Kitchen Design Trends We’re Loving for 2026
Every few years, the kitchen world hits the reset button, and 2026 is one of those moments. You’ve probably noticed that the look that’s flooding social feeds today isn’t the “Farmhouse” phase we’ve been seeing for the past decade. Design is shifting toward something warmer, richer, and I personally welcome the change.
At the beach, the heavy rustic look has given way to a softer, more sophisticated coastal charm. We’re now seeing a strong shift toward heritage-inspired interiors, what I like to call a “Ralph Lauren” or “Town and Country” feel. Think of layered spaces that mix antiques with new furnishings: an old with a new aesthetic.
Let’s dive in and show you what we’re loving.
Layouts with Purpose
Open floor plans aren’t disappearing, but they’re evolving. We’re designing open kitchens with back kitchens and butler’s pantries that provide storage and privacy without disrupting the flow.
This lets families enjoy openness where it counts, in the main kitchen, while keeping the work zones hidden away.
Arches that lead to these butler’s pantries continue to be popular.
These architectural curves over stovetops add character and sophistication, like this one currently under construction.
Cabinetry and Color
At the beach, our homeowners still love light and bright kitchens. That’s one thing that will never change, but we’re also embracing more warmth like this walnut cabinetry from an oceanfront home currently under construction.
Among our most high-end kitchen designs, featuring custom Premier cabinetry in Japanese Ash, quartered, and finished in blond and gray tones that are complemented by polished quartz countertops. Polished quartz gives the countertops that extra shine.
Painted cabinets with the wood grain showing through is coming back like this one from our cabinet partner QCCI, giving cabinetry a little age and soul.
When it comes to wood grain, we’re seeing a shift from sleek rift-cut oak to plain-sliced varieties with more visible cathedrals. Cathedrals are those peaks you see in the wood grain, like this sample of white oak with cathedrals.
Tile
In tile, natural and handmade are still king. The handmade Zellige backsplash in our Relaxation Delivered kitchen has a beautifully tactile feel, with subtle color variation and surface texture that gives the whole space more character.
With a mosaic border, you can see this one leans a little more traditional.
Limestone is hot! Like this one surrounding our pizza oven from our Pura Vida build. We love limestone in our kitchens because it brings a soft, natural warmth you just can’t fake.
It wears in, not out, and the movement in the stone gives our beach homes that relaxed, lived-in feel our homeowners are always asking for.
Materials like tumbled limestone and hand-formed ceramics are really hot right now. They have more of those worn edges and a tactile feel that can keep kitchens feel grounded even in a bright coastal home.
Fixtures and Finishes
Fixture finishes expected to dominate in 2026? Polish nickel; it’s fresh and crisp, but has a warmth that chrome doesn’t have.
At the end of the day, trends come and go, but a kitchen you actually love living in never goes out of style. That’s what it’s all about: designing spaces that feel easy, comfortable, and just really good to be in.
