April 22, 2019

By Leigh Spicher, national director of design studios for Ashton Woods

From brewing a warm cup of coffee at the crack of dawn to sneaking in for that midnight snack, the kitchen is the center of our day-to-day living. Today we are spending more time than ever in our kitchens and using them for more than just cooking culinary creations. Yet, according to our 2018 Ashton Woods National Homebuyer Survey (www.ashtonwoods.com/2018-ashton-woods-national-homebuyer-survey), nearly half of future homebuyers are frustrated with their kitchen space.

Warmth of Wood
Despite the all-white kitchen dominating the channels for nearly a decade, homebuyers are now ditching the hard-to-keep-clean white cabinets and trading them in for a warmer, more natural look. Natural stained wood cabinets are on the rise and are even being used in combination with white cabinets to warm up the kitchen and add more character with the texture of the wood. Our survey revealed all regions chose natural wood as the preferred cabinet choice over white and other popular options. We are also seeing a trend toward the more natural wood look in our buyers’ flooring choices. Homes with light, natural hardwood floors create a warmer look and can especially help soften a stark-white cabinet and countertop contrast.

                     This natural stained wood island warms up the kitchen and adds texture.

Luxury Abounds
While kitchen styles constantly change, homeowners are not changing their budget priorities. In fact, three out of four said the kitchen takes priority for luxury features over any other area of the home. Respondents in Orlando were more likely to say the lack of luxury features in their kitchen was a major point of frustration. Buyers in Dallas were even more likely to prioritize luxury features in the kitchen over other areas in the house than the national average. In fact, buyers are looking for multifunctional islands, specialized storage options, statement light fixtures, technology, luxury appliances and durable countertops all without sacrificing on design.

Countertop Choices
When it comes to countertops, buyers are choosing materials for their functionality, reliability and durability. Granite still rules supreme as the preferred choice according to our survey, but quartz is making its way to the top. Quartz was the second most popular option for residents in Dallas and Charleston and the third most popular for those in Austin, Atlanta and Orlando. As the trend of oversized kitchen islands becomes more popular, quartz is becoming a clear contender because of its availability in larger slabs for a more consistent design across the board. Buyers want the low-maintenance option without negative characteristics like the affinity for stains and bacteria. The variety of styles and colors and granite-like look makes it so appealing, and it instantly adds a touch of luxury. Because many quartz slabs emulate marble, many homeowners in our design studios assume it is marble before learning that it’s actually durable quartz. Interestingly, millennials were more likely to favor marble in our survey, which begs the question of whether or not they made the same assumption.

Changes in kitchen trends are exciting to see for us in the design space, but it’s important to remember that a good design that is personalized to a buyer’s needs outlives them all.