Healthy living, smart tech, multifunctionality and personalized luxury emerged as the trends with the most momentum in NKBA’s “2026 Kitchen Trends Report.” This exclusive annual research – a survey of more than 600 kitchen and bath professionals, including designers, manufacturers, builders/remodelers, dealers and other specialists – identifies the latest design directions, products, features and materials likely to be popular next year and beyond.
The findings were detailed online during a Kitchen Trends Summit and released on NKBA’s website at NKBA.org/insights/research. New for the 2026 kitchen trends report is trend-tracking along the “Adoption Curve.” This shows where trends stand in terms of their longevity, categorized as emerging, growing, mainstream or in decline. NKBA found that most of the 2026 kitchen trends tracked are in the growing or mainstream phases.
Trends in the “growing” category that are popular and still have more upside potential include:
• Design that meets multigenerational needs
• Interconnected living spaces
• Low-maintenance, time-saving and easy-to-use products
• Brands that reflect personal values
• Achieving luxury through personalization
• Integrating smart technology for efficiency, convenience and personalization
• Multifunction, hybrid products
• Merging indoor and outdoor spaces
• Simplified interfaces
• Blending design and technology to create wellness-focused spaces
Some kitchen design trends are still popular but have become “mainstream.” These include:
• Kitchens that set the aesthetic and emotional tone for the whole house
• Activity zones that improve workflow and function
• Prioritizing style over sustainability
• Combining open display storage with hidden storage solutions
Abundant natural light and the use of earth tones and organic materials are growing trends for 2026, as is seen in this kitchen by Jonne Vandehey. Photo credit: Eckert and Eckert
Themes Driving 2026 Kitchen Trends
Bigger & Better
Kitchens have taken on a larger role in the overall design of the home, according to 76% of respondents. Materials like flooring, cabinetry and countertops unify the entire space. Clear sightlines, open spaces and natural light further connect the kitchen to other rooms. This is also achieved with integrated panel-ready appliances, matching cabinetry, slab backsplashes and hidden storage doors, all of which work together to create a cohesive space.
Shifting Spaces
Some 75% of respondents said kitchens are getting larger, even if homes are not. This extra area must come from somewhere, and homeowners are often usurping square footage from adjacent, underused parts of the house – like formal dining rooms. Case in point: 71% said dining rooms are decreasing. Key ways to make kitchens feel larger, according to the survey, include reducing clutter (81%), using larger windows or glass walls (80%), eliminating the formal dining room altogether (79%) and connecting to outdoor living spaces (71%).
Health & Wellness
Kitchens are increasingly designed with health and well-being in mind. Elements of wellness-focused kitchens include abundant use of natural light and high-quality, layered lighting; a connection to the outdoors; air and water filtration; appliances that foster healthy cooking and eating; and spaces that encourage social interaction.
Many homeowners say the rise of steam ovens has been transformative, as they allow healthier cooking that preserves nutrients and flavors. Lighting also promotes a feeling of wellness, with 96% citing natural light as an important feature in design.
In many homes, kitchens are the social hub, with 96% of designers surveyed noting that islands encourage people to gather, relax and connect. They serve as places to prep, work, eat and socialize. Multifunctional and oversized islands are also storage and organization powerhouses, with customized cabinetry tailored to the family’s unique storage needs.
Personalization
Expressions of personal style are both aesthetic and practical. It could be the color, pattern or finish on a backsplash or cabinets; a treasured piece of art that inspires a color theme; or a travel memento that sets the mood of a space. Practical personalization could be an eye-catching faucet, a customized pet station, a mud room with a drop zone or a walk-in pantry that accommodates a beverage station, additional sink or refrigerator and storage for countertop appliances. Personalization is what sets the kitchen apart. Homeowners who maximize storage with floor-to-ceiling and rotating corner cabinets and roll-out drawers know their space is designed expressly for their needs. Even a single design choice can make a bold statement.
Seamlessly integrated smart technology is also growing in demand. This includes Wi-Fi-enabled appliances, motion-sensor lighting and faucets and embedded charging stations conveniently – and discretely – located throughout the space.
Key Colors & Textures
After years of white and gray dominating the scene, color has roared its way back into the kitchen. Natural materials and earthy tones have soared to the top of the rankings, with greens in first place, cited by 86%, followed by blues (78%) and browns (67%), with white (47%) and gray (43%) rounding out the top five. Softer tones create a tranquil environment. Bolder colors and patterns pop up on backsplashes or as accents on islands or selected cabinets.
Transitional style remains the preferred design trend, followed by contemporary/modern/minimalist and organic/natural, consistent with last year’s findings. This suggests a demand for designs that blend timeless appeal with modern functionality.
Generational Trends
Naturally, different generations have different priorities, depending on where they are in their lives and their spending ability. Younger generations may push for more personalization and technology, while older groups prioritize safety and convenience. Everyone agrees that comfort, function and easy maintenance are top priorities.
Gen X (age 44 to 59) spends the most on renovations and is looking to increase home value and accommodate multigenerational living. Boomers (age 60 to 78), who have the second-highest spending, value durability and tradition, and like their counterparts in the Silent Generation (79+), they’re looking for accessibility and safety. Millennials (28 to 43) with kids are looking for family-friendly function, while millennials without kids want great spaces for entertaining. Gen Z homeowners (up to age 28), who spend the least at this point in their lives, are more interested in refreshing their space to make it more current.
Oversized, multifunctional islands serve as hubs where people gather, work and eat like in this kitchen design by Amber Weekly. Continuous flooring and wood tones extend the kitchen visually to other parts of the living space. Photo credit: Rob Grosse
The full “NKBA 2026 Kitchen Trends Report” also offers a detailed analysis of specific design directions, remodeling modifications and product categories. It is available to NKBA members as part of their membership or may be purchased by non-members. To learn more, click here.
—Dianne M. Pogoda, NKBA | KBIS contributor
