2026 Kitchen Trends: Light, Color, and Unexpected Materials

This year’s kitchen design trends are presented by brands at the forefront of design, culinary magic, and food technology. Each year, we seek out the most outstanding kitchen design concepts from the world’s top brands—those that masterfully blend functionality with minimalist design and exquisite craftsmanship.

These meticulously designed, aesthetically striking kitchens adhere to the golden rule of kitchen design: creating an efficient, practical space. This理念 is perfectly embodied in modern kitchens, where storage is cleverly integrated for easy access, and functionality merges seamlessly into the overall design without compromising beauty.

Explore 2026’s most influential kitchen design concepts—from luminous surfaces to surprising materials, from kitchen islands built for collaboration and entertaining to unprecedented uses of color. Join us on a journey through the latest kitchen trends, breaking the boundaries between practical design and aesthetic pursuit to create全新 creative ways to cook, prep, and host.

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TREND 01 /

The Collaborative Kitchen

Kitchen Trends

Integrated kitchen islands add beauty and simplicity to kitchen functionality.

We’re particularly drawn to Boffi’s “Cove,” a kitchen designed by Zaha Hadid. First launched as a limited-edition model in 2017, it has now been upgraded with a full-length snack counter that complements the island. Zaha Hadid’s signature sinuous, dynamic forms provide the perfect foundation for a spacious collaborative kitchen, making it easy to prep, cook, and entertain. This year, its countertops also feature new materials and colors, including Verde Alpi marble; cabinet panels can be finished with metallic-effect paint or raw clay mixed with resin.

TREND 02 /

Silky Colourwork

Kitchen Trends

While neutral tones still dominate kitchens, in recent years, more designers have begun offering bold alternatives to break free from understated palettes.

This year’s standout is R&D Cesar’s “N_Elle,” featuring the stunning “Nuance” glass finish crafted by Spanish studio García Cumini (which also serves as artistic director). The silky Nuance finish, inspired by the delicate glass craftsmanship of the last century, aims to capture the smooth texture of frosted glass, seamlessly blending translucency and depth. Initially used for countertops, it now extends to custom kitchens, available in shades like caramel, blue, green, and red.

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TREND 03 / 「戏剧性的大理石」

Dramatic Marble

Kitchen Trends

Marble countertops in kitchens are becoming increasingly eye-catching—and we’re here for it.

Take Modulnova Kitchen’s “Blade Lab,” designed by Carlo Presotto and Andrea Bassanello: This kitchen is the Italian company’s result of meticulous research into new materials and technologies, with countertops, cabinets, and backsplashes all crafted from thick slabs of Sahara Brown marble. Additionally, its 1.5cm-thick doors feature a hollowed-out design for lightweight ease of opening, paired with bronze-powder-coated glass and aluminum cabinets, while full-height bookcases act as a transitional element connecting to the living area.

TREND 04 / 「温暖木质」

Luminous Warmth

Kitchen Trends

Warm-toned natural wood excels at creating a cozy, relaxed, and inviting atmosphere. It transforms the kitchen from a mere “workspace” into a central family hub where people want to linger and connect.

Valcucine’s Forma Mentis collection expands with a new capsule collection that explores全新 taste territories. Archigraphica, designed by Gabriele Centazzo, is a fresh aesthetic and functional proposal aimed at reviving the warmth of wood in Valcucine’s most traditional kitchens.

Archigraphica stands out for its signature graphic lines, which outline the front frames while evoking architectural perspectives. It opens up a new design vision, offering freedom to create dynamic intersections and graphic play. Archigraphica includes walnut doors that can be paired with all Forma Mentis countertop finishes, as well as monochromatic options in white or anthracite gray to create single-material volumes that enhance the graphic interplay of wood lines.

TREND 05 / 「个性材质」

Unexpected Materiality

Kitchen Trends

We’re witnessing a growing desire for material innovation in kitchens, with some brands leading the way in experimenting with and innovating materials in functional spaces.

Henrytimi has been at the forefront of this movement, describing its collections as “practical works of art” and prioritizing natural materials like wood and stone to craft kitchens with geometric purity and minimalist beauty. The “Arca” series, made from black clay and Nero Fossil, features textured, curved cabinet doors that conceal a range of practical drawers, while the raised backsplash not only hides clutter but also doubles as a bar counter.