Kitchen Design Trends for 2026
A Warmer, More Crafted & More Considered Approach to Kitchen Design
As we move into 2026, kitchen design trends are becoming noticeably warmer, softer and more thoughtfully composed. Many of the themes we explored in last year’s kitchen trends article continue to influence today’s kitchen design. In 2026, these ideas have evolved in a more architectural and expressive direction with homeowners seeking kitchens that feel enduring and personal.
Our Kitchen Design Experts
In this article, our designers share their expert view on the kitchen trends for 2026. They’ve curated the trends that matter, from in-depth knowledge and over thirty years of experience designing kitchens and furniture.
The kitchen design ideas shaping 2026 highlight a move toward warmer, more refined and more thoughtfully designed kitchens. At KCA, we help clients to interpret these ideas and turn them into spaces that feel both beautifully current and built to last.
We hope you enjoy reading and if you have any questions, you’re welcome to get in touch.
The 2026 Kitchen Trends Overview
1. The Rise of Warm Neutral Kitchen Palettes
Warm mineral tones have firmly replaced cooler greys, with soft shades such as mushroom, taupe, putty, oyster and oatmeal set to dominate. Warmer whites and chalky off-whites are also rising in popularity, offering a softer alternative to bright, clinical whites.
These hues sit naturally alongside richer timbers, spice tones and tactile finishes that define kitchen design in 2026. This shift is partly driven by younger homeowners moving away from cooler grey palettes.
2. Interiors Confident with Colour
Bolder, more expressive colours continue to gain momentum in 2026. Expect spice tones such as paprika and turmeric, and deeper shades of aubergine, burgundy and oxblood. These colours pair naturally with timber finishes and warm metal accents.
Softer shades are in too, with butter yellow emerging as a subtle, uplifting neutral alongside terracotta, and clay pinks.
Together, these choices reflect a growing confidence with colour in 2026. Homeowners are embracing tones that add character and individuality while still sitting comfortably within a timeless, long-lasting scheme.
3. 2026 Trending Kitchen Materials
Richer Timbers & Natural Textures
Natural materials continue to underpin this year’s most influential designs.
We’re seeing less oak and more rich timbers such as walnut and smoked oak, with expressive natural grain adding character and a handcrafted feel.
Paired with honed stone, plastered walls and textured brickwork, these materials create a kitchen with depth and a tactile, layered feel.
A Resurgence of Kitchen Tiles
We are also seeing a resurgence of tiled splashbacks with handmade tiles gaining particular prominence. Zellige and clay tiles are in, with their irregular surfaces, soft sheen and artisanal edges. These tiles bring movement and craftsmanship to splashbacks, niches and feature walls, complementing the broader shift towards natural finishes.
Warm & Tactile Painted Cabinetry Finishes
Homeowners are increasingly choosing cabinetry with warm, tactile finishes that suit the kitchen trends of 2026. Warm neutrals, spice-inspired tones and painted finishes are all popular choices, especially when paired with timber
Hand-painted cabinetry can be refreshed or repainted over time as tastes change. This makes it a strong choice for both heritage-style and modern shaker kitchens, where quality and subtle detail matter.
Throughout 2025, more KCA clients chose hand-painted cabinetry over factory finishes, favouring its crafted feel and authentic appearance.
Matte & Soft-Touch Surfaces
For those seeking engineered cabinetry, soft-touch finishes such as satin and super-matte are rising in popularity.
Homeowners are choosing satin and super-matte finishes for their soft, low-sheen look. They diffuse light well and pair effortlessly with warmer colours and natural materials. These tactile finishes create a refined, contemporary feel and offer a more subtle alternative to high-gloss kitchens.
There is also growing demand for anti-fingerprint coated finishes, which we offer across our modern and classic kitchens. These advanced coatings have a smooth feel and help the kitchen stay pristine by resisting smudges and marks. Together, these finishes support the understated, practical style shaping kitchen design in 2026.
4. Curved Kitchen Features
A clear design shift for 2026 is the move away from boxy, linear kitchen furniture towards softer, rounded forms. Rounded island corners, curved cabinetry and gentle archways create a more fluid and welcoming space, softening linear lines.
Expect to see stone islands with curved ends, eased edges and rounded corners too. These curves help reduce the visual weight of the material and give the kitchen a more crafted feel.
Stepped stone detailing is also gaining popularity. These layered details add depth and subtle architectural interest, helping create kitchens that feel more bespoke and thoughtfully designed.
5. Kitchen Pantries & Statement Storage
Pantries remain one of the most requested features in new kitchens, and in 2026 they are becoming more expressive in their design. Glass-fronted doors, warm wood interiors, lighting and open shelving turn pantries into a visual feature, not just a storage space. Organisation is now part of the kitchen’s overall look, rather than something hidden away.
Everyday living stations are also growing in popularity. Breakfast stations, coffee bars and display shelving help keep the main kitchen clear while adding warmth and personality. These zones reflect a move towards kitchens that reflect how modern households live.
6. Trending Shaker Kitchens: Hamptons, Modern & Farmhouse
As we move into 2026, homeowners are increasingly drawn to kitchens that reflect craftsmanship, familiarity and long-term appeal. People are spending more time at home, so the warmness, comfort, family-friendly nature and timelessness of Shaker design is increasingly valued, with homely traditional styles on the rise. Shaker kitchens continue to support this shift, offering a timeless design that works comfortably in both classic and contemporary homes. Their clean proportions, understated detailing and flexibility align naturally with the warmer palettes, natural materials and tactile finishes shaping kitchen design this year.
In 2026, shaker kitchens are being designed in a wider range of styles, including relaxed Hamptons clean modern shaker and traditional farmhouse. This growing variety reflects a preference for kitchens that feel enduring yet flexible, and contemporary yet characterful.
Hamptons Shaker Kitchens
Hamptons-style kitchens feature shaker cabinetry, soft coastal tones and subtle detailing that create a light, relaxed atmosphere. This style balances traditional craftsmanship with a clean, contemporary finish.
Modern Shaker Kitchens
Modern shaker kitchens bring a contemporary twist to the traditional look, with pared-back details, slim framed doors and lay-on cabinetry. This style feels current and architectural while retaining the balance and simplicity that define shaker kitchens.
Farmhouse Shaker Kitchens
Farmhouse shaker kitchens focus on warmth, character and everyday functionality, pairing traditional shaker cabinetry with natural materials and farmhouse-style details. The result is a welcoming, practical kitchen that feels authentic, timeless and rooted in craftsmanship.
7. Stone With Presence
Stone continues to play a more architectural role in kitchen design. Alongside backsplashes, expect stone feature walls, mantles, open shelving and cladding.
Waterfall islands remain a strong statement, refined through matched veining, softer edge profiles and sculptural proportions. Stone-clad cooker hoods are also gaining popularity and work well across both modern and heritage kitchens.
Designers are extending stone beneath breakfast bars to form sculptural overhangs, often highlighted with lighting. While stepped profiles, rounded edges and stone apron-fronted sinks offer a contemporary take on traditional farmhouse details.
8. Prep-Kitchens, Utility Rooms
The organisation of secondary spaces is evolving, especially in broken-plan layouts.
Hidden utility rooms and integrated laundry areas are increasingly popular, keeping the main kitchen visually clean and uncluttered. These spaces work well when concealed behind doors or designed as a natural extension of the kitchen.
Spice kitchens or secondary prep kitchens are also on the rise. Prep kitchens support more intensive cooking, with extra extraction, appliances and storage keeping the main kitchen presentation ready.
Together, these spaces support a home that functions effortlessly without compromising the look and feel of the kitchen.
9. Metallic & Mirror Finishes
Metallic finishes continue to grow in popularity for 2026.
Aged brass and brushed bronze are perfect for adding warmth, texture and depth. Tinted mirrors in bronze or smoked tones help reflect light without feeling harsh. Together, these details sit comfortably within the warm, natural colour palettes defining kitchen design this year.
10. Creative Kitchen Lighting
Lighting is playing a more expressive and layered role in kitchen design than ever before. Alabaster lighting remains a popular choice for its soft, ambient glow and natural translucency. Sculptural pendants, picture lights and decorative wall lights are also being used to add character and depth.
Kitchen lighting is now a key design feature. Shelf lighting, internal cabinetry lights and subtle plinth lighting create a gentle, atmospheric glow that supports both function and mood. These layered schemes allow the kitchen to move easily from a working space during the day to a more relaxed setting in the evening.
Lighting is also used to highlight architectural details and finishes. These lighting schemes create kitchens that feel well balanced, thoughtfully designed and warmly lit throughout the day.
11. Smart Kitchen Technology
Kitchen technology in 2026 aims to enhance convenience while remaining visually discreet. Smart ovens with AI cooking support, app control and voice activation are now common, helping busy households manage everyday tasks. Multi-function taps that dispense boiling, chilled or sparkling water are also growing in popularity. They reduce the need for extra appliances and keep worktops clear.
What defines this year’s technology is how seamlessly it fits into the kitchen. Appliances are quieter and easier to use. Controls are clearer and less intrusive. Many systems also work together, so homeowners can manage cooking, lighting, water quality and energy use in one place.
The result is a kitchen that feels calm and easy to live with. It performs efficiently in the background, while the design remains warm, considered and uncluttered.
12. Wellness-Led Kitchen Design
Well-being is playing a bigger role in kitchen design, with drinking water quality becoming a clear priority for many homeowners. As awareness grows around water purity and contaminants, more people are choosing built-in filtration systems. Multi-function taps with filtration, remineralisation and chilled-water options provide cleaner drinking water straight from the tap. They also help reduce reliance on bottled water.
Homeowners are also more interested in steam and combi-steam ovens, which support healthier cooking methods. Quieter appliances are another key focus, particularly in open-plan and broken-plan homes where controlling noise is important.
Designers are supporting wellbeing through thoughtful layout and material choices. More natural light, lighter finishes and calm seating areas help create kitchens that feel comfortable and restorative. Subtle planting adds warmth and supports a slower, more relaxed way of living.
13. Sustainable Kitchens
Sustainability continues to shape design decisions, with homeowners becoming more discerning about the materials they choose. Recycled composite surfaces, reclaimed woods, sintered stone and low-silica worktops offer environmentally responsible alternatives that complement the warm, natural aesthetic of 2026.
At the same time, there is growing awareness of the limits of lower-cost, mass-produced materials. These products can lack transparency around sourcing and often fall short in durability. Clients are choosing higher-quality materials that offer both durability and a reduced ecological footprint.
This more considered approach creates kitchens that perform well over time and support environmentally responsible living.
In Short…
Kitchen design trends for 2026 are warmer, more tactile and more thoughtfully crafted. Richer timbers, sculptural stone, softened forms and refined detailing are replacing cooler neutrals and hard lines, creating kitchens with greater depth and character.
Layered lighting, wellness-led features and discreet smart technology support kitchens that feel both atmospheric and highly functional. Sustainability continues to influence material choices, with a focus on durability and long-term performance.
Overall, 2026 kitchen trends are softer, more architectural and more human-centred. Every element feels intentional, warm and, balanced and built to last.
Discuss Your New Kitchen Ideas
Speak with one of our designers to explore how we can tailored the 2026 trends to your home, your space and the way you live.
