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Kitchen Renovation : Granite, Quartz, and Marble > WELCOME TO KITCHEN & BATH TRENDS
kitchen remodel

Jackson Stoneworks Kitchen Remodeling

by JSW Blogger |November 3, 2022 |0 Comments | Uncategorized

The holiday season is almost upon us. Apart from activities and hustling around the houses, homeowners scramble to get their homes a facelift before opening their doors to the guests. So, this festival season, let’s go for complete kitchen remodeling with Jackson Stoneworks. We do not need any introduction to affordable kitchen remodeling in the shortest possible time. Our professionals are on standby, awaiting your approval to get started.

This is how you would go for kitchen remodeling. The result will be a perfect blend of class and utility.

New Countertops

It might seem like a significant effort to replace your kitchen countertops, but it’s simpler than you think, especially with the assistance of Jackson Stoneworks. Jackson Stoneworks has quickly assisted hundreds of builders, kitchen interior designers, realtors, and homeowners in finding the ideal countertop for their requirements. A new set of countertops will undoubtedly make your kitchen feel brand-new. Who wouldn’t want a fresh surface to bake their holiday cookies on, too?

Reimagine Your Cabinet System

You may be underestimating the significance of your cabinets. They provide storage for all the dishware and utensils needed to host your family and friends during the holiday season. Adding new cabinetry can provide a new home for your dishes throughout the hectic time of year, the holiday season. With the assistance of the staff at Jackson Stoneworks, picking out new cabinets doesn’t have to be challenging.

Retouch The Floors

Any kitchen will look antiquated and dull with stained or unclean floors. You don’t want your guests to picture your kitchen this way when they visit. Many visitors will cluster in your kitchen as they arrive at your house for the holidays to help you cook or observe. It would help if you had floors that can withstand the strain while maintaining their attractiveness in the kitchen because there is so much foot activity in and out there. Nothing is more satisfying than receiving praise for your flooring’s aesthetic.

Let There Be [New] Lights

Good lighting is a need in every kitchen. It’s essential to plan your kitchen with dimmer-controlled work lights and overhead lighting. Most kitchens have adequate overhead lighting but lack under-cabinet lighting, which is crucial for improving your kitchen’s efficiency and aesthetic appeal. 

The Best Time for Kitchen Remodeling

Significant work on your kitchen is also trendy during the fall and winter.

Another good reason to renovate the center of your house – as we approach the winter – is to ensure all the critical work is finished before the Christmas season. 

It’s nice to show off your tastefully renovated kitchen and dining area to your visitors for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner! 

Feeling intrigued? Jackson Stoneworks is just a call away! (352) 372-6600

clutter free kitchen

How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Kitchen

by JSW Blogger |October 27, 2022 |2 Comments | Uncategorized

Create Calm, Clear Surfaces

From quick weekday breakfasts to special-occasion dinners planned and prepared with care, the kitchen is nearly always a hub of household activity — which also means it’s a common place for clutter to accumulate. Here we look at ways of clearing the clutter and creating a beautiful, useful space in the kitchen.

Kitchen counters can quickly become cluttered with mail, shopping bags, small appliances, and kitchen tools and gadgets. Once these surfaces are full, preparing meals becomes much more challenging. Plus, just the sight of a cluttered counter can add to your daily stress. Reclaim clean, clear space on your kitchen surfaces to make room for cooking.

Take action: Start by completely clearing off and cleaning your kitchen counters, one at a time. Before putting anything back, consider what you honestly need to access on a daily basis. These are the items worthy of prime counter space — for example, your coffeepot, a jar of wooden spoons and a favorite cutting board or fruit bowl. Aim to find a different home for everything else, inside a cupboard or on a shelf.

If your kitchen also happens to function as an entry for your home, dedicate a specific spot to store keys and mail (for example, a dish for keys and a tray for mail) so that these items don’t spread over your freshly cleared counter.

Choose Your Essentials

Instead of focusing on what to get rid of, choose to look at clearing clutter in a positive light, and ask yourself this: What do I love and use in my kitchen?

Focus on clearing prime space (top drawers and easy-to-reach cabinets) for the pots, pans, tools and dishes you use daily. Highly specialized cooking gadgets have their place (and if there’s one you love and use, by all means keep it!), but allowing these items to take up space front and center will only make it harder to work in your kitchen.

Take action: Without looking in your kitchen cupboards, think through a typical day of preparing meals at home, and make a list of the pots, pans, cooking tools and dishes you use to make that happen. Make sure these items are stored in the drawers, cabinets and shelves that are easiest to reach.

Look at what’s left in the other areas, and see if you can let go of some cooking tools, small appliances or excess food storage containers that you rarely (or never) use.

Rethink Nooks and Corners

If your kitchen is compact and galley-style, this may not apply — but if you have a bit more space to play with, take a moment to consider how you are using that space. It’s clear how the main work area of the kitchen should be used (for cooking, chopping and washing up), but when it comes to the nooks and corners, it’s really up to you.

Think about what you want from this space: a nook to read, a tidy desk to pay bills, an art corner for your child? Let yourself daydream a bit, and note down what you come up with.

Take action: Once you’ve decided how you want to use your kitchen nook or corner, gather the items you want to have in this space. If items are collecting here that do not serve the purpose of this area, move them out.

For example, if your goal is to create a quiet corner to read while a pot of soup simmers on the stove, create a comfy seating area — and take out the unnecessary and distracting stuff, like piles of bills and old shopping bags.

Make Space for Simple Pleasures

The kitchen is a hardworking space, but it can also be where we gather and relax. Whether you’re enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day or listening to a favorite podcast while washing the dishes, consider which simple pleasures you can incorporate into your space and your routine.

Take action: Thinking through each part of the day, consider what small item or routine you could add to make your time in the kitchen a bit more pleasurable. Here are a few ideas:

  • A radio or dock for listening to music or podcasts
  • Fresh flowers in a vase
  • A pot of fresh herbs on the windowsill
  • A candle to light beside you while you wash dishes
  • A pair of stools so people can chat while you cook
kitchen countertop

New Kitchen before the New Year

by JSW Blogger |October 20, 2022 |2 Comments | Uncategorized

Homeowners are eating at home much more these days — and that means the heart of the home has been getting a workout. 

With the pandemic-induced zeal for sourdough bread and big holiday meals, an increasing number of homeowners are starting to look at how to improve their kitchen. Among the top reasons for a kitchen remodel are the desire for more functional space and better organization, according to according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). 

2020-2021, the percentage of homeowners actively working on home remodeling projects increased from 19 percent in the first quarter, before the pandemic hit, to 36 percent by the end of the second quarter. In addition to wanting to spruce up the spaces where they’re spending more time, some homeowners are redirecting dollars saved from canceled vacation travel other planned expenses into home improvement projects. 

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel or even new kitchen cabinets, here are a few ideas and tips:

When planning a kitchen renovation, it’s critical to take a step back and think about what you need in your new kitchen. For a successful remodel, take inventory of what currently works in your kitchen, where you could use more storage and what areas of your kitchen could use improvement.

Before you embark on a kitchen remodel, it is helpful to take inventory of the items you don’t have enough storage for now and share those with our kitchen specialists at Jackson Stoneworks. This will ensure our designers clearly understands your needs and incorporates solutions into your design.

Kitchens have always been the heart of the home, but their role as a gathering place has really been cemented since the recent pandemic. 

According to NKBA’s annual Market Outlook study: 

  • 55 percent of respondents are spending more time cooking and eating at home 
  • 45 percent are spending more time in the kitchen 
  • 30 percent are buying and storing more groceries in bulk quantities 
  • 13 percent are using the kitchen for remote work and learning. 

That means that a family’s lifestyle will play a role in a new kitchen design. Do you have kids? Are they enthusiastic bakers? Do they have stone countertops? Finding out how you use your space is key to meeting needs through design. 

4 Reasons to Add a Kitchen Island

by JSW Blogger |October 13, 2022 |2 Comments | Countertops, Kitchen Trends

Adding a kitchen island to your next kitchen design plan is a great way to make the most of your available space. When most people picture kitchen islands they typically picture something large and built-in. However, this does not have to be the case. 

Today, kitchen islands are made in a variety of sizes, styles, and configurations. In this quick blog post, we are going to talk about 4 reasons why we think a kitchen island is beneficial to your next design. 

1. Expand Your Worksurfaces

The number one benefit of adding a kitchen island to your kitchen design is that it gives you more countertop space to work. This means that you can say goodbye to cluttered countertops that make it too easy to spill or knock over a container. You can incorporate this new countertop space into your kitchen work triangle by taking a moment to plan your new workflow. 

Kitchen Island

The kitchen work triangle is a way to conceptualize kitchen design that focuses on finding a balance between aesthetics and practicality. You do this by eliminating as many steps as possible between workstations and planning workstations around the 3 main cooking areas: cooking (a stove or oven), preparation (sink), and food storage (refrigerator). Due to the variety of configurations available, your kitchen island could be made to fill any of these three roles. 

2. A Place to Display Your Style

Sometimes it can be nice to give your kitchen decor a bit of a refresher. However, this can often be time-consuming and may even require a trip to your favorite home goods store. A kitchen island can be a great place to show off some of your personal style without committing a lot of time or space. Whether you use your kitchen island to display your favorite cookbooks or to show off your new decorative containers, it can be an excellent place to quickly highlight your own tastes.

3. Eat In or Work from Home

In addition to the extra countertop space, you can also find a wide variety of kitchen islands that feature seating. This style kitchen island can be a great place to have breakfast in the morning or maybe do some homework after school. Plus, having a clean and comfortable place to share meals can have some unexpected benefits.

The is a positive connection between the frequency of eating with others and an individual’s mental health. Sharing meals can help us feel more connected to others, which can help people feel happier and more satisfied. 

4. Storage Solutions

Sometimes, our biggest storage issues are caused by trying to incorporate small appliances that don’t exactly fit into your kitchen cabinets. Blenders, microwaves, and air fryers have become almost essential for our fast-paced lifestyles, but they do not always fit into our available storage options. Newer kitchen islands have integrated designs so that they can efficiently store these items without compromising access.

You may also consider kitchen islands that are made to include things like sinks or stovetops. These are great modern luxuries that many homebuyers may notice during an open house. In addition, outlets that feature USB ports and boiling-water taps are also popular features for a kitchen island. 

Opting for a multi-function kitchen island is vital for smaller kitchens. For these, we recommend mobile islands that can easily be moved in and out of place. For example, an island cart on wheels could be a prep station that is later moved to be a plating station. 

There is a lot out there in terms of kitchen island features, be sure to visit our Jackson Stoneworks office to get an idea of what might interest you!

Gainesville Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain Countertops

by JSW Blogger |October 6, 2022 |3 Comments | Uncategorized | ,

Our advanced manufacturing business at Jackson Stoneworks, based in Gainesville, FL, is maintained with expert knowledge of the material to meet our customers’ expectations. You can trust our professional and credible team for our excellent and efficient material quality management. We are a nationally recognized custom porcelain and granite countertops manufacturer. Customize your dream bathroom and kitchen spaces with our countertop designs and materials, including Granite, Marble, and Quartz slabs. 

What is special about Porcelain?

Porcelain differs from other ceramic products due to its unique and technically fundamental characteristics: its hardness, mechanical resistance, high density, durability, and beauty. The raw materials of Porcelain like feldspar, kaolin, clay, and silica go through demanding qualitative selection criteria to maintain the constancy of the technical characteristics and absence of any contaminants to ensure quality control. Its non-porous nature also allows it to become extremely hygienic and ideal for daily use. Moreover, its beauty and delicateness make it elegantly and timelessly suitable for every event and used as the best kitchen countertops. Porcelain countertops can also be used in bathrooms and other home spaces per your preference.   

Pros and Cons of Porcelain Countertops

Porcelain is made by heating a combination of powdered China stone and white China clay at above 1400 degrees Celsius, allowing the material to become highly durable and dense. Porcelain slabs that are manufactured for use in countertops come with various pros. Porcelain countertops offer high heat endurance, so hot pots and pans would not damage them. Porcelain structure is tough and durable, and its hardness makes it scratch resistant making it super-efficient with knives while slicing and dicing food. Porcelain countertops are easier to clean, have no water retention or absorption, are stain resistant, and require no sealing as these are fully non-porous.

Additionally, the porcelain countertops come with colors and patterns that are added during fabrication and have UV light resistance. With all these amazing qualities, Porcelain is lightweight, giving several installation options, and is environmentally friendly, making it suitable for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Yet Porcelain has a few cons too. It is easier to crack Porcelain countertops with blunt force; the edge styles are also limited when it comes to Porcelain. Porcelain has unique countertop edge profile options compared to other materials built; those are fewer. Though Porcelain countertops have high quality, they can be costly and pricey.    

Where can I find Porcelain Countertops?

Jackson Stoneworks offers a great range of Porcelain countertops, especially the best kitchen and bathroom countertops, with a lifetime limited warranty. We take immense pride in being your full-service kitchen and bath centers and transforming your homes aesthetically with our Porcelain countertops. 

Porcelain Countertops for home builders and Home Remodeling

We look out for all homeowners and home builders looking to renovate or remodel homes and assure them of excellent quality products that do not include granite, quartz, and marble countertops and Porcelain counterparts. Our passionate and dedicated team is apt at fabricating and supplying porcelain countertops to areas including Alachua, Clay, Trenton, Chiefland, Hawthorne, Micanopy, Citra, New Berry, High Springs, and Keystone Heights. Customize your dream home, bathroom, and kitchen spaces that you aspire to with our countertop designs and materials, including Granite, Marble, and Quartz slabs. 

You may reach out to us via email or call us anytime to learn further about Porcelain countertops: you may also plan a visit to see our extensive collection in our showroom.

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    White Quartz Countertops Will Enhance The Aesthetic Of Your Modern Kitchen

    by sonynew |September 29, 2022 |2 Comments | Countertops, Kitchen Trends

    White quartz countertops are the perfect way to improve the functionality of your modern kitchen! Getting white quartz in your home offers a lot of benefits that make it a wise long term investment. Most people are not aware of the many different engineered stone options that are available out there. This is the reason why homeowners, contractors, and builders will turn to granite or marble.

    Quartz may be one of the top kitchen countertop materials in the whole industry but it is also one that does not get enough credit. Below we will list the many reasons why white quartz is a phenomenal countertop material for your kitchen. You will also see unique kitchen designs that will give you a bit of kitchen inspiration for your remodeling project!

    The Strength And Durability Of White Quartz Countertops Are Similar Granite

    White quartz countertops are one of the most durable kitchen tops in the game! It has a surprising amount of strength that goes well in busy kitchens! You can count on getting a countertop material that will stand strong against daily use. No matter what your lifestyle may be, with quartz, you will be getting everything you could ask for and more. The impressionable strength of this countertop is synonymous to that of concrete and granite. Quartz stone is, however, a little more forgiving. In fact, quartz is so strong that it also more resistant to cracking or chipping. It is truly an outstanding countertop option for any home!

    Wide Color Selection

    You will be surprised to learn that white quartz countertops do not just come in a solid color. In all actuality, there is a large assortment of white quartz options that you can pick from. You can count on us to provide you with a selection that includes all of the best colors, patterns, and styles for your unique kitchen design. If you feel like white quartz countertops are not the best fit for you, then you can check out the many other color options that we have in our showroom. You will never have to settle. The best way to improve your kitchen interior design is by starting off with the perfect countertop for your home. The exceptional quality of countertops at Jackson Stoneworks is unlike any you have ever seen. To check out the latest kitchen products, make sure to visit our showroom and stoneyard.

    Leading White Quartz Countertops Brands

    Not only will you get unmatched quality with us but you will also get a countertop material made from the top brands in the entire industry. Giving our customers the best quality is our main priority. A lack of quality will never be an issue if you hire us. We understand how important it is to get top-rated products that are worth every penny invested.

    Stands Up Against Liquid Spills

    Another huge advantage of white quartz countertops is the fact that they are nonporous. Nonporous stones are great at resisting stains from liquid spills. You will not have to run and wipe off your countertops as soon as the accident happens. You can finish cooking your meal just do not forget to clean up the countertops after the fact. If you leave the spills on your counters, they may get damaged. Quartz is a stain-resistant countertop but it is not proof of stains.

    White quartz countertops are definitely a good choice and investment for your kitchen remodeling project. You can improve the design and the value of your property. We hope you found this article educational.

    If you would like to speak with a professional you can contact us today. (352) 372-6600

    Kitchen U-Shape Design

    The Pros and Cons of 3 Popular Kitchen Layouts

    by sonynew |September 22, 2022 |2 Comments | Uncategorized

    If you’re remodeling your kitchen or designing a new one, your first order of business is choosing a layout. Do you want open or closed concept? Does the standard work triangle best suit your cooking style, or will work zones make food prep and cleanup more efficient for you? Do you want a design with storage room to spare? Only you can answer these questions, but one thing is clear: Your layout determines the way you cook, socialize and entertain. Here’s the skinny on three common layouts to help you pick a winner.

    U-Shaped

    U-shaped kitchens are more common in older homes and smaller residences (such as apartments and townhomes), but you can also find them in modern builds.

    Pros: U-shaped kitchens utilize three walls or cabinet sections, so you’ll probably have good storage space relative to the size of your kitchen. Since your appliances will be closer together (especially in smaller kitchens), you won’t have to walk to the other side of your kitchen for food prep or cleanup. Last, some homeowners prefer closed kitchen designs, and a U-shaped design will keep the space separate from living and dining areas.

    Cons: U-shaped kitchens often feel cramped because of how close your appliances are located to one another. As a result, you may not have enough room to operate during meal prep, and cooking may not be a functional process for you. Cabinetry isn’t always easy to access due to corners. An island is usually out of the question. Yes, some homeowners prefer closed-off kitchen spaces, but many homebuyers want an open-concept design, especially in today’s housing market. Many U-shaped kitchens can feel isolated from the rest of your home’s living space. Large designs will have a spread-out work triangle, which can be an inconvenience.

    If you’re looking for ways to turn your U-shaped kitchen into an open-concept design, knocking down a wall can do just that. You can create a peninsula with bar-style seating once the wall is removed and then feel connected to adjacent spaces.

    You may also be able to knock down two of your existing walls or design a U-shaped kitchen with only one full-height wall. This contemporary kitchen offers a fully functional cooking space that’s also well-equipped for entertaining.

    Some U-shaped kitchens are large enough to host an island. Walkways between cabinetry must be at least 36 inches wide, so one of your kitchen walls must span at least 12 feet to fit a 24-inch deep island.

    L-Shaped

    These types of kitchen layouts use two walls or sections of cabinetry, forming an L. They usually include an island in the middle.

    Pros: L-shaped kitchens provide the consummate open-concept cooking experience. They’re ideal for entertaining and socializing, and can transform your kitchen into the true hub of the home. If we take layouts at face value, L-shaped kitchens are the most island-friendly layout because of how spacious they are. They have sufficient counter and storage space when they include an island. You can also better opt for work zones instead of the traditional work triangle in L-shaped kitchens.

    Cons: You almost always need an island to ensure that you have enough workspace. This added expense may not suit your budget. An island may not suit your cooking style either. The work triangle is more spread out in L-shaped kitchens. While some homeowners appreciate the space, others will grow tired of walking back and forth between their stove, sink and refrigerator. There’s usually more to clean. L-shaped kitchens often require more finishing material, and they can carry a higher price tag than galley kitchens and small U-shaped kitchens.

    Galley

    A galley kitchen has one pass-through between two sections of cabinetry. These sections may be composed of closed walls, partially open walls or an island.

    Pros: Galley kitchens maximize space and make for efficient cooking zones. Your appliances are organized and easily accessible. They offer versatility to homeowners. They can be open or closed concept. They can take advantage of limited space you may already have or save space when you’re designing a new home. Galley kitchens tend to be smaller; you won’t have to spend a fortune on finishing materials like cabinets, countertops and backsplashes, nor will you spend a lot of time cleaning up. Cabinetry is fully functional and accessible.

    Cons: On the flip side, the smaller size can be a drawback. If you want a supersize kitchen with ample storage and counter space, you may not find a galley design sufficient. Particularly, upper cabinetry can be limited in some designs. If you’re designing a new home and considering a galley kitchen, you may not have room to expand 10 years down the road.

    A more modern rendition of the galley kitchen features one wall of cabinetry with an island. This type of galley kitchen is your best bet for an open-concept design.

    quartz countertop

    QUARTZ COUNTERTOP KITCHEN UPGRADE

    by sonynew |September 15, 2022 |1 Comments | Uncategorized

    It’s your special day – you’re investing in a kitchen upgrade! The average homeowner will perform a big remodeling project like this maybe once or twice in a lifetime. With this in mind, you’ll want to make sure to get the best return on investment.

    A quartz countertop can maximize that upgrade project for durability, style, and value, and there are many other reasons that keep these kitchen countertops in high demand.

    One reason to fall in love with quartz is the wide range of colors to choose from. As a manufactured material, quartz’s color and patterning are controlled by the various crystals and pigments used in the process. Quartz colors range from pure white to jet black along with shades of red, gold, blue, and more.

    Quartz also can be made to resemble natural materials such as granite or marble. Calacatta Verona Quartz is a great example of this, with realistic marble-like gray veining on a white surface. With quartz you can have the beauty of marble without the maintenance and worry – what a great value.

    Nature lovers will appreciate the eco-friendly qualities of a quartz countertops. For one thing, unlike natural stones which are quarried and imported from all over the earth (along with transportation costs and fuel consumption), quartz is produced using local materials and is easier to transport.

    Natural stone countertops need to be sealed, and quartz does not; this eliminates the need for chemical sealers. Also, some of our Q Premium Natural Quartz Countertops are made with up to 35% post-consumer recycled glass. Have your beautiful countertops – such as the pebbly, nature-inspired Toasted Almond — and feel good about them, too.

    Even the most eco-friendly material is impractical unless it is made to last a long time, and a quartz countertop certainly fits this description.

    Since it will last for decades, consider installing a classic neutral such as Fossil Brown – you can change your kitchen cabinetry and décor a dozen times during your quartz countertop’s lifetime, and it will still look great!

    Perhaps the most popular reason to choose a quartz countertop, however, is its simple care requirements. There’s no need to seal quartz countertops, unlike natural stone. Quartz countertops are waterproof, extremely stain resistant, and stand up to heavy use.

    With Quartz you can feel confident choosing white quartz countertops such as Iced White Quartz or Frost White Quartz without worrying about stains. It’s easy to keep a quartz countertop pristine and hygienic, free of dirt and bacteria.

    If you thought quartz was just a trend, think again! These manufactured surfaces have been popular in kitchens and bathrooms for over 20 years now, and are definitely here to stay. You can be confident that your quartz countertop investment will pay off in terms of resale value – and you will love it too.

    Visit our online inventory to see the newest slab colors, and enjoy planning your kitchen upgrade.

    kitchen trends

    Kitchen Countertop Trends 2022

    by sonynew |September 8, 2022 |1 Comments | Uncategorized

    Changing lifestyles, emerging design trends and consumer product “hot buttons” are having a major impact on materials, colors and styles for countertops, which continue to grow in prominence as both an aesthetic and functional feature in today’s new and remodeled kitchens.

    That’s one of several key findings of a nationwide survey conducted by Kitchen & Bath Design News among kitchen dealers and designers, who report that countertops – impacted largely by the COVID-19 pandemic – have increasingly become the focal point of the modern-day kitchen, serving not only in their traditional roles of food prep, eating, cleanup and entertaining, but as a multi-purpose space for homework, hobbies, work-from-home projects, and various other activities.

    Yet despite the dizzying array of colors, materials, features and other choices available, kitchen consumers are very specific when it comes to the criteria they consider when selecting their countertops, the KBDN survey found.

    According to the findings of the survey, conducted last month, key factors in countertop selection include material, color, durability, affordability and sustainability. Sanitary benefits have also become increasingly important, dealers and designers tell KBDN. Similarly, cost is also a factor in homeowners’ selection of a countertop material, although it seems that clients are increasingly willing to invest – and even stretch their budget – in order to obtain the material, functionality and overall aesthetic they desire.

    QUARTZ LEADING MATERIAL

    According to the survey’s results, engineered quartz continues to be the countertop material that dealers and designers report is growing fastest in demand among their kitchen clients.

    Specifically, the KBDN survey found that engineered quartz countertops are seen by nearly 33% of those surveyed as the countertop they see growing fastest in demand (see Figure 1).

    By comparison, quartzite – natural sandstone that is fused under heat and pressure with sparkly quartz crystals – is viewed as the fastest-growing kitchen countertop material by roughly 17% of survey respondents, while granite is seen as fastest-growing among just over 9% of the design professionals polled. Other countertop choices include solid surface (7%), marble (5%), sintered stone (4.6%) and concrete (3.3%). Outdoor-friendly surfaces are also seen as increasing in popularity, along with the growing trend toward outdoor living.

    In terms of color, white/cream (45%) and gray (24.4%) are the predominant colors in demand, according to survey respondents. Black is preferred by about 12.6% of the designers’ clients. Shiny and matte surfaces are preferred about equally by their customers, surveyed design pros report (see Figure 2).

    Dealers and designers also report that clients are increasingly gravitating to countertops that feature subtle patterns and movement, as opposed to other options. The KBDN survey found, for example, that 62.5% of the dealers and designers polled reported that countertops with subtle patterns were the preference of clients. In contrast, only 18.8% said their clients are gravitating toward marble-look surfaces, while 12.5% said their clients prefer countertops with dramatic patterns or movement, and 6.3% said clients are gravitating toward solid-color tops.

    OTHER KEY CRITERIA

    The importance of selecting countertops with distinct sanitary/health benefits has apparently become increasingly important to clients, doubtless as a result of increased awareness regarding the benefits of anti-microbial protection due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    For example, some 55% of their customers consider sanitary benefits such as easy-to-clean and anti-microbial protection to be either “very important” (42%) or “extremely important” (13.2%), according to surveyed dealers and designers. At the same time, surveyed design pros say sanitary benefits are “moderately important” to some 24% of their clients. By comparison, only about 20% of their customers consider sanitary benefits to be only “slightly important” (18.3%) or “not at all important” (1.9%), survey respondents report (see Figure 3).

    Durability also remains an important factor in countertop material selection, with some 55% of the surveyed dealers and designers saying durability is “very important” to clients, and roughly 37% saying durability is “extremely important.” In contrast, only about 1.3% of clients feel countertop durability is “not at all” important (see Figure 4).

    Affordability, as noted earlier, is somewhat less of a factor in countertop selection.

    The KBDN survey found, for example, that only about 36% of their customers consider affordability to be either “extremely” important (8.5%) or “very” important” (25%), survey respondents said. By comparison, however, some 56% of dealers’ and designers’ customers said affordability was only “moderately” important, while more than 10% said it was either only “slightly” important (8%) or “not important at all” (2.4%) (see Figure 5).

    Other key survey results were as follows:
    Regardless of material selection, kitchen clients are generally seeking neutral countertops that blend seamlessly with the overall kitchen aesthetic, as opposed to bold countertops with “wow” appeal, according to the survey’s findings. Specifically, nearly three-quarters of their clients favor neutral tones as opposed to splashy tops, dealers and designers tell KBDN.

    Environmental friendliness is a major factor in countertop material selection among only about half of today’s kitchen clients, dealers and designers told KBDN. Specifically, roughly 64% of those surveyed reported that environmental friendliness was only “slightly important” (39.9%) or “not at all important” (23.9%) as a factor in selection among their clients. By comparison, less than 10% said environmental friendliness was either “extremely important” or “very important.” 

    Multi-Functional Countertops Termed ‘Priority’ for Kitchens

    PALO ALTO, CA — Homeowners are making room in their kitchen remodeling budget to prioritize large, multi-functional countertops, in part as a response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on American lifestyles, a major new study has found.

    According to the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, more than one-third of surveyed homeowners (35%) reportedly “splurged” on countertops, which were upgraded by more than nine in 10 homeowners, the most common feature improved during kitchen renovations.

    “It’s clear that homeowners are willing to spend a little more to get exactly what they want in countertops that are both beautiful and practical, despite rising prices of labor, products and materials,” said Marine Sargsyan, senior economist for the Palo Alto, CA-based online platform for home renovation and design.

    When it comes to choosing new kitchen countertops, homeowners opt for materials based on the look and feel, durability and ease of cleaning, rather than cost, said Houzz, whose online survey was conducted among nearly 2,400 U.S. Houzz users who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a kitchen renovation.

    Engineered quartz and granite are the most popular countertop materials (42% and 24%, respectively), despite tariff and pandemic-induced price increases, Houzz reported. Of the more than one in five renovating homeowners who select an island countertop material that contrasts from their primary countertops, over one-third choose butcher block or wood slab. Aesthetically, homeowners increasingly choose white for their countertops during renovations.

    Among other survey findings:

    • Large Islands Popular: Following a kitchen renovation, one in five homeowners say that a top activity at their island is work, up 4% from 2021. Homeowners are making space for this activity, with nearly two in five islands stretching more than 7 feet in length, up five percentage points from last year. Homeowners are also making the space brighter, with the vast majority installing new light fixtures above islands (92%).
    • White and Gray Prevail as Top Colors: White continues to lead as the top choice for kitchen cabinets, backsplashes and walls. Gray is the most common alternative to white, with 27% of renovating homeowners painting kitchen walls gray, 13% installing gray flooring, and 11% opting for a gray backsplash.
    • Appliances Get a Boost from High-Tech Features: Appliances are the second most common feature that homeowners splurge on during kitchen renovations (27%). Over a third of upgraded appliances include high-tech features, up six percentage points from the previous year. The most popular kitchen appliance features are wireless and smartphone controls (26%), up eight percentage points from 2021.
    • Beverage Refrigerators Abound: Nearly one in five homeowners are incorporating beverage refrigerators in their renovated kitchens, and 14% are adding wine refrigerators.

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