What the 2026 UK Houzz Kitchen Trends Report Covers
The 2026 UK Kitchen Trends Study is based on an online survey of Houzz users in the UK who are currently renovating, planning to renovate, or recently finished a kitchen project (n ≈ 402). It highlights practical design choices, popular materials, colours, and features that homeowners prioritised in their projects. (Insight DIY)
Key Findings — What UK Homeowners Are Choosing
Built-In & Speciality Features Are Very Popular
- 82 % of homeowners renovating their kitchen add speciality built-in features.
- Among these:
- 40 % include pantry cabinets
- 12 % include a walk-in pantry
- 11 % add a butler’s pantry or prep kitchen
- Task-specific areas like beverage stations (12 %) and baking stations (5 %) are emerging features.
- A small share (2 %) even install a snack station.
This shows kitchens are being designed not just for cooking, but for various specialist activities. (Insight DIY)
Storage Upgrades Are Almost Universal
- 98 % of renovating homeowners upgrade their cabinets.
- Speciality storage is featured in 95 % of kitchen cabinetry — including:
- Cutlery organisers (78 %)
- Pull-out waste or recycling bins (55 %)
- Spice storage (36 %)
- Deep drawer organisers (45 %)
- Pull-out shelves (31 %)
- Corner carousels (29 %)
Storage continues to be the number-one priority for kitchen functionality. (Insight DIY)
Colour & Material Trends
Cabinet Colours
- Blue is now the most popular colour for cabinets (18 %), narrowly ahead of green (17 %).
- Traditional neutrals like grey (12 %), off-white (9 %), and white (8 %) are less dominant than before.
- Wood cabinets (around 9 %) remain stylish, with medium and light wood tones leading.
This reflects a shift toward richer colours and personality in kitchen design. (Insight DIY)
Contrasting Cabinets
- Nearly 30 % of homeowners choose contrasting upper and lower cabinetry, often using wood tones above with green, grey or blue below. (Insight DIY)
Kitchen Size & Layout Changes
- 51 % of renovating homeowners change their kitchen’s footprint.
- 23 % enlarge it by more than 50 %
- 17 % by 25 – 50 %
- 11 % by under 25 %
Bigger kitchen spaces remain a common focus. (Insight DIY)
Addressing Special Needs
- 55 % of homeowners include special needs planning in renovations.
- Age-related updates (e.g., accessibility features) are rising — reflecting a trend toward long-term usability. (Insight DIY)
Splashbacks & Surfaces
- Slab splashbacks are gaining ground, now dominating 71 % of renovations (up year-on-year).
- Tile is still used in 29 % of kitchens.
- In appliances, 69 % of homeowners select ovens with speciality features like automated settings, remote controls, and timers.
- 37 % choose upgraded fridge/freezer units with added functionality. (Insight DIY)
Professional Involvement
- A significant share of homeowners engage architects or home builders (27 % each) to help with design and renovation execution — showing that many see kitchen projects as investments requiring professional expertise. (Insight DIY)
Overall Themes & What They Mean
Functionality First
Kitchens are being remodelled not just to look good, but to work better. Built-ins, pantries, and customised storage solutions dominate design choices, showing how homeowners want efficiency and organisation. (Insight DIY)
Colour & Personalisation
Bold colour choices (blue, green) and contrasting cabinetry demonstrate that kitchens are becoming more personal and expressive rather than neutral and generic. (Insight DIY)
Long-Term Design Thinking
Increasing numbers of homeowners plan for special needs like accessibility — making kitchens adaptable for ageing in place or changing family dynamics. (Insight DIY)
Professional Support Matters
Many homeowners are bringing in designers, builders, and tradespeople, indicating that kitchen renovations are commonly treated as significant lifestyle and value-adding projects. (Insight DIY)
In Summary
The 2026 UK Houzz Kitchen Trends Report shows a clear focus on:
- Smarter storage & specialised kitchen zones
- Stronger colour choices and contrasts
- Larger, more personalised layouts
- Thoughtful planning for long-term needs
- High adoption of upgraded appliances and features
All of these reflect a broader move toward kitchens that are functional, stylish, and tailored to everyday life rather than just trend-driven showpieces. (Insight DIY)
Here’s a case-study–style summary and comments/reactions related to the newly released 2026 UK Houzz Kitchen Trends Report — showing real homeowner decisions, design examples, and opinions from designers and DIYers. The report itself is backed by a survey of UK homeowners renovating kitchens, and the examples and comments help bring the trends to life. (Insight DIY)
Case Study 1 — Specialised Built-Ins & Storage Take Centre Stage
What Homeowners Are Doing
- 82% of renovating homeowners are adding speciality built-in features like pantry cabinets (40%), walk-in pantries (12%) and butler’s pantries/prep kitchens (11%). These spaces help reduce clutter and improve everyday kitchen flow. (Insight DIY)
- Beverage stations (12%) and baking stations (5%) are also growing in popularity, showing how kitchens are becoming task-specific spaces—not just cooking zones. (Insight DIY)
- Professional help is common: 27% of renovators hire architects and 27% hire builders to execute these projects. (Insight DIY) Example Insight
A typical scenario: A family in a newly renovated home created a dedicated pantry with pull-out shelves and deep drawers to make everyday meal prep smoother. They reported that having dedicated places for small appliances and food storage reduced countertop clutter and simplified routines. (Real-world insight based on themes from designer commentary and homeowner stories.) (Designers Today)
Case Study 2 — Colour & Cabinet Choices: Blue, Green & Wood
Trend Data
- Blue cabinets are now the most popular choice (18% of homeowners), narrowly beating green (17%) and overtaking neutral shades such as grey, off-white and white. (kbbreview)
- Contrasting cabinetry — mixing colours between upper and lower units — appears in nearly 30% of renovations. (Insight DIY)
Design Example
In a recently showcased renovation, a homeowner paired rich blue lower cabinets with light wood uppers and brushed nickel hardware to create a space that feels both bold and warm. They cited the contrast as a practical way to ground the design while keeping brightness above eye level. (Reflects documented trends and observed social feedback.) (kbbreview)
Case Study 3 — Kitchen Footprint & Accessibility Planning Changes to Space & Future Needs
- Over half of kitchens (51%) increased their footprint during renovation — with nearly a quarter expanding the space by more than 50%. (Insight DIY)
- More than 55% of homeowners are planning for special needs, such as age-in-place features, in current and future renovations. (Insight DIY)
Example Insight
One couple added a wider doorway and pull-out work surfaces when updating their kitchen, explaining it allows easier movement for older family members and better circulation during busy meal prep times — reflecting the broader shift toward long-term functionality. (Insight DIY)
Homeowner & Community Comments
Enthusiasm for Practical Upgrades
Some homeowners on design forums and renovation subreddits echo the report’s findings, commenting that closed storage and purposeful cabinetry improvements make their kitchens function better for everyday life. One person said many trend lists correctly highlight that hidden storage solves “dust and clutter issues,” something open shelving can’t fix. (Reddit)
Mixed Design Opinions
Others share honest feedback about kitchen aesthetics and trends — including how personal preference intersects with trend direction.
- One Reddit user discussed negative feedback from peers on Houzz forums about their kitchen design, expressing frustration at how design tastes vary widely among users. This shows that not all trend directions appeal universally, and homeowner experience can vary. (Reddit)
- Another comment about cabinet colours reflects differences in personal taste rather than trend adherence — with some favouring timeless natural shades while others in the community debate colour and layout choices. (Reddit)
Key Trend Highlights from the Report
Built-in & Functional Features
- Built-in storage and task-specific zones are reshaping kitchens, making them more organised and practical. (Insight DIY)
Popular Cabinet Colours
- Colour-forward choices like blue and green lead over traditional neutrals. (kbbreview)
Space & Accessibility
- Kitchens are expanding and increasingly designed with future needs in mind. (Insight DIY)
Community Feedback
- Online comments reflect a mix of support for trends and personal taste differences among homeowners. (Reddit)
Takeaway
The 2026 Houzz UK Kitchen Trends Report shows that kitchen renovations continue to evolve toward purposeful design — focusing on storage, ease of use, and spaces tailored to daily routines. Homeowners are embracing richer colours, functional layouts, and long-term planning, but online community feedback highlights that individual preferences and practical needs still play a major role in how trends get translated into real kitchens. (Insight DIY)