“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”
It’s time to talk kitchens—arguably my favorite subject as Country Living‘s Senior Homes + Style Editor. Of all the different topics I cover, I probably spend the most time thinking, writing, and talking about kitchens. Whether it’s my monthly kitchen column, Currently Craving, in the magazine or regular trend reports for you here online, I’ve always got something new to share, and my yearly trend report is probably my favorite story of all.
I spent all of 2025 gathering ideas, both from my own experience in the field and from conversations with industry professionals, to distill into this 2026 kitchen trend report. Below, you’ll find the top five trends I think are worth considering in 2026. From refreshed color palettes—don’t hate me, but white kitchens might just be making a comeback—to must-have materials, these ideas prove that kitchen design is heading to new and exciting places next year.
Statement Islands
Worktable islands—as opposed to large, traditional built-ins—emerged as a trend this past year, but expect them to really hit the mainstream in 2026. “Farm tables reimagined as kitchen islands will become statement pieces, blending rustic charm with functional elegance,” says designer Anthony D’Argenzio.
Paul O’Leary, founder of the beloved British kitchen brand deVOL, echoes the sentiment, highlighting oversized, counter-height worktable islands that are more utilitarian than precious as the island of choice for kitchens in 2026.
Unfitted + European-Style Kitchens
You can’t have worktable islands as a trend without acknowledging the popularity of unfitted kitchens. Designer Hadley Wiggins identified “unfitted kitchens and freestanding storage [pieces] that feel collected over time, rather than built in a day” as one of the major trends she’s looking forward to in 2026. Unfitted kitchens have long been popular in the UK, but expect them to hit their zenith stateside in 2026. (For a full rundown on what an unfitted kitchen is, read our explainer here.)
The unfitted kitchen trend, though, is only a symptom of a larger trend I’ve been watching over the past few months: kitchens inspired by continental Europe. The Brits may have ruled the kitchen conversation in 2025, but expect design styles from French-speaking countries like Belgium and France to dominate 2026. In fact, Anthony specifically identified French kitchens as an emerging trend, and he wasn’t alone.
“For 2026, I envision country design continuing to draw deeply from the European landscape, shifting its gaze beyond the familiar English countryside toward the understated elegance of Belgian country homes,” says designer Becca Casey. Expect to see warm terra-cotta (a trending color next year—read more on that below) and biscuit hues, upholstery featuring faded florals or nubby linens, and breezy cafe curtains hung on old brass rails. Stove coves and copper pots and pans—the ones you actually use, not just for display—can expect to have their own moments this year.
White Kitchens Are Back
For the first time ever, Pantone chose a white as its Color of the Year, and while many fans were vocal over how much they didn’t like the choice, Pantone wasn’t all wrong. As I wrote in my 2026 color trend report, I do believe we‘re going to see more neutrals next year, but they’re nothing like the stark white of Pantone’s “Cloud Dancer.” Instead, especially in the kitchen, we’re going to see warm, creamy shades making a major comeback.
The experts at the National Kitchens & Bath Association (NKBA) agree. In their annual kitchen trend report, the NKBA noted neutrals as their top color trend of the year, with 96% of professionals surveyed saying neutral shades will dominate. Expect these warm white shades to be livened up with textural elements like beadboard paneling or zellige tile.
RELATED: These Are the Best Warm White Paint Colors, According to Designers
…But Color Isn’t Going Anywhere
With color choices leaning more neutral, you might expect the entire kitchen to be devoid of color, but experts at the National Kitchen & Bath Association say otherwise. Expect powerful pops of earth tones—especially blue and green—to trend. Color will come through in backsplashes, two-toned cabinetry, and, in a surprising twist, via wallpaper—proving once and for all that yes, you can have wallpaper in places like your kitchen and bathroom.
RELATED: Our Best Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas Ever
Planned Patina
Now, this is one trend we here at Country Living can get behind. The “Planned Patina” trend is all about embracing the messy reality that kitchens are meant to be used and lived in. Not everything is meant to—or needs to—be slick and modern like stainless steel.
“We’re seeing a celebration of the imperfect: wood that shows its grain, hardware with patina, hand-painted surfaces that wear gracefully,” says kitchen designer and founder of Unique Kitchens & Baths, Tanya Smith-Shifflet. “We’re even seeing a renewed embrace of the kitchen table, a piece that blends craftsmanship with daily life and reminds us kitchens are for living, not just cooking.” Expect worn wood tones, chippy furniture, and antiques from different eras to fill kitchens in 2026.
You Might Also Like
Read more here: Click Here
