What Homeowners Are Actually Spending Money On in Kitchen Remodels in 2026

Last updated: January 2026

Every year Houzz publishes a detailed survey of what homeowners across the country are doing in their kitchen remodels. The 2026 data reflects a market that has matured considerably since the pandemic remodeling boom. Homeowners are making more deliberate choices, prioritizing function alongside aesthetics, and spending more carefully. Here is what the numbers show, with some context from what we are seeing on the ground in Ann Arbor.

Countertops Are Still the Most Common Upgrade

Countertops remain the most frequently replaced element in a kitchen remodel, with the vast majority of homeowners tackling them as part of any significant project. Quartz continues to lead on material selection, valued for its durability and low maintenance. What has shifted is the aesthetic: the clean bright white quartz that dominated a few years ago is being replaced by options with more warmth and movement, stones with soft veining in cream, warm gray, and earthy tones.

Granite is holding steady as a close second. Quartzite is growing in popularity for homeowners who want the look of natural marble with better durability. Concrete and solid surface materials remain niche choices for the right project and the right homeowner.

On color, white is still the most popular countertop selection overall, but the definition of white has shifted considerably toward warmer, softer tones rather than the bright cool whites that defined earlier in the decade.

Cabinets: Still the Biggest Line Item

Cabinets are replaced completely in the majority of full kitchen remodels. Shaker style remains the dominant cabinet door profile by a wide margin because it works across a wide range of kitchen styles without feeling too specific to any one of them.

White is still the most common cabinet color overall, but the trend toward warm tones and two-tone configurations is real and growing. Warm whites, soft greiges, navy lowers, and natural wood accents are showing up consistently in Ann Arbor projects right now. Custom and semi-custom cabinets are chosen by most homeowners doing a serious remodel. Stock cabinets remain an option for focused refreshes on a tighter budget.

Islands: Bigger When Possible

Of homeowners who add or upgrade an island, a significant portion choose one that is seven feet or longer when the space allows. The island has become the social center of the kitchen, used for entertaining, homework, casual meals, and as a secondary workspace. If your kitchen can accommodate a larger island than you initially planned, the additional counter space, seating, and storage underneath almost always justifies it.

Flooring: Vinyl Has Arrived

Luxury vinyl plank flooring has changed the kitchen flooring conversation significantly. It has roughly doubled in market share over the past few years, and for good reason. It is waterproof, durable, comfortable underfoot, and now comes in designs that convincingly mimic wood and stone. Hardwood remains popular for homeowners committed to natural materials, but vinyl is no longer a compromise choice. It is increasingly the practical first choice for active households with kids and pets.

Storage: Pull-Outs and Deep Drawers

Pull-outs for trash and recycling remain one of the most consistently requested storage features in any kitchen remodel. Deep drawer storage for pots, pans, and everyday items is close behind. Specialty storage for baking sheets, spices, and cutlery is common in kitchens where the homeowner cooks seriously. We covered the full range of storage options in our kitchen storage guide.

Backsplashes: Full Height Is Now the Default

The full-height backsplash running from countertop to upper cabinets has become the standard rather than the exception. It is easier to clean than a partial backsplash, looks more finished, and has become what most homeowners expect when they walk into a well-designed kitchen. Ceramic and porcelain tile remain the most common material. Large-format tiles are increasingly popular for the same reason they are popular in bathrooms: fewer grout lines, cleaner look, easier maintenance.

Beverage Stations

Nearly one in five homeowners doing a kitchen remodel adds a dedicated beverage station or under-counter beverage refrigerator. The practical case is simple: it moves drink traffic out of the main kitchen during cooking and entertaining. We wrote about this in more detail in our beverage station guide.

Lighting: Under-Cabinet and Pendants

Under-cabinet lighting and recessed ceiling lighting remain the most valued functional lighting upgrades. Pendant lights over islands continue to grow in popularity as homeowners invest more attention in lighting design overall. The combination that works best in most Ann Arbor kitchens is recessed overhead lighting, under-cabinet task lighting on every counter run, and two or three pendants over the island, all on dimmer switches.

Technology: Charging, Not Gimmicks

Charging stations and docking areas built into the kitchen are a consistently requested feature. Homeowners want a dedicated, out-of-the-way place for phones and devices that keeps them off the counter. High-tech appliance features get attention in showrooms but see lower adoption in real projects. The technology that actually gets used every day tends to be simple and reliable rather than sophisticated.

How Much Does All of This Cost?

Every one of these decisions affects your project budget differently. For a full breakdown of what kitchen remodels cost in Ann Arbor in 2026, see our kitchen remodel cost guide. And for more on the specific design choices showing up in local projects right now, see our 2026 kitchen design trends post.

If you are ready to talk through your kitchen project, reach out here and we will walk through it with you.