Decorating & Design
Our Deputy Editor Shares Four Key Looks For Kitchens In 2026
Published on April 7, 2026
What’s cooking? In our 2026 Kitchen Report, H&H’s Deputy Editor Emma Reddington breaks down the 2026 kitchen trends — and how to bring each style home.
1. The Layered Kitchen
A layered kitchen is all about the mix. Think cabinets in different hues or finishes, patterned floor or backsplash moments, tactile touches like bouclé stools or fluted wood, and a confident blend of metal finishes. It’s the art of styling pieces on open shelves so they feel effortless together, creating a space full of personality.
1. Ingels pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting, pricing upon request. Robinson Lighting & Bath. 2. Attico stoneware tile in Camden Natural Porcelain by Vives Ceramica, $16.50/sq.ft. Mettro Source. 3. Yorktowne Green (HC-133), Benjamin Moore. 4. Pale Oak (OC-20), Benjamin Moore.
2. The Old World Kitchen
The old world kitchen is designed to be as inviting and lived-in as the rest of the house. Create the look by layering in furniture-style pieces including work tables and hutches in place of wall-to-wall cabinets, then soften the space with drapes and patterned runners. Finish it off with comfortable seating to make the kitchen feel more like a gathering room than a work zone.
1. Hanging Hexagonal Treaty Port lantern in Lulworth Blue, pricing upon request. Charles Edwards. 2. Harding cabinet by Amber Lewis for Four Hands, $10,009. Ah-Bohd Home Store. 3. The dairy table. deVOL Kitchens. 4. Blackberry wallpaper in Sea Green 483, $1,800/roll. Marthe Armitage.
Decorative fridge cabinets or hutches like this mulberry painted version by Côte de Folk disguise the refrigerator to make it look like a vintage armoire rather than an appliance.
3. The Contemporary Tech Kitchen
A contemporary high-tech kitchen pairs clean-lined design with seamlessly integrated innovation. We’re talking handleless cabinets, hidden appliances and induction cooktops, all unified by sleek materials such as stainless steel and engineered stone. The key is technology that works quietly in the background, enhancing function without disrupting the kitchen’s minimalist aesthetic.
1. 35¾” Whitehaven Undermount Single-bowl Farmhouse Kitchen sink in Aspen Green by Kohler, $4,001. Muti Kitchen & Bath. 2. Icon 8477 Ocean Sage surface, From $70/sq.ft. Caesarstone. 3. 36″ NextGen Downdraft Induction cooktop by JennAir, $7,000. Trail Appliances. 4. Tribeca stool in Terracotta, pricing upon request. Scavolini.
4. The Future Kitchen
Looking ahead, dedicated zones are the next frontier in kitchen customization. Homeowners are requesting bespoke spaces devoted to everything from home baking and coffee roasting to full-on fromagerie or tea preparation stations. Also, expect to see artisanal details like marquetry panels or other custom door treatments to be incorporated into cabinet design.
1930s marquetry panels repurposed as cabinet fronts create a one-of-a-kind, bespoke look. Add modern tension by installing a sleek stainless steel counter and backsplash.
Workstation sinks are mega-sized multitaskers that mix cutting boards, colanders and compost bins into one sleek zone — and many come with a second faucet.
Henry Chronos Double Gooseneck Integrated Pull Spray Kitchen faucet with Lever Handles by Waterworks, $15,464. Ginger’s.
Dedicated zones like this pickling cabinet by Lanserring are just the beginning.