If the paint colour trends for 2026 are anything to go by, expect everything to be even bigger and better on the kitchen front this year.
What’s clear across the interior world is that we are continuing to lean into both materials and colours that take inspiration, or in fact come from the outside world around us. There’s something comforting about creating earthy schemes, and it’s forming an essential layer in much of the interior trends that are on the horizon for the new year.
Whilst trends come and go, this year I am rounding up new trends with utterly timeless appeal. I design in the same way, and it’s even more important when it comes to the investment of a kitchen – design choices that will still feel relatable in years to come.
These are the trends that you need to know about for 2026, as told by the design experts and industry insiders.
Kitchen Trends 2026: The Latest Looks You’ll See Everywhere Next Year
As an interiors writer and designer, there’s no escaping from the fact that people are designing their homes based on the nature that surrounds us, whether that’s intentional, or a subconscious pull.
Homeowners have become more in-tune with how they want to feel at home, and we’re seeing this reflection with colours, natural materials and the selection of more imperfect choices that feel natural and engage the eye visually in different ways.
Mike Head, Company Director at Atlas Ceramics, a UK-based tile and ceramics business with 20 years of experience tracking kitchen design trends added, “The biggest shift I’m observing is toward material authenticity over manufactured perfection“.
“Customers are moving away from uniform, flawless surfaces and embracing natural stone with visible veining, handmade tiles with slight irregularities, and finishes that show character. This reflects a broader desire for homes that feel crafted and personal”.
Natural Textures
Authentic, natural materials are at the heart of earthy inspired design. Organic materials have the ability to ground us, bringing a tactile effect to a kitchen that goes far beyond being a trend.
Isabel Fernandez, director at Quorn Stone, the UK’s leading natural stone and porcelain tile specialist “Looking ahead to 2026, kitchens are set to embrace more natural textures and layered tonal palettes, with a balance of warm and cool surfaces. Porcelain tiles that echo the look of stone, concrete, or wood are a wonderful way to achieve this, bringing the character of natural materials with the added benefit of durability and easy upkeep”.
Mike added, “Porcelain in natural stone finishes continues growing because it offers the beauty of marble or limestone without the maintenance challenges. Technology improvements mean porcelain now replicates natural stone so convincingly that most people cannot tell the difference”.
Along with specific tile choices, other natural materials such as wood, marble and glass are enduringly popular design choices that can be used throughout your kitchen with your cabinetry, worktops, furniture and lighting choices.
My top tip: You don’t have to undergo a complete kitchen renovation to make the most of this. One of my favourite inexpensive natural materials is rattan. Introducing it through decor accessories, baskets or lighting is a lovely way to add natural warmth that will define any colour scheme you have.
A Lean Towards Deeper, Earthier Neutrals
White, cream and washed out neutrals have had their moment, and people are seeking much more warmth and comfort from their kitchens in 2026.
Dorothy Weise, Interior Design Department Lead at Chapter said,“Earthy neutrals like clay, mushroom, and putty were introduced in 2025 and will continue to be on the rise. We’re also seeing deep, desaturated blues and greens that pair beautifully with dark metals and warm stones. Wall colours are moving away from crisp white toward soft hues that echo nature. Think creamy limestone, warm taupe, and smoky undertones that enhance the cosy feeling of the kitchen aesthetic.”.
A darker choice on cabinetry with a lighter shade on the walls is a winning combination right now. It effortlessly grounds a kitchen space, and it goes without saying that darker colours are ideal in busy homes with kids and pets as they don’t show dirt as easily.
My top tip: Test paint before committing. Colours can look vastly different on screens as they do from one home to another, this is all to do with light. Darker shades can feel more dominating in north facing kitchens where warmer, more uplifting shades will help to balance any blue light associated with the room.
Function Is Driving The Design of Kitchen Islands
Where space is a privilege to house a kitchen island, the opportunity to maximise what you have available is key as far as the trends for kitchen islands are heading.
Function is driving island design more than before, and Mike shared with us that more customers are specifying built-in storage solutions, integrated appliances, and surfaces that accommodate both food prep and dining within their kitchen islands.“The decorative island is disappearing in favour of hardworking spaces that justify their footprint”, added Mike.
Dorothy agreed, “The kitchen island will continue to evolve as a multifunctional centrepiece. For 2026, it’s all about integrated living, housing small appliances like drawer microwaves, discreet storage for stand mixers with lift mechanisms, and hidden charging drawers”.
“Whenever space allows, bar seating remains a must-have, reinforcing the kitchen’s role as the ultimate gathering spot. These islands are designed not only for meal prep but also a hub for family breakfasts, casual entertaining, and everything in between”.
My top tip: Rather than having everything enclosed within your island, consider adding an open element such as a lower shelf to your island, as shown in the image below. It really breaks up the monotony of a run of cabinets on the base and creates a unique opportunity for displaying your favourite tableware. It also helps to engage the eye visually from a different perspective.
Full Height Backsplashes
Recent years have seen the removal of upper cabinetry and a shift towards adding shelving with a backsplash that runs up to the underneath of it. But 2026? We’re seeing the elevation of full height backsplashes from the start of the worktop to the edge of the ceiling, and I am here for it!
A full height backsplash instantly draws the eye up to the ceiling, giving the illusion of a bigger kitchen, unlike a split shelf which can cause the room to feel more cluttered, and shorter than it actually is.
Richie David, President and CEO of Totally Home, brings 23 years of experience in eCommerce and product development. Overseeing more than 12,000 kitchen orders each quarter, he has a front-row view of emerging trends—seeing firsthand what homeowners want, what installers prefer, and what truly works in real kitchens day after day.
“Backsplashes go full height with big format porcelain or sintered stone due to the consumers attractive toward less grout and faster wipe downs. We do from six to twelve millimeter panels with a tight three millimeter shadow reveal applied, then a slim stainless rail around forty six inches that holds ladles and thermometers. Most kitchens gained 2 square feet of open counter and resale photos are instantly calmer looking”.
There’s also a trend towards ’tile drenching’ across the home for a seamless, minimal feel. “Integrated backsplashes using the same material as countertops create a seamless look. This works well with porcelain slabs that can extend from counter to ceiling, eliminating transition lines and reducing installation complexity”, said Mike.
Artisan, Natural Tile Choices
In the quest of creating a more unique and personal kitchen, artisan and natural tile choices are becoming the hottest contender when it comes to creating backsplashes.
Perhaps the best part of natural tile choices such as zellige and bejmat tiles is that they have a slightly imperfect look to them as each tile has a slight colour and size variation to it. This reflects the Japanese art of wabi-sabi, which embraces natural irregularities and the charm of the handmade. It’s a look that adds warmth and authenticity, softening sleek modern spaces and giving kitchens a timeless, artisan feel.
Diane is seeing this more in her designs and said, “Designers are breaking up those large-format slabs with mixed materials, piecing in glossy Zellige or honed mosaics to soften the look. The result feels more artisanal and less clinical, striking a balance between polish and personality”.
Note sure where to get started? Take inspiration from Ca’ Pietras new collection of tiles by Diane Savages, a renown wallpaper brand. The ceramic tiles have a slightly imperfect feel to them and semi gloss finish with the most beautifully crafted design for a truly unique feel.
Soft Sage Green Is The Colour of The Moment
According to Rick Berres, Owner of Honey-Doers, there’s only one colour worth knowing about when it comes to kitchens in 2026.
“It’s all about sage green this year, and there is no contest. Walls, cabinets, tiling, it’s even extending to other rooms. Sage green is an exceptional choice because it adds more color and warmth than a Millennial grey, but it’s still neutral”.
Sage green is by no means a new entrant this year as it’s been doing the rounds for the last few years, but it remains so popular because of its unique positioning on the colour wheel. Sage green sits in the centre of the colour wheel which virtually makes it the easiest colour on the eye, it’s instantly soothing to be around.
This colour is ultimately timeless, and unlike the cream and white kitchens of the past, you really can’t go far wrong when selecting a green for a kitchen.
Richie added, “I love cabinet colors which are calm and rooted, since homes sometimes are decorated under 3000K LEDs and the variability of natural light. The low chroma greens, warm mushroom and soft navy make the wood and stone honest”.
There’s plenty of sage green shades worth knowing about, but Farrow and Ball Vert De Terre is one of my favourites. A mid level green that’s grounding and feels good to be around.
Mixing Materials Throughout
Just like colour, we’re continuing to see more personality and exploration through material and hardware choices in a kitchen. One steadfast finish throughout is quickly becoming the most dated way you can design a kitchen.
“Uniform finishes are out and layered metals are in. We’re seeing the pairing of aged brass and polished nickel, or matte black with stainless steel, to add texture and depth.
Hardware is becoming the jewellery of the kitchen, and designers can use it to introduce personality and contrast. Think of it as a way to tell a story: refined yet eclectic, cohesive but not overly coordinated”, said Diane.
Through these unique pairings of materials, we’re at the crux of what’s ringing true for kitchens in 2026, and that’s creating unique spaces that are personal and tactile.
“The kitchen of 2026 is less about perfection and more about personality. It’s a space that feels collected rather than constructed, rooted in craftsmanship and enriched with functionality. Warm woods, textured finishes, and a touch of imperfection are coming together to make it truly beautiful”, added Diane.
Photographer: Paul Craig @paullmcraig
We’re Ditching Upper Cabinetry
If you have a kitchen that’s lacking on space, upper cabinetry is undoubetdly going to be an effective choice. But with larger kitchens or those that are wanting to achieve a more aesthetic angle, it’s time to ditch those upper cabinets.
It’s something that I did in my own coastal kitchen renovation, and the result is incredible. Upper cabinets that don’t extend to the ceiling have a habit of cutting the room off, whilst sucking in light and making a kitchen feel more cluttered than it is.
When designing kitchens it can feel counter intuative to ditch more storage opportunities, but this need to fill every inch of space is ruining designs.
It’s giving the opportunity for more design choices, whether you lean into an elevated worktop to ceiling backsplash or a set of open shelves for styling opportunities, and an easy way to grab and see what you need when cooking.
My top tip: When designing your kitchen don’t be afraid to make changes during the process. In fact, sometimes it might not be until the demolition stage that you realise you love the extra light and visual scope you have without upper cabinets there. Whilst it may not be practical for every kitchen, it’s definitely one worth considering.
