The value of the overall kitchen and bathroom worktop market is estimated to have reached more than £200m in 2015, according to AMA Research.
The figure is said to reflect a recent recovery in the market after the difficult post-recession trading period. There has been steady growth in the market since 2011, according to AMA, as a result of increasing consumer confidnece and a return to growth for the housing market.

The worktop market has grown "fractionally faster than the equivalent kitchen furniture and overall bathroom products market". The value of the total kitchen worktop market is estimated to have increased around 5% in 2015. AMA also pointed out a change in recent years to distribution shares, with growth in the builders merchant sector and loss of market share for DIY multiples.

Key influences on this market sector include:
· An emphasis on aesthetics and stylish designs
· The blurring of distinction between the kitchen and dining room
· Less formality in the home and a move towards open plan living
· A growing interest in cooking as a hobby and the demand for professional style kitchens and appliances
· A trading up to higher value materials and products

The sale of kitchens with installation included is likely to increase, with many large suppliers now promoting this service.

In the bathroom worktop market, growth resumed in 2012 following a difficult period. In 2015, the market saw growth of 8%, though from a low base and in value terms regained the level seen prior to economic downturn. However, bathroom worktops remain a small market in overall value terms. Builders and merchants are the major distributors for bathroom worktops, with around 40% of the market, followed by DIY multiples and bathroom equipment specialists.

Major influences on this market include:
· Rising levels of consumer confidence
· Increase in the popularity of solid surfaces for worktops, partly because they can be worked into any shape and can be used to create an integrated basin, worktop and splashback
· A growth in the number of second bathrooms in the new housing market

Growth has, however, been limited by the relatively high proportion of flats and apartments in this sector.

Said AMA Research director Keith Taylor: "As the kitchen market continues to grow, both natural stone and composite materials are forecast to gain market share, with granite and quartz in particular likely to become more competitive as a result of imports from lower cost producers. However, the affordability and versatility of laminates means that they are likely to continue to dominate the market in the foreseeable future, particularly in volume terms."