The Coolest Kitchen Trends Coming For 2026
By
2 months ago
What’s cooking?
With more Brits than ever choosing to ‘improve, not move’ their homes, the interest in DIY transformations has never been bigger. And if your next project takes place in the kitchen, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we delve into 2026’s biggest kitchen trends, as told by industry experts and designers.
The Biggest Kitchen Trends For 2026
A house wouldn’t be a home without a kitchen – which is why it’s often the subject of renovation projects and DIY tasks. ‘Kitchens – the rooms used to literally sustain life, through food and drink – are primordial places, so a lot of people want to use it as a space to express security, safety and soul,’ notes Leila Touwen, co-founder of Pluck. ‘There isn’t really one rule to follow. The point is self-expression; what feels minimalist and cold to one person, will be calming and cleansing to the next. One person’s collection is another person’s clutter. It is just the idea of expressing who you really are through your kitchen’s design to create a space that you are absolutely comfortable in.’
And with comfort comes ample opportunity to make the space your own – which is where some of the biggest interior design trends of the year come in. ‘The passion for personal, nurturing kitchens will continue to evolve with the use of colour, or the commitment to an absence of colour along with individual design details to create a space that is just right for each home,’ predicts Leila. ‘It is true to say that the world feels pretty unstable right now, and so more than ever our homes become a refuge, predictable, reliable and safe places.’
Keen to see how this will play out at home? These are the kitchen trends to have on your radar in 2026:
Top Trends At A Glance
- Mix-And-Match Cabinets
- Fluted Details
- Natural Materials
- Wood Kitchens
- Leafy Greens
- Moody-Warm Tones
- Freestanding Furniture
- Soft Silhouettes
- Coloured Lacquers
- Hosting Heroes
Neptune
1. Mix-And-Match Cabinets
We’re leaving matchy-matchy interiors behind us in 2026 – and instead embracing a more curated, personal touch in the kitchen. ‘We’re seeing customers moving away from completely matching cabinetry towards a more mix and match style,’ notes Fred Herlock, Design Director at Neptune. ‘Think complementary paint colours being used on wall cabinets to base cabinets, mixing natural wood finishes with painted, or freestanding kitchen furniture like larders and islands alongside more traditional, fitted cabinetry.
‘This gives the sense that the kitchen has evolved over time, evoking vintage kitchens of old, and helps to give the kitchen personality and warmth with the use of different colours, textures and materials.’
Sola
2. Fluted Details
Another trend taking over our kitchen cupboards, fluted doors – which see cabinets decorated with vertical concave grooves or ridges – are set to habe a majoy moment this year. ‘We’ve seen a real shift toward kitchens that feel crafted, and fluted doors are the perfect expression of that,’ says Rhiannon Phenis, Head of Design at Sola. ‘They’re subtle, tactile, and architectural without being overwhelming.’
Neptune
3. Natural Materials
And speaking of tactile finishes, one of this year’s sweeping interior design trends is natural materials. ‘Solid oak finishes and natural stone worktops provide a look that is considered and timeless,’ emphasises Fred. ‘Mixed in with materials like rattan on lighting or accessories, soft linens and solid brass hardware, you can create an inviting yet functional space filled with depth and personality.’
Pluck
4. Wood Kitchens
The maximalist take on natural textures? Go beyond the finishes and accessories, and dress the whole kitchen in wood. ‘All-wood kitchens, and wooden cupboards that are dedicated to the beauty of the swirling grain are having a big moment,’ says Leila. ‘The emphasis is on warm tones and undulating, uneven texture that can only be introduced to a scheme by wood. Again, it’s grounding, reassuring, rooted in nature.’
It’s this craving for warmth in kitchen interiors that’s driving the trend, says Rhiannon. ‘There’s a real craving for soft heat in their interiors,’ she says. ‘Mid-tone woods like walnut and smoked oak add richness and character, without the heaviness of darker finishes, making them a go-to choice.’
Pluck
5. Leafy Greens
The craving for naturalness even extends to the colour palettes we’re picking for the kitchen. ‘We are seeing a move towards green hues, from pale celadon to earthy olives as clients put wellbeing and relaxation at home at the top of their wish lists,’ notes Richard Moore, Creative Director at Martin Moore.
And while there are plenty of greens to choose from, the hue taking over this year boasts a leafier hue. ‘Kitchen cupboard greens will be fresh and leafy this year,’ predicts Leila. ‘More muted, soft, sagey shades have been embraced with vigour – and understandably so – but a punchier shade, that feels like looking at moss or bracken in summer, so evocative of life, will be the green of 2026.’
Pluck
6. Moody-Warm Tones
Aside from shades of green, the experts tell us that warm hues with moody undertones will set the tone for kitchen design in 2026. ‘The other colours I think we’ll be seeing are rich and dark warm tones – deep clay reds and plums, specifically,’ confirms Leila. ‘For me, these colours get lost if used as a small accent, so work better when used on a larger area. They look beautiful with glints of metal, pale blues, woods and beiges; sumptuous, velvety colours that feel earthy and grounded.’
Pluck
7. Freestanding Furniture
Moving beyond colour palettes and finishes, the experts also see a revival of freestanding furniture this year. ‘People are looking for a more flexible and multifunctional approach that doesn’t compromise on style, which is where freestanding furniture shines,’ says Fred. ‘Having the ability to move pieces around the kitchen, or even from home to home as you move, offers a more fluid, informal approach to cabinetry that can evolve over time with your needs.’
Neptune
8. Soft Silhouettes
It’s not just bathrooms getting the softcore treatment – kitchens will experience a shift towards fluid silhouettes in 2026 too. ‘Softer shapes in the kitchen seem to be having a renaissance,’ confirms Fred. ‘Think gracefully curved corners and tapered legs. For a fluid, informal approach to cabinetry, it brings a contemporary ease and character that feels both timeless and modern. Or, for a more statement piece, opt for curved cabinetry in a contrasting colour; this will help give your kitchen a more striking look.’
Sola
9. Coloured Lacquers
Caught between natural wood finishes and colour? This 2026 lets you have both. ‘Thin coloured lacquers on wood lets you see the grain through a veil of colour,’ explains Rhiannon. ‘It’s soft, sophisticated, and feels layered. A lovely way to use colour without overpowering the space.’
Martin Moore
10. Hosting Heroes
It’s not just style we want from our kitchens in 2026 – we also want them to function as chic hosting spaces. ‘Entertaining at home is going from strength to strength,’ notes Richard, who sees personalised hosting features taking centre stage in 2026. ‘We predict not only a marked increase in home bars, drinks cabinets and wine room but an increase to the space given over to these custom-designed areas.’
