Our kitchens and bathrooms are hard-working rooms and for many households, they have seen even more action than usual over the past year. In fact, the latest Houzz & Home report found that the spend on bathroom renovations had surged by 25% in 2020 to a median of £5,000 and kitchen renovations increased by 15% to a median of £11,500. Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design were curious to see what new styles, features and aesthetics have surfaced over the past year. Using search insights from the community of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home professionals, here are the hottest emerging trends from the platform.

KITCHENS

1. Kitchens with character
More time spent at home during the pandemic prompted many of us to give more thought to our living spaces and how they look and feel. Homeowners on Houzz want to inject personality into their interiors and this is evident in what people are browsing for on Houzz. The search term ‘unusual kitchens’ more than doubled in popularity in 2021 compared to the year before and the photostream is flooded with examples of colourful cabinetry, unique flooring choices and tactile materials.

2. Fifty shades of green 
If there was one colour that would define 2021 it would be green. Nature-inspired hues have been providing a wonderful calming feel to homes over the past year, and the most popular shade is green. The search term ‘green kitchens’ rose by 48% this year, with searches for ‘sage green’, ‘forest green’ and ‘dark green’ all rising significantly in popularity.

3. Cosy country kitchens
According to the Houzz & Home survey, rural living is becoming increasingly popular, particularly with the younger generation. 33% of those aged between 25 and 39 who plan to move told us they’d like to swap their urban neighbourhood for a rural one. Homeowners on Houzz are also seeking out those cosy country interiors for their kitchens too, with the search term ‘country kitchen’ rising by 54% compared to 2020. The search terms ‘panelling’, ‘exposed beam’ and ‘exposed brick’ also shot up in popularity (up 187%, 171% and 90%, respectively).

4. The reign of terrazzo 
Over the past few years, terrazzo surfaces have been slowly edging their way into our homes, most often in the bathroom. Houzz users are embracing this multifaceted material, and now incorporating it in their kitchens. Up by 230% in searches on Houzz this year, the hardwearing material has been featured in flooring, worktops and splashbacks, with chips becoming larger and colourways bolder over the past year.

5. Dark details
In contrast to those tranquil nature-inspired colours mentioned earlier, dark colours and features are also seeing a rise in popularity. ‘Black kitchen worktop’, ‘black pendant lights’ and ‘dark grey kitchen’ all more than doubled in searches and all look great as a grounding accent alongside softer shades.

BATHROOMS

1. Freestanding baths
There’s nothing better than a long hot soak and Houzz users couldn’t agree more, with luxurious baths rising in popularity. The search term ‘freestanding bath’ rose by 152% in 2021 compared to 2020, while searches for ‘slipper bath’ more than doubled in volume. Baths are taking centre stage in homeowners ‘spathrooms’, and the most popular photos on Houzz are featuring designs that incorporate unique shapes, colours and materials. 

2. Wet rooms
It’s not just baths that are getting the makeover treatment, the latest Houzz & Home report found that 76% of homeowners had upgraded their shower stall as part of a bathroom renovation, and Houzz users are searching for something a little more luxurious than just a standard shower screen. The search term ‘walk-in shower’ rose in popularity by 71% in 2021 versus 2020, and there were 57% more searches for ‘wet rooms’.

3. Repurposed and vintage vanity units
The search term ‘bathroom vanity’ rose by 50% in 2021, compared to the same time in 2020. In response, more and more projects uploaded to Houzz show creative and stylish designs, with repurposed and upcycled furniture pieces featuring more heavily. Vintage tables, drawers and chests are being used creatively by designers on Houzz to add character and soften washspaces, and as long as the furniture piece has been treated and installed by a professional, they work perfectly in a bathroom. 

4. Colour and character
Homeowners have become increasingly bold with their colour choices in recent years and this creativity has flooded into the bathroom where it seems Houzz users are no longer set on a minimal white scheme and are instead embracing a more varied palette. In 2021, the term ‘blue bathroom’ shot up by 170% in searches and the term ‘pink bathroom’ doubled in popularity, while ‘green tiled bathroom’ saw an increase of more than a third. Dark tones are also proving popular, with searches for ‘black shower’ rising significantly.

5. Terrazzo
Interesting surfaces are on the rise and are great for adding character to a home. A popular example is terrazzo which saw a 230% jump in 2021’s searches on Houzz compared to those in 2020. From small accessories to wall tiles, flooring and even basins, it’s a surprisingly versatile and hardwearing material choice for a bathroom.