THE KITCHEN TRENDS I’M LOVING (AND USING) FOR 2026
- Amanda Shields
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
Lately, I’ve been feeling this shift in the kitchens I’m designing — a move away from bright white everything and into spaces with more warmth, depth, and personality. We’ve been inching in this direction for a few years now, but it’s becoming more and more clear that people are craving kitchens that feel lived-in and soulful, not sterile or overly perfect.
2026 feels like the year that momentum really settles in. Think layers, natural materials, and choices that feel considered rather than trendy. I’m seeing the same themes come up across client meetings, trade previews, and the projects on my desk, and they’re all pointing toward the same thing: kitchens that feel comforting, grounded, and genuinely timeless.
If you’re planning a renovation, these are the ideas I keep coming back to — the ones shaping my designs right now.
Warmer wood tones are replacing lighter white oaks, adding depth and a more grounded, timeless feel to kitchens
Photography @mike_chajecki
1.
WARMER WOOD CABINETS with
DEPTH and CHARACTER
Light white oak will always have its place, but there’s this renewed appetite for wood tones that bring a bit more soul. I’m seeing clients reach for honeyed stains, chestnut browns, and those deeper, richer finishes that instantly give a kitchen more dimension.
It’s a natural move toward warmth and away from the cooler palettes that dominated for so long. These wood tones pair beautifully with natural stone and moodier colours, creating a kitchen that feels grounded without going heavy.
2.
NATURAL STONE:
LETTING the MATERIAL do the TALKING
The desire for authentic materials is stronger than ever. Quartzite and marble continue to lead the way, especially when used as full-slab backsplashes. It’s such a clean, elevated look, and it really lets the stone shine.
Clients are embracing movement and veining again — not in a loud or busy way, but in a way that honours what the stone naturally is. Marble, in particular, brings that old-world patina that feels timeless. Its subtle irregularities aren’t flaws; they’re part of its charm.
Side note: if you’re in slab-selection mode and want a few insider tips, I wrote a full post on choosing the perfect slab.
Hidden storage concealed behind a full marble backsplash—where beauty and function quietly meet.
Spotted at the Bloomsbury booth at the Living Luxe Show.
3.
HIDDEN DOORS and
CLEVER STORAGE MOMENTS
Panel-ready appliances have been around forever — the fridge that disappears into the cabinetry isn’t surprising anymore. But what I’m seeing now (and leaning into myself) feels like the next layer of that idea. Storage is becoming quieter, smarter, and honestly a little playful.
Hidden doors that lead to a pantry. Spice racks tucked right behind the backsplash. Appliance garages that vanish completely when you’re done with them. It leans into that clutter-less kitchen everyone wants, but it also adds a little peek-a-boo moment — that split second where someone notices a detail they didn’t see at first glance.
These small, thoughtful moves keep the space feeling calm and uninterrupted, while still giving the kitchen a bit of personality and surprise.
4.
HOOD NOOKS:
a small DETAIL with a BIG PAYOFF
One detail I find myself returning to over and over is the hood nook. Instead of a standalone range hood, the hood is tucked into a sculptural niche or an arch, and it instantly elevates the space.
It softens the overall look, adds architectural interest, and creates a moment that feels custom without feeling precious. It’s subtle, but it completely shifts the feel of the room — in the best way.
Instead of a traditional exposed hood, a recessed hood nook adds depth, warmth, and a sense of quiet architecture.
Photography @mike_chajecki
5.
FURNITURE -INSPIRED DETAILS
for a COLLECTED LOOK
Kitchens are feeling less like utility zones and more like extensions of the main living spaces — and furniture-inspired details are a big part of that. Islands with furniture-style bases, mixed metal hardware, curated open shelves, and quiet fluted elements are becoming go-to moves.
These touches give a kitchen that “collected over time” feel, where nothing looks overly built-in or matchy. It’s warm, it’s approachable, and it helps the kitchen sit comfortably with the rest of the home.
A furniture-style island adds warmth, character, and a more relaxed feel to the kitchen.
Photo @Wayfair
6.
MOODIER PALETTES that
still FEEL CLASSIC
White kitchens aren’t going anywhere, but they’re no longer the automatic “safe choice.” More and more, clients are gravitating toward warm blacks, earthy taupes, rich browns, and those deep greens that have become a bit of a signature in my projects. On the trendier side, I’m also seeing these rich burgundy browns come forward — a deeper, moodier tone that adds warmth and character without feeling flashy.
Even people who start out wanting a crisp white kitchen usually end up leaning toward something a little creamier, softer, and more lived-in. When you layer these tones with warmer woods, the whole space feels inviting rather than stark — like a room you actually want to spend time in.
Moodier paint colours and weathered bronze finishes bring depth and warmth to the space.
Handles @handlethisltd
7.
WARMER METAL FINISHES
are HAVING a MOMENT
Brushed gold is still the front-runner — it’s classic, it’s warm, and it plays nicely with almost every palette. But I’m starting to see a shift toward hardware that feels a little more aged-in and collected. Think antiqued gold, deeper bronze tones, and finishes with a bit more patina.
It’s less about shiny perfection and more about how the metal layers with the rest of the materials in the space. These warmer, moodier metals feel timeless and grounded, especially alongside rich woods and natural stone.
They add depth without shouting — exactly the direction kitchens are heading.
the BOTTOM LINE
None of these ideas exist on their own — they’re all part of a bigger shift toward kitchens that feel warm, layered, and intentionally put together. People want spaces that function beautifully but don’t feel precious, rooms that look collected rather than overly designed, and materials that hold up both in style and everyday life.
What I love is how naturally these choices play off one another. The richer wood tones, moodier palettes, stone with real movement, hidden storage moments, hardware with a touch of patina — they all work together to create a kitchen that feels grounded and quietly elevated. Nothing is shouting for attention, but everything has purpose.
If you’re renovating in 2026, leaning into these elements is a great place to start. They have that long-lasting, lived-in quality that still feels right years down the road — well after the dust settles and the kitchen becomes part of your everyday rhythm.
If you’re planning a renovation and want help getting clear on your design direction and your budget, let’s talk. We’re currently booking full-service projects for Spring 2026.
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