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.