Among all the things that didn't get said in time, didn't get done in time, I don't regret that the chairs never got recovered. Such a frivolous move, even after 60 years, would have been a rebuke to the decision-makers, who are all gone and replaced by memories of the things they said, the meals they shared. Most homeowners have grand plans for how they hope their houses will look. Of course, this usually involves some sort of remodel. What is the room of choice this fall? That would be the cornerstone of the home: the kitchen.But just because the plans have been made and the estimates have been calculated, things may not be in the works just yet.According to Houzz, of the more than 7,000 homeowners who shared kitchen remodel plans, a whopping 68 percent of them haven't begun construction.
I guess our grandparents would be proud of us for thinking things through before taking a hammer to the traditional kitchens of their childhood. Although motivations for a kitchen remodel vary, all reasons gravitate toward one bottom line: People are creating kitchens to please themselves, making them beautiful and functional.Seventy-nine percent of respondents said they hoped to improve their kitchen's look and feel, so it may not come as a surprise that a tile backsplash and hardwood floors are the most popular remodel materials. Tile is also a popular choice for flooring, coming in second at 32 percent.What's a remodeled kitchen without new appliances? Houzzers agree, and they all desire the same high-end toys. A chef's stove tops the list of lust-worthy appliances, with double ovens coming in second. Other coveted appliances include wine fridges, dishwasher drawers, warming drawers and pot fillers.
Stainless steel is here to stay, it seems, as many respondents are combining stainless appliances with white, colored or appliances integrated into cabinetry.Now for some things that surprised us. We know that a start-from-scratch remodel is ideal, but we didn't expect for it to be the majority. Oh, U.S. homeowners, you are so idealistic in your remodeling plans. Maybe, just maybe, that is why more than half of you haven't gotten started yet.At any rate, almost half are choosing to gut the kitchen and start from scratch versus working with existing elements and focusing on an update here or there.