Kitchens typically command the highest price tag when it comes to room renovations. Projects range from a full gut job to a fresh coat of paint. But when it comes to specific features of a kitchen, five elements top the list of upgrades.
1. Kitchen Counter Top
According to the recent 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, counter tops are the number one trend in kitchen improvements. And this year, quartz is the most desired material.
Photo by Haven Design and Construction
When it comes to counter top color, white is the preferred choice among most kitchen renovators.
Photo by M Prevost Design
2. Back Splash
The next top kitchen trend for 2019 is replacing the back splash. Ceramic tile is the most desired choice for providing fresh appeal in the heart of the home.
Photo by Fireclay Tile
And the most popular pattern for tile is a staggered horizontal style, like subway tile.
Photo by Studio Miel
3. Kitchen Sink
Coming in at number three on the list of kitchen trends is the sink. Farmhouse sinks are wildly popular, whether single bowl or double bowl.
A copper sink also makes for a pretty upgrade in the kitchen.
Photo by Venegas and Company
4. Kitchen Faucet
It might come in at number four on Houzz’ list of kitchen trends but for me, the faucet is in the top two of my personal list of improvements for the kitchen.
Photo by Breeze Giannasio Interiors
Go simple or get fancy with an extendable faucet that makes rinsing dishes an easier chore. Since I don’t have a dishwasher, this style of faucet would come in handy.
Photo by Dragonfly Designs
5. Kitchen Lighting
Lights are relatively easy to replace so it’s no surprise that kitchen lighting makes the list of top five kitchen improvements for 2019.
Photo by Fireclay Tile
There are seemingly limitless options for pretty lighting fixtures in the kitchen. You can go farmhouse, traditional, or take a more modern approach with a funky pendant light.
Photo by Midland ArchitectureDo you have any kitchen improvements in store for this year? Are any of the on this list of top five kitchen trends? My son hinted at getting me a new faucet for Christmas, so for now I’m on the hunt for a new light to go over the kitchen sink.
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
We added an island to our kitchen that my husband made. It is a buttery yellow with a 2” dark walnut butcher block top. The top matches the existing counters. This piece is such a focal point in the room. We love how it makes a real country statement! ❤️❤️
I replaced my countertop, backsplash, sink and faucet two years ago in my 20 year old kitchen – and yes – quartz counters, subway tile, and an apron front sink. I don’t think those items are 2019 so much as just the most frequently needed items in a kitchens that wear out. Well – the backsplash did not wear out – I simply did not have one before:) I also added under cabinet lighting between my sink and range. That was actually the most functional change I made. My older eyes love the extra light especially during the fall and winter.
For any like me who want a refresh and are keeping their cabinets, Kohler makes two of its apron front sinks in a “short apron” style that can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. They are the Whitehaven (cast iron) and the Vault (stainless steel). The sinks are the same in the inside as the Whitehaven and Vault “tall apron” styles. The Whitehaven is a little pricey, but because the sink base cabinet does not need to be replaced or significantly altered, it turned out to be a reasonable cost for a quality apron front sink.
The Vault also comes in both under mount and an over mount style, and Elkay also makes a short apron sink in quartz.
I was very pleased to be able to refresh my kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen!
I redid my kitchen in our Texas home 5 years ago and installed the Whitehaven sink – and I *love* it! It was our choice because we did go with standard base cabinets: it fits beautifully (you just remove the false drawer front and jigsaw a little bit). It did need some support on both sides of the inside of the cabinet, but this 55 (at that time) year old woman managed it by herself (only needing help lifting it into place). We put quartz (Silestone) countertops in our Arizona home (husband and I work in different states), and I still love them!. Since I bought standard cabinets online and installed them myself, we put the money we saved into soapstone for the Texas house. It is gorgeous, and will never go out of ‘style’.
Since i am the only one in my house, i wanted a little breakfast nook. Last year got new faucet and lights now tearing out my bar and getting my nook, so i can set and look out the window while eating, when my family all gather we can eat in the dining room. I can’t hardly wait.
I would so love to do some fixing up in our kitchen but that nasty stuff called money is biggest deterrent. We live on our SS and in Grand Junction, 2 kids that live here are whole lot better off than we are. Real Estate is ridiculously expensive.We live in a single wide mfg.home on 1/2 acre we paid $120K for in 2006. We live few miles west of GJ out in rural area, closer to mountains. The CO river runs about 3 miles south of us. Quiet, great views, we have 4 chickens, dog and cat. For 2 old people is fine.
If I would get off my lead butt would get kitchen/& cqbinets painted, what a difference would make Hate painting cabinets. Need new counter tops, would love to have wood but not in budget either. Hubs not up for my wild ideas like installing plank wall, party pooper. He’s not up for much if he has to do the work. He’s retied but tends to be lazy, lol. It took 8 yrs.here to get living room painted, sigh.,Happy New Year.
I agree, having a white counter-top really brightens up the room and brings it together.