What Is the Top Houzz Kitchen Trend for 2020?

The 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study dropped this week, and no one is surprised that the kitchen island took first place as the must-have feature for the new year. What makes this year stand out from prior years, however, is that the kitchen island is evolving from a practical space for food preparation and entertainment to a statement piece rivaling art found in contemporary art museums. If builders are going to design a new house, the kitchen better have an island and other hot features that attract buyers looking for a sleek, eye-catching kitchen. 

The top must-have kitchen feature of 2020 is (drum roll, please) the kitchen island.

Nearly two-thirds of renovated kitchens include an island, according to a recent survey from design and remodeling site Houzz. The site surveyed nearly 2,600 homeowners who are planning, in the middle of, or just finished a kitchen project.

Granted, kitchen islands have been hot for a while. But these days, many homeowners are making them into statement pieces through shape and color. About 39% of folks create a focal point by contrasting the colors of the island's cabinets with the cabinets against the walls of the kitchen. About a quarter opted for gray hues, while a fifth chose blue colors, and one-tenth went for black. Black butcher tops and built-in appliances such as microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and cooktops were also popular for the islands, which can be L- or U-shaped.

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