Island House Reference
A current reference for homeowners, writers and design professionals following the forces shaping kitchen and home remodeling in the United States.
Last updated August 31, 2026Remodeling Market
These findings help put cabinet and kitchen project decisions in the context of the wider residential remodeling market.
The National Association of Home Builders reported an overall remodeling market reading of 61 for the second quarter of 2026. A reading above 50 means more surveyed remodelers saw conditions as good than poor.
Source: NAHB, July 2026Nearly three quarters of surveyed remodelers said their suppliers had raised material prices since March 2026.
Source: NAHB, July 2026Among the same group of remodelers, the average material price increase reported since March 2026 was 6.7%.
Source: NAHB, July 2026The market measure for remodeling projects of $50,000 or more was 64 in the second quarter of 2026.
Source: NAHB, July 2026The market measure for remodeling projects from $20,000 to under $50,000 was 73 in the second quarter of 2026.
Source: NAHB, July 2026The market measure for remodeling projects under $20,000 was 74 in the second quarter of 2026.
Source: NAHB, July 2026The Long View
NAHB cites a rise in the typical home age from 31 years in 2006 to 41 years in 2023, a backdrop for renovation-led improvements.
Source: NAHB, February 2026NAHB reported 128,000 remodeling firms at the start of 2025, compared with 69,000 in 2000.
Source: NAHB, February 2026Home improvement spending represented 44% of residential construction spending in the first quarter of 2025, up from 33% in 2007.
Source: NAHB, February 2026More than half of surveyed remodelers said they work on home modifications related to aging in place.
Source: NAHB, February 2026Nearly three quarters of respondents reported that requests for aging-in-place features had increased significantly or somewhat over the previous five years.
Source: NAHB, February 2026NAHB projected residential remodeling activity would increase 3% in 2026 and a further 2% in 2027, adjusted for inflation.
Source: NAHB, February 2026Cabinet Materials
Since this date, regulated hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard products sold in the United States must be labeled as compliant with TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emissions standards. The rule also applies to finished goods containing these products.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySources & Method
Each figure above links to its original publisher. Market-index figures are survey-based measures of remodeler sentiment, not homeowner project quotes. National figures are useful for context, while the scope, materials and budget of an individual cabinetry project should always be reviewed for the specific home.
Island House Cabinetry, “Kitchen Remodeling & Cabinetry Statistics (2026),” updated August 31, 2026. https://islandhousecabinetco.com/kitchen-remodeling-cabinetry-statistics