Summary: The trend of buying a starter home and then moving up the property ladder seems to be fading. In its place is a new desire to stay put and renovate. With that in mind, a kitchen overhaul that includes new quartz countertops is a goal some homeowners are now pursuing.
In the two decades following World War II, the Baby Boom generation established a clear pattern for the American dream. You buy a starter home, build some equity, then trade that equity for a move up the property ladder. But things have changed. Millennial and Gen X homeowners are more likely to stay put. And with staying put comes more renovation projects, including installing new countertops.
Whether you are a Millennial basking in the accomplishment of owning a home or a Gen Xer whose equity has soared over the last five years, perhaps you’ve reached the same conclusion many of your peers have: the best home for you is the one you currently live in.
Renovate, Not Relocate
Data from last year revealed that the vast majority of Millennial homeowners are electing to stay put rather than attempting to move up the property ladder. Moreover:
- 77% said they planned to undertake a major renovation project within the next five years.
- 74% said mortgage rates are the biggest factor encouraging them to stay put.
While Millennials make up the largest group of homeowners electing to stay put, their Gen X counterparts are not far behind. Older homeowners who may have previously chosen to downsize into luxury homes are forgoing that choice.
Lock In and Build More Equity
Staying put offers some advantages that tend to make up for the disappointment of not being able to move up the property ladder. One such advantage is known as the ‘lock-in effect’. It takes its name from the concept of locking in an interest rate by pre-applying for a mortgage.
For many homeowners, moving up the property ladder means trading in a 3%-4% interest rate for something significantly higher. Doing so diminishes purchasing power. By staying put, a homeowner locks in the rate they currently have. Any extra money that would have been put toward a new home can be put toward renovations instead.
The advantage here is that the home continues to build equity. Even if no renovations were done, routine maintenance would keep the property in good condition while it builds equity over time. But now consider key renovations, particularly those involving the kitchen. A renovated kitchen adds more equity simply because buyers want modern kitchens.
Money Better Spent
Another thing Millennial and Gen X homeowners are coming to terms with is the math. Throw in all the costs associated with buying a new house and moving – like sales commissions, closing costs, and attorneys’ fees – and it is possible to spend tens of thousands of dollars just to get to move-in day. Couldn’t that money be spent in better ways?
Consider a family looking at $60k in total costs to buy a new home in the Salt Lake City area. Rather than spend all that money to start over, they could put it into a total kitchen overhaul. The new kitchen could feature premium quartz or quartzite countertops alongside new cabinetry and professional-grade appliances.
Putting money into renovations increases property values. But it also increases your daily joy score, so to speak. On the other hand, it is becoming apparent to Millennials and Gen Xers that the money spent to move is money that disappears forever.
A New Kitchen for Your Forever Home
Choosing to stay put could mean re-imagining your current home as your forever home. For so many Gen X and Millennial homeowners in the Salt Lake City area, the trend is now ‘design for life’ rather than the constant pursuit of moving up the property ladder.
Here at Bedrock Quartz, we are seeing customers move away from builder-grade basics to create new kitchens and baths designed with ‘forever’ in mind. Here is what that means for:
- Millennials – Millennial homeowners are all about creating private sanctuaries. They want homes that feel stable and permanent. So when they renovate their kitchens, they prefer durable materials like quartz and quartzite.
- Gen X – Even though more Gen X homeowners are choosing to stay put, they still have the ‘next phase ‘mindset. They are looking to turn their homes into more comfortable living spaces that will help them age in place. A seamless granite or marble island becomes a design choice that helps them entertain family and friends in their golden years.
Even though the American dream is changing, the kitchen is still the centerpiece of most homes. It is the family’s gathering place. It is where guests are entertained. So when homeowners decide to stay put rather than moving up, the first renovation project tends to be the kitchen.
Why Quartz Is Leading the Way in 2026
All the materials featured in our Utah showrooms continue to sell very well. But we are noticing a trend toward quartz among Millennials and Gen Xers deciding to make their current homes their forever homes. It makes sense. If you’re committing to a home for the next several decades, you want a material that will stay with you for the entire time.
Here are three reasons quartz is leading the way in 2026:
- Warm Minimalism – Warm minimalism is the latest design trend for kitchens. Quartz answers the call with earthy veining, creamy colors, and deep tones. Quartz can be manufactured to feel very grounding.
- Unmatched Durability – As a manufactured product, quartz offers unmatched durability. This is important for a staying-put lifestyle that emphasizes cooking and entertaining at home.
- Full Integration – Modern design trends are dispensing with tile backsplashes in favor of full-height stone. Quartz is easily integrated to create the slab look homeowners are after.
If you are among the many Utah homeowners who have paused the pursuit of the property ladder, we have a challenge for you: stop waiting and start living. Make your current home your forever home by investing in renovations that build equity and increase your joy. The kitchen is the best place to start, and quartz or a natural stone material should be the anchor.
FAQs
Why are people renovating instead of moving?
Higher interest rates are making it less attractive to move. Instead, homeowners are choosing to put their money into high-value renovations.
What kind of ROI does a kitchen renovation produce?
Estimates vary depending on whom you ask. We have seen some suggesting an ROI in excess of 100% on a renovation project that includes new quartz countertops and cabinet refacing.
Renovations are fine, but is quartz affordable?
Affordability really depends on your renovation budget. Quartz is less expensive than granite, marble, and quartzite, but more expensive than laminate and wood.
How does quartz compare to natural stone?
In terms of durability, quartz is often the preferred choice among Millennial and Gen X families because it requires no maintenance and stands up to a ton of punishment. Unlike natural stone, quartz is nonporous. It never needs to be sealed.
Can I use equity to fund a kitchen renovation?
Absolutely. Homeowners can trade equity for financing by taking out a home equity loan.
