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 projects involve the purchase of multiple product categories, including
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.
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 projects involve the purchase of multiple product categories, including
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.
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. Here are some trends about how and where customers purchase kitchen remodeling products to factor into your marketing strategies:
Some of the channels using for purchasing products, materials and supplies for kitchen remodeling projects include:
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. For about three-fourths of kitchen remodels and repairs, homeowners report purchasing an item from a big-box retailer. Specialty stores are also utilized for about one-third of projects. To track changes, compare the latest channel usage data in our 2025 Project Decision Study against previous iterations of the study, all of which HIRI members have access to, in order to monitor channel performance shifts and trends over time.
There has been some growth in online purchasing of home improvements, however, and homeowners do a significant amount of online research regardless of where they end up buying their kitchen remodeling supplies and products. Search engines, local home improvement store websites, and generic home improvement apps and websites, and personal recommendations are the most important information sources. Kitchen projects tap into the broadest mix of information sources, while other interior efforts rely more narrowly on accessible and familiar guidance.
There’s still a high level of price sensitivity among homeowners in the U.S., but based on findings from Q4 2025, quality is once again the most important factor in purchase decisions, followed by durability, price, and ease of install. It’s important to note, though, that financial concerns and budget constraints contribute to cancellations and postponements. Often, when homeowners are particularly price sensitive, they may just delay or forego a project, rather than settling for less expensive materials and products. Both digital and physical sales channels must continue to be cultivated and supported to ensure you are reaching your target audience with your kitchen remodeling products and materials.
There are seasonal variations among purchase incidence rates for kitchen remodeling products that coincide with homeowners actually starting their project, which is highest during:
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, kitchen remodels require the greatest time investment among interior projects. The average length of time for a project, from having the idea to completing the work, is 63 weeks, based on findings in our Project Decision Study. About half of that time is spent in the first phase—idea to decision.
As with a majority of interior home improvements, project ideas cluster early in the year, as homeowners take stock of their living arrangements and plan out their year, and diffuse steadily. For kitchen remodeling, project decisions also peak earlier in the year, and the work most frequently begins between February and April. 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.
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 (HIRI) 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. If you're curious about the cost of becoming a member, our pricing guide breaks it down clearly and simply. Whether you're a manufacturer, retailer, or service provider invested in the future of the home improvement industry, learn more about the specific details of HIRI membership dues and see just how affordable it is to give your team the tools they need to succeed in today’s market.