48% versus 43%, respectively), as granite continues a multi-year decline (40, 34, and 30% in 2017, 2018, and 2019 studies, respectively). White counters continue to trend up, representing nearly one in three upgraded countertops (22%, 27%, and 31%, respectively).

Among the 82% of renovating homeowners who change the style of their kitchen, farmhouse has seen steady gains, now nearly tying with contemporary for the second most popular style (14% versus 15%, respectively). Transitional still tops the list at 21%.

More than half of homeowners mix metal finishes across fixtures and hardware (54%). Among matched finishes, brushed or satin nickel is by far the top choice (44 %). Those that mix finishes also favor nickel, although many opt for oil-rubbed bronze or brushed or satin black finish for door hardware and lighting fixtures.

When deciding to remodel, aging in place is top of mind among over a third of baby boomers (37%). Those addressing aging are more likely to make their kitchens larger and more open and equip them with in-cabinet lighting, cooktops, wall ovens, touch-free faucets, and stone flooring.

For more information, visit www.houzz.com.