U.S. Kitchen Remodeling Statistics 2026: Costs, Scope & Trends
In this guide View sections +
Data cutoff: September 13, 2026
Geographic focus: United States unless a table says otherwise
Kitchen remodeling statistics can look contradictory when a three-year government estimate is placed beside a one-year survey, or when a median is compared with an average. This source-first guide keeps those measures separate. It compiles reported facts from the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS), Houzz Research, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).
NOZLOO publishes this as a neutral planning and citation resource. We make kitchen sinks, but this page does not rank products, estimate a particular sink installation or turn an industry forecast into a consumer fact. Every figure is tied to its population, data period and original source.
Download the source ledger (CSV)
Key takeaways
- 51.6 million U.S. homeowners made at least one home improvement during 2021–2023. (U.S. Census Bureau/HUD, 2023 AHS)
- The same federal source estimates 5.0 million kitchen-remodel projects during that three-year period. (U.S. Census Bureau/HUD, 2023 AHS)
- Those kitchen projects represented $83.1 billion in expenditures during 2021–2023. (U.S. Census Bureau/HUD, 2023 AHS)
- Among Houzz users who completed a remodel by mid-2025, median spending was $55,000 for a major kitchen remodel. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- The comparable Houzz median for a minor kitchen remodel was $20,000. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- 87% of Houzz respondents renovating a kitchen hired at least one professional. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- 52% changed or planned to change the kitchen layout. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- 85% upgraded or planned to upgrade the sink. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- 82% upgraded or planned to upgrade the faucet. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- 88% incorporated at least one feature that Houzz classified as sustainable. (Houzz Research, 2026 study)
- NAR estimated 60% cost recovery for a complete kitchen renovation and 60% cost recovery for a minor kitchen upgrade in its 2025 project model. (NAR/NARI, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report)
- A kitchen upgrade received a 10 out of 10 Joy Score from consumers in NAR's 2025 report. (NAR/NARI, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report)
These are not all estimates of the same thing. The Census figures cover a three-year national period; Houzz surveyed registered users with a recent, current or planned project; NAR combined separate consumer, contractor and REALTOR® studies. The sections below retain those boundaries.
How large is the U.S. kitchen-remodeling market?
Two credible sources give different-looking totals because they measure different periods and units. The federal 2023 American Housing Survey (AHS) infographic covers improvements reported for 2021–2023. JCHS separately tabulated one-year 2023 AHS data for owner-occupied-home improvement spending.
| Measure | Result | Population and period |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner base in the federal improvement analysis | 86.9 million | U.S. homeowners, 2021–2023 |
| Share making at least one improvement | 59% | U.S. homeowners, 2021–2023 |
| Total homeowner improvement expenditures | $827 billion | U.S. homeowners, 2021–2023 |
| Median spent on improvements per improving owner | $6,500 | U.S. homeowners, 2021–2023 |
| Owner-occupied improvement spending | $405 billion | U.S. owner-occupied homes, 2023 |
| Kitchen remodels' share of owner improvement spending | 10.1% | U.S. owner-occupied homes, 2023 |
| Homeowners reporting a kitchen-remodel project | 2.483 million | U.S. homeowners, 2023 |
| Total expenditures reported for those kitchen remodels | $40.674 billion | U.S. homeowners, 2023 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau/HUD 2023 AHS home-improvements infographic, and JCHS Improving America's Housing 2025, Figure 8 and Table A-1.
The totals should not be merged. One is a three-year project/expenditure view and the other is a one-year JCHS tabulation of the AHS. “Projects” and “homeowners reporting projects” are also different units.
Why are homeowners remodeling their kitchens?
Houzz asked registered U.S. users who had completed a kitchen remodel or addition in the previous 12 months, were working on one, or planned to begin one within six months. Respondents could cite project triggers; the percentages therefore should not be added together.
| Reported trigger | Share of renovating homeowners |
|---|---|
| Dissatisfaction with the old kitchen style | 41% |
| Kitchen deterioration or dysfunction | 38% |
| Having the financial means | 33% |
| Improving resale value | 25% |
| Personalizing a recently purchased home | 24% |
| Addressing disaster damage | 4% |
| Addressing safety or health concerns | 3% |
Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, page 5. The survey was fielded July 6–30, 2025; findings describe completed, current and planned projects during 2025–2026.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
There is no single national “2026 kitchen-remodel price.” The best available sources use different definitions and collection windows. Houzz reports spending by users who completed projects by mid-2025. The federal AHS reports an earlier three-year median. JCHS reports 2023 averages and applies explicit major/minor thresholds.
| Measure | Amount | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Median, major remodel of a kitchen at least 250 sq. ft. | $75,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| Median, major remodel of a kitchen under 250 sq. ft. | $46,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| Median, minor remodel of a kitchen at least 250 sq. ft. | $25,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| 90th-percentile spend, major remodel overall | $150,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| 90th-percentile spend, major remodel under 250 sq. ft. | $120,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| 90th-percentile spend, minor remodel overall | $50,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| 90th-percentile spend, minor remodel at least 250 sq. ft. | $53,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| 90th-percentile spend, minor remodel under 250 sq. ft. | $44,000 | Houzz completed projects by mid-2025 |
| Median kitchen-remodel expenditure | $8,000 | Federal AHS, U.S. homeowners, 2021–2023 |
| Average kitchen-remodel expenditure | $16,383 | JCHS tabulation of the AHS, U.S. homeowners, 2023 |
| Average major kitchen-remodel expenditure | $48,010 | JCHS tabulation, 2023 |
| Average minor kitchen-remodel expenditure | $7,084 | JCHS tabulation, 2023 |
Sources: Houzz 2026 study, page 9; U.S. Census Bureau/HUD 2023 AHS infographic; JCHS Table A-1.
Houzz defines a major kitchen remodel as replacing at least all cabinets and appliances. JCHS calls professional kitchen projects over $30,000 and DIY kitchen projects over $12,000 “major.” Those definitions alone can create large gaps. For sink-specific budgeting, use the separate farmhouse sink price guide rather than treating whole-kitchen averages as a sink quote.
For project-specific measurement planning, use NOZLOO's farmhouse sink and faucet reach calculator. It is a geometry-planning aid for an individual setup, not a national cost or market-data estimate.
How much of the kitchen footprint and layout changes?
Most surveyed projects kept roughly the same footprint, but layout work was common. These figures describe the Houzz-user sample, not every U.S. household.
| Scope or layout measure | Share |
|---|---|
| Upgraded home systems | 42% |
| Updated walls | 33% |
| Changed the ceiling | 11% |
| Moved the kitchen to another location | 5% |
| Structurally changed the flooring | 4% |
| Chose an L-shaped plan among changed layouts | 35% |
| Chose a U-shaped plan among changed layouts | 31% |
| Chose a galley plan among changed layouts | 14% |
| Kept the kitchen about the same size | 68% |
| Made the kitchen somewhat larger, up to 50% | 26% |
| Made the kitchen more than 50% larger | 6% |
| Finished under 100 sq. ft. | 12% |
| Finished at 100–199 sq. ft. | 38% |
| Finished at 200 sq. ft. or more | 50% |
Source: Houzz 2026 study, pages 6–7. For practical work-zone ideas rather than more survey data, see NOZLOO's separate functional farmhouse kitchen design guide.
Which professionals do kitchen renovators hire?
Within the Houzz sample, the most frequently hired provider types were:
| Provider type | Share of renovating homeowners |
|---|---|
| General contractor | 48% |
| Building specialist | 42% |
| Cabinetmaker | 34% |
| Kitchen designer | 22% |
| Design-build firm | 13% |
| Interior designer | 12% |
| Architect | 11% |
| Dedicated kitchen remodeler | 9% |
Source: Houzz 2026 study, page 14. Categories can overlap because one project may use several professionals.
Which kitchen features are upgraded most often?
The Houzz survey shows that a kitchen remodel commonly touches multiple finish and equipment categories at once.
| Feature or project choice | Share |
|---|---|
| Countertops upgraded | 91% |
| Backsplash upgraded | 85% |
| Cabinets upgraded | 84% |
| Lighting fixtures upgraded | 78% |
| Flooring upgraded | 65% |
| All appliances replaced | 51% |
| Some appliances replaced | 32% |
| Wall finish upgraded | 44% |
| Windows upgraded | 29% |
| Island added or updated | 58% |
| Upgraded island longer than 7 feet | 52% |
| Upgraded island with a rectangular shape | 80% |
| At least one new appliance installed in the island | 53% |
| New-appliance island projects adding a dishwasher | 35% |
Source: Houzz 2026 study, pages 11–13, 27 and Appendix C. Island percentages use the relevant island-upgrade subgroup where the report specifies it.
What do the data say about sinks, faucets and cleanup zones?
The headline sink and faucet upgrade rates appear in the Key Takeaways and are intentionally not repeated here. Among homeowners purchasing a new faucet, Houzz reported the following feature choices:
| Faucet or cleanup-zone measure | Share |
|---|---|
| Chose a faucet with at least one listed special feature | 45% |
| Chose water efficiency | 24% |
| Chose touch control | 19% |
| Chose touch-free activation | 5% |
| Chose a touch-screen | 1% |
| Purchased a garbage disposal among small-appliance purchasers | 63% |
Source: Houzz 2026 study, pages 48 and 59. “Water efficiency” is a respondent-selected feature in this survey; it is not a claim that every kitchen faucet or sink carries a particular efficiency certification.
Whole-kitchen statistics cannot answer whether a specific sink will fit a cabinet or what labor it needs. Those questions belong in model- and installation-specific resources such as the fireclay sink installation cost guide.
Which sustainability features are homeowners choosing?
Houzz reported option-selection rates among qualifying kitchen renovators, then separately asked those who incorporated sustainable options why they did so.
| Sustainable feature or motivation | Share | Population |
|---|---|---|
| LED lightbulbs | 64% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Energy-efficient appliances | 56% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Timeless design | 48% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Light dimmers | 47% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Water-efficient fixtures | 30% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Energy-efficient windows | 28% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| VOC-free paints or finishes | 22% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Eco-friendly flooring | 16% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Other eco-friendly materials | 14% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Nontoxic cabinets | 12% | Qualifying kitchen renovators |
| Long-term cost effectiveness as a motivation | 72% | Sustainable-option adopters |
| Environmental friendliness as a motivation | 53% | Sustainable-option adopters |
| Health reasons as a motivation | 14% | Sustainable-option adopters |
| Federal incentives as a motivation | 3% | Sustainable-option adopters |
Source: Houzz 2026 study, pages 54–55. These are reported selections and motivations, not measured energy or water savings. The last four rows use the adopter subgroup.
Which styles and materials are appearing in renovated kitchens?
This table is a snapshot of the Houzz sample, not a recommendation or a prediction. It stays deliberately narrow so it does not replace NOZLOO's fuller guide to whether farmhouse sinks are still in style.
| Observed choice | Share |
|---|---|
| Changed the kitchen style | 78% |
| Chose transitional among those changing style | 25% |
| Chose farmhouse among those changing style | 9% |
| Chose wood-tone cabinets | 29% |
| Chose white cabinets | 28% |
| Chose engineered-quartz countertops | 32% |
| Chose solid wood for cabinet fronts | 71% |
| Chose Shaker cabinet doors | 58% |
| Chose ceramic or porcelain tile flooring | 22% |
| Chose stained or unstained hardwood flooring | 22% |
Source: Houzz 2026 study, pages 17–18, 36, 40, 42, 53 and Appendix A. Denominators vary by question; the source ledger records each one.
What do kitchen professionals expect over the next three years?
The NKBA findings are forecasts from industry professionals, not observations of completed homeowner choices. Its online survey included 634 qualified respondents from the NKBA community and an augmented third-party sample; designers supplied 67% of responses. Respondents had designed, specified or sold products for at least one kitchen project in the prior year. The public release does not provide a geographic split for every finding.
| Professional expectation | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| Kitchen footprint will increase | 76% |
| Neutral colors will be popular | 96% |
| Transitional or timeless style will be popular | 72% |
| Contemporary, modern or minimalist style will be popular | 60% |
| Organic or natural style will be popular | 58% |
| Dedicated beverage areas will be popular | 85% |
| Natural lighting is an important design consideration | 95% |
| Quality lighting is an important design consideration | 93% |
| Task lighting for work zones is an important design consideration | 92% |
Source: NKBA 2026 Kitchen Trends Report press release and methodology, published September 18, 2025. These expectations cover the three years following the study and should not be blended with Houzz's homeowner-choice percentages.
Does a kitchen remodel improve resale value or homeowner satisfaction?
NAR's 2025 report uses three separate studies: an online survey of 806 consumers who had completed a remodeling project, a cost survey with 177 NARI-member responses, and a value survey with 4,005 REALTOR® responses from a random sample of members. The REALTOR® survey's adjusted response rate was 4.0%.
| Kitchen-related outcome | Result |
|---|---|
| Joy Score for a complete kitchen renovation | 9.7 out of 10 |
| REALTORS® recommending a kitchen upgrade before selling | 30% |
| REALTORS® seeing increased demand for kitchen upgrades in the prior two years | 48% |
| REALTORS® seeing increased demand for complete kitchen renovations in the prior two years | 26% |
Source: NAR/NARI 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, pages 7, 11–12 and 27.
Cost recovery is a modeled resale estimate, not a promise that a seller will receive that return. The Joy Score is a survey index, not a financial metric. Neither should be applied to a specific home without local market and project information.
How should these kitchen-remodeling statistics be interpreted?
Use three checks before quoting a number:
- Match the population. AHS estimates aim at U.S. housing; Houzz represents registered U.S. Houzz users who met project criteria; NKBA surveys qualified industry participants; NAR's report combines consumers, NARI companies and REALTORS®.
- Match the time period. Publication year is not always data year. A “2026” report may rely on a survey fielded in 2025, while government estimates may cover 2021–2023.
- Match the measure. Average and median are not interchangeable. A project count is not a homeowner count. A forecast of popularity is not observed adoption. A modeled recovery percentage is not guaranteed resale profit.
For example, the Houzz study methodology reports 1,780 qualified respondents and a 120-question survey. Its results were weighted to the Houzz user population, not to all U.S. homeowners. The downloadable source ledger labels every entry as observed, forecast or modeled and records its geography, population, data period, publication date, source page or table and last verification date.
Cite this page
Original visualization: The downloadable charts on this page were designed and assembled by NOZLOO from the cited primary-source figures. The underlying statistics remain attributed to Houzz Research.
- Primary source for these charts: Houzz Research, 2026 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study, page 9.
- Last updated and fact-checked: September 13, 2026.
- Canonical page: https://nozloo.com/blogs/guides/kitchen-remodeling-statistics
Suggested citation: NOZLOO. “U.S. Kitchen Remodeling Statistics 2026: Costs, Scope & Trends.” Last updated September 13, 2026. https://nozloo.com/blogs/guides/kitchen-remodeling-statistics
You may reuse the PNG charts with their printed source, population, period and claim-ID notes intact. No backlink is required.
When will this page be updated?
NOZLOO will review this page quarterly for major revisions from JCHS, NAR and NKBA and perform a full annual refresh when Houzz publishes its next U.S. kitchen study. The year in the title will change only when the underlying figures and revision notes are actually updated.
Revision history
- September 13, 2026: Initial source-audited draft prepared from the 2023 AHS, JCHS 2025 report, Houzz 2026 study, NAR 2025 report and NKBA 2026 trends release.
What questions are not answered by this data set?
The source set does not provide a nationally representative 2026 price quote for a particular kitchen, a kitchen-only schedule-overrun rate, a kitchen-only budget-overrun rate, or performance data for an individual sink model. Those are intentional gaps rather than estimates to fill with unsupported numbers.
For a real project, use these statistics to set context, then obtain local quotes and verify cabinet size, plumbing, support requirements, lead times and product specifications for the exact kitchen.
Primary-source notes
- U.S. Census Bureau and HUD: 2023 American Housing Survey; federal estimates in the linked infographic and AHS Table Creator.
- JCHS: Original tabulations of 2023 AHS data in Improving America's Housing 2025.
- Houzz Research: Original online survey of registered U.S. Houzz users, weighted to the Houzz user population; fielded July 6–30, 2025.
- NAR/NARI: Original consumer, contractor-cost and REALTOR® value surveys described in the report methodology.
- NKBA: Original professional survey; projections are explicitly labeled as expectations rather than completed-project observations.
