Kitchen Remodel Trends in St. Augustine: What Homeowners Are Choosing in 2026

Kitchen remodeling in St. Augustine has evolved significantly over the past few years. Homeowners across St. Johns County are moving away from the all-white, open-everything style of the early 2020s and toward kitchens that feel more personal, more functional, and more durable. Whether you're planning a full gut renovation or a targeted upgrade, knowing what's trending can help you make smarter decisions about where to put your money.

Here's what we're seeing most from clients who come to us for kitchen remodels in the St. Augustine and Jacksonville FL area.

Two-Tone Cabinetry Is Here to Stay

One of the most popular requests we receive for kitchen remodels in St. Johns County right now is two-tone cabinetry — typically a darker lower cabinet paired with lighter upper cabinets or open shelving. This approach adds visual depth without making a kitchen feel dark or heavy, which matters a lot in Florida homes where natural light is a priority.

Popular combinations we're installing include navy or forest green lowers with white or warm cream uppers, and walnut-toned lowers with painted white uppers. Hardware choices make a big difference here: matte black, brushed gold, and unlacquered brass all pair well depending on the overall tone of the space.

Hidden Appliances and Integrated Storage

Panel-ready refrigerators and dishwashers — where the appliance face matches the cabinetry — are becoming more common in St. Augustine kitchen remodels, especially in homes where the kitchen opens directly to a living or dining area. When the appliances blend into the cabinetry, the whole room feels more cohesive and less like a "working" space.

Alongside hidden appliances, homeowners are asking for more intentional storage design: pull-out spice drawers, deep drawer stacks instead of lower cabinet shelves, built-in trash and recycling pullouts, and dedicated charging drawers for devices. These aren't new ideas, but they're being executed better now — and they make a real difference in daily usability.

Quartz Is Still King, But Quartzite Is Rising

Quartz countertops remain the dominant choice for kitchen remodels in the Jacksonville FL market because of their low maintenance and consistent appearance. But we're seeing more clients make the switch to quartzite — a natural stone that looks similar to marble but holds up better to heat and daily use.

If you want the look of marble without the anxiety of sealing and staining, quartzite is worth a serious look. Budget-wise, it typically runs higher than quartz but is more attainable than true marble.

Open Shelving — But Smarter

Open shelving had a moment, and it's not completely gone — but homeowners are being more strategic about it now. Rather than replacing all upper cabinets with open shelves, the trend is toward a hybrid approach: one or two open shelf sections flanking a range hood or window, with the rest of the uppers staying closed.

This gives you the visual openness and display space without the full commitment to keeping every shelf perfectly curated at all times.

What to Prioritize When Budgeting a Kitchen Remodel

If you're planning a kitchen remodel in St. Augustine and working with a defined budget, here's a general prioritization framework our design-build team recommends:

1. Layout and functionality changes first — moving plumbing, adding an island, or opening a wall affects everything downstream 2. Cabinetry and countertops — these are the highest-visibility items and affect resale value most 3. Appliances — spec what you need now; you can often upgrade later 4. Lighting — under-cabinet lighting and pendant lighting over an island add a lot of polish for relatively modest cost 5. Backsplash and hardware — great opportunities to add personality without major expense

Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodels in St. Augustine

How long does a kitchen remodel typically take in St. Johns County? A mid-range kitchen remodel — new cabinets, counters, appliances, and flooring — typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from demo to final walkthrough, depending on the scope and material lead times. Larger projects involving layout changes or structural work can run 10 to 12 weeks.

What does a kitchen remodel cost in St. Augustine, FL? A full kitchen remodel in St. Augustine ranges from roughly $30,000 to $75,000 or more depending on size, materials, and scope of work. A targeted update (cabinet refacing, new counters, new appliances) can come in well below that range.

Is a design-build approach better for a kitchen remodel than hiring separate contractors? For most homeowners, yes. With a design-build firm like ours, the design and construction are handled by one team, which eliminates the communication gaps that often cause delays and cost overruns when a homeowner is managing an architect, a GC, and multiple subcontractors separately.

What kitchen upgrades offer the best return on investment before selling? New countertops, cabinet updates or refacing, and modern appliances consistently rank among the highest-ROI improvements for resale in the St. Augustine and Jacksonville FL market. A refreshed kitchen photos extremely well and tends to be what buyers talk about first.

Ready to Start Your Kitchen Remodel?

If you're thinking about a kitchen remodel in St. Augustine, St. Johns County, or the Jacksonville FL area, we'd love to walk through your space and talk about what's possible. Wilson & Co Design Build handles everything in-house — from the initial design through the final punch list — so you never have to manage multiple contractors on your own.

Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free in-home consultation. We're currently booking projects for spring and summer 2026.