Kitchens are a popular space for homeowners to focus their attention, even during market contraction, when they are looking to refresh their residence.
These rooms get plenty of daily use from a variety of family members, in addition to serving a number of important purposes. Not to mention, they include several major appliances; plumbing and electrical components; and other fixtures and features.
They must be well-maintained and occasionally touched up to ensure optimal functionality and appearance. Additionally, kitchen remodeling can improve both the value and livability of a home. Consequently, there is a healthy market for building products and supplies used in these types of home improvement activities.
Kitchen Remodeling Market Size and Forecast for 2026-2030
Kitchen remodeling projects involve the purchase of multiple product categories, including:
- Plumbing components and supplies
- Cabinets and countertops
- Appliances
- Light fixtures
- Paint and related supplies
- Flooring
- Building materials
They also cover a wide range of activities, from small touch ups and repairs to major remodels and expansions. Both professional contractors and DIY homeowners are actively involved in the market for relevant products and materials. It’s important to note that the home improvement products market is quite sensitive to the health of the housing sector as well as to basic indicators of consumer demand such as real income and relative prices. The strength of the economic recovery over the next one to two years is subject to considerable uncertainty.
However, based on findings in HIRI’s Quarterly Contractor Business Sentiment Tracker for Q1 2026, project activity remains resilient in core renovation areas, such as kitchens, which is driving consistent demand for structural and finish materials. About 51% of contractors had completed kitchen renovations over the past few months, down marginally from 57% in the same quarter of 2025. In HIRI’s Quarterly Homeowners Project Activity Tracker, about 15% of homeowners stated they were planning to do a medium-to-large sized ($5,000+) kitchen remodel over the next 12 months.
There are also some ways that kitchen remodeling trends differ by region. When looking at what homeowners completed medium-to-large sized kitchen remodels in HIRI’s 2025 Project Decision Study for Mid-to-Large Interior Projects:
- 37% were from the South
- 28% were from the Northeast
- 19% were from the West
- 16% were from the Midwest
How is the Kitchen Remodeling Market Expected to Grow This Year?
When it comes to consumers, the markets for several of the major product categories involved in kitchen remodels are expected to grow over marginally in 2026, as well as into 2030, based on data from HIRI’s U.S. Home Improvement Products Market Forecast. This includes:
- Kitchen and bath cabinets
- Paint and preservatives
- Doors and molding
- Hard-surface floor coverings
- Plumbing supplies
Meanwhile, major household appliances, often used in kitchen renovations, are projected to have a slightly negative growth rate in 2026, and then rebound over the next couple of years.
The pro market for kitchen remodeling products shows a similar forecast. Many of the main categories will see growth over the next few years, although it will be significantly less than the growth between 2020-2025. This includes:
- Plumbing supplies
- Paints and preservatives
- Doors and molding
- Kitchen and bath cabinets
- Hard-surface floor coverings
The one exception for pros is similarly in the major appliances category, which had a sizably negative CAGR in 2020-2025 and is now projected to have positive growth in 2026-2030.
How Much Do Kitchen Remodels Cost?
Interior projects make up a sizable share of larger home improvements, with kitchen remodels (along with bathroom renovations) driving the highest spending. According to According to HIRI’s 2025 Project Decision Study for Mid-to-Large Interior Projects, which focused on projects in the $5,000+ range, the median total spend on kitchen remodels in the past 12 months was $9,500, and the average spend was $16,023.
Major household appliances (including refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers) tend to be linked to the highest average annual spending among relevant product categories.
Satisfaction for kitchen remodels is high, with about 76% of homeowners expressing no regrets over their project. Additionally, the expected resale recovery is strong for kitchen remodels, reinforcing their role as a high-return interior investment.
Purchase Behaviors and Project Decision-Making Behaviors Related to Kitchen Remodels
When it comes to what influences homeowners to start a kitchen renovation, the main drivers for these activities tend to be increased home value, improved comfort, and enhanced aesthetics. About 20% of homeowners also want to improve energy efficiency through their kitchen improvements.
Many individuals see their kitchen as the heart of their home. It is a hub for gathering, eating, cleaning, and socializing. Remodeling enables them to maintain this space and ensure it continues to be a reflection of their current lifestyle.
As the housing market becomes tighter, homeowners may choose to stay in their existing residence for longer, while they wait for a new residence to become available. Repairs and renovations, particularly in a kitchen space, make that doable. Homeowners can extend the lifespan of their property, or at least its suitability for their needs, by updating various features for convenience, comfort, and functionality.
In a similar vein, new and first-time homeowners have less selection among housing inventory in the current market. As a result, they may choose a property that doesn't quite check off every box, and then do home improvements, like kitchen remodels, to make it a better fit.
Are Homeowners Doing Kitchen Remodels DIY or Hiring Pros?
Larger kitchen projects (those in the $5,000+ range) demand the most time, information, and professional input. The mode of completion for these activities over the past 12 months were:
- DIY and/or friends/family (9%)
- Both DIY and contractor (33%)
- Contractor (59%)
However, when it comes to more basic kitchen remodeling and repairs, DIY remains heavily used. Based on research in HIRI’s Quarterly Homeowners Project Activity Tracker, in the first quarter of 2026, only 16% of homeowners hired a kitchen/bath contractor and 12% hired a kitchen/bath designer. Although contractors are frequently involved in kitchen remodels, though, they are only purchasing materials and products for these projects about 23% of the time, which is lower than the percentage associated with other interior home improvement activities. About half of products are purchased by male heads of household (HOH).
How 2026-2029 Kitchen Remodeling Trends Impact Building Product Manufacturers
For manufacturers of kitchen remodeling products and materials, it's crucial to keep track of market and consumer trends and projections and then respond accordingly.
Where Purchases are Made
Kitchen remodels mirror broader purchase methods for home improvement projects. For example, despite the proliferation of online options and digital shopping, people still tend to prefer in-store visits to pick out materials and products for many of their home improvements.When asked in HIRI’s 2025 Project Decision Study for Mid-to-Large Interior Projects how materials were purchased for their project, homeowners responded:
- In-store pickup (60%)
- In-store delivery (41%)
- Online delivered (35%)
- Online with pickup in store (18%)
Additionally, about 35% of homeowners also purchased additional tools to complete their kitchen remodeling project.These sales channels must continue to be cultivated and supported to ensure you are reaching your target audience with your kitchen remodeling products and materials.
When Purchases Are Made
Another trend for manufacturers to be aware of is the average timeline from project conception to completion, as that may influence your marketing, advertising and business development strategies for a successful 2026. Typically, medium-to-large kitchen remodels take 63 weeks from the idea to completion. Half of that is spent in the idea-to-decision phase.
The idea to do a kitchen remodeling project arises during the first quarter of the year, following the winter holidays. About 40% of homeowners decide to pursue a project in the first quarter and about 27% make the decision in the second quarter of the year.Kitchen projects typically begin from February to April, and they take an average of 13.3 weeks to complete. About one quarter are finished in May and June, and 13% are completed in February.This gives building product manufacturers insight for strategizing marketing and advertising activities, as well as when demand for products is likely to be highest, according to the average project cycle.
Using Key Market Research to Inform Decision-Making
As a building product manufacturer, it's important to know what trends and consumer behaviors are affecting the market for home improvement activities, such as kitchen remodeling. This includes insights into the size of the market, where and how industry professionals and consumers are shopping for materials, and what projects are started when and why. The Home Improvement Research Institute provides its members access to a wide range of data and insights about customer behaviors, channel preferences, and product selections to help inform your business strategies and key decision-making.
FAQS:
What are the Latest Trends in Kitchen Remodeling?
Kitchen remodels remain a highly resilient project category because of lifestyle benefits, enhanced functionality, and increased resale value they provide. Some of the latest trends in kitchen remodeling in 2026 include integrating smart and sustainable features, updating appliances in older homes, creating space-saving layouts, and adding aging-in-place features. The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) offers a variety of studies that cover current trends and future projections for kitchen remodels and related product categories, including HIRI’s Biennial Project Decision Study, HIRI’s Quarterly Homeowner Activity Report and Quarterly Contractor Business Sentiment Tracker, and HIRI’s U.S. Home Improvement Products Market Forecast.
How is the Kitchen Remodeling Market Expected to Grow This Year?
Project activity remains resilient in core renovation areas, such as kitchens, which is driving consistent demand for structural and finish materials. The Home Improvement Research Institute’s Quarterly Contractor Business Sentiment Tracker for Q1 2026 found that about 51% of contractors had completed kitchen renovations over the past few months. In HIRI’s Quarterly Homeowners Project Activity Tracker for Q1 2026, about 15% of homeowners stated they were planning to do a medium-to-large sized ($5,000-plus) kitchen remodel over the next 12 months. All of the main product categories related to kitchen remodeling (including plumbing supplies, paints and preservatives, doors and molding, kitchen and bath cabinets, and hard-surface floor coverings) are also projected grow between 2026 and 2030, according to HIRI’s U.S. Home Improvement Products Market Forecast.
How Much Do Kitchen Remodels Usually Cost?
As a project category, kitchen remodeling covers a wide range of activities, from small touch ups and repairs to major remodels and expansions. That results in a relatively wide range for how much these projects cost, or roughly $10,000 to $20,000 for a minor cosmetic upgrade; $15,000 to $50,000 for a full kitchen update; and upwards of $50,000 for a full upscale remodel with structural changes. According to According to the Home Improvement Research Institute’s 2025 Project Decision Study for Mid-to-Large Interior Projects, which focused on projects in the $5,000+ range, the median total spend on kitchen remodels over the past year was $9,500, and the average spend was $16,023.
What Do Homeowners Want Most in Kitchen Renovations?
The main drivers for kitchen remodeling activities tend to be enhanced aesthetics, increased home value, improved comfort, and increased functionality, based on findings from the Home Improvement Research Institute’s 2025 Project Decision Study. They are maintaining, replacing, and/or improving the fixtures and surfaces that they use on a daily basis. That typically includes countertops, cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances, with painting being another activity typically included in kitchen remodels.
Are More People Doing Kitchen Remodels Themselves or Hiring Professionals?
Over the past few years, there’s been a shift in DIYers tackling kitchen remodels versus hiring professionals for the work, with more homeowners taking on minor improvements. However, larger and more complex kitchen projects continue to receive more time, information, and professional input. The Home Improvement Research Institute’s 2025 Project Decision Study for Mid-to-Large Interior Projects showed that contractors completed 59% of medium-to-large-sized projects in the $5,000-plus range). About 33% were done with a combination of DIY and professional help, and only 9% were completed using DIY labor and the help of friends and family.
