Houzz shared in its 2026 Kitchen Trends Study that large kitchen islands still dominate renovation trends. And, as a member of the fan club, I can't imagine living in a kitchen without one.
52% of homeowners opt for islands that exceed seven feet in length, which is a 10 point increase over 2024. In contrast, 18% of remodelers install islands less than 6 feet in length.
By providing a welcoming gathering space, ample food prep area, customizable functionality, and hidden storage solutions, large kitchen islands are transforming how we live, cook, and connect in our homes. They're more than just countertops; they're the beating heart of a modern kitchen, fostering culinary creativity, connection, and joy.
A Better Gathering Space
Gone are the days of kitchens being isolated cooking zones. Today, they're the heartbeat of the home, and large islands are redefining how we interact in this space.
Consistent with Houzz's data on kitchen island size, National Kitchen & Bath Association highlighted that remodeling homeowners were poised to eliminate the dining room all together in favor of a better kitchen gathering space.
Consequently, the island will continue to bridge between the kitchen and living areas, a space for casual meals, and a spot inviting everyone to participate in the gathering.
Houzz's survey notes that rectangular kitchen islands reign, with 80% of renovators choosing the traditional shape. While small, the number of consumers opting for L-shaped or U-shaped islands continues to shrink.
Gathering is most certainly on the mind as only 15% of homeowners install a cooktop in their island. For the record, I'm one of those exceptions and I LOVE having the cooktop in the island facing our guests—but I only committed because we chose a flush-installed induction cooktop that doesn't have the same risks as open flame.
Flexibility for Appliances and Features
53% of upgraded kitchen islands include an appliance. After all, a functional kitchen island isn't just about extra countertop space; they're blank slates for customization.
Dishwashers top the list of most common integrated appliances (+6 percentage points from the previous survey), followed by microwaves and the aforementioned cooktop.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to kitchen island design, and consumers are going to great lengths to customize this extra space to their culinary needs and aesthetic preferences.
NKBA predicts that kitchen remodels will continue to take special features into consideration, noting that pet feeding stations, study areas, and attached mudrooms will become increasingly common as homeowners adapt to using their kitchen as a main living space.
Light Fixtures, Seating, and Color Palettes
- One, Two, or Three Light Fixtures? Houzz reports that 5% of those who upgrade or replace their island go without added light sources. Installing two fixtures to spotlight the surface is most common, with pendants the favored choice by 63% of consumers.
- More homeowners are opting for conversational seating. NKBA shared that 66% of designers were in strong favor of having seating on two sides of an island, rather than along one length. This supports the expectation that an island is a place for social interaction.
- Wood tone countertops are surging in popularity. Houzz noted that 37% of remodeling homeowners choose white countertop colors, but of the 21% that chooses a different island countertop color, the majority (nearly 4 in 10) opt for wood. NKBA predicts that in the next three years, more and more designers will opt for different island countertop colors.
- Two-toned cabinets are consistently popular. NKBA noted that 55% of designers favored an island that was distinguished from main cabinetry by its color. Only 23% prefer a consistent color palette.
