Kitchen Design Trends 2026
The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, but kitchen design trends 2026 are transforming this cherished space in exciting new ways
Ramin sat down with interior design specialist Elmarié from Studio 42 to talk about the latest trending ideas transforming modern kitchens through smart renovation choices and what homeowners should consider when planning their dream culinary space.
Are Open Plan Kitchens Going Out of Fashion?
More and more often, Ramin comes across clients who are after closed or semi-closed kitchens. Is that the latest trend? Are open plan kitchens going out of fashion?
According to Elmarié, open plan kitchens are not going out of style, but they are evolving. People are looking for specific work zones in the kitchen, and there are a lot of people working from home who might even create a home office in the scullery area. Sculleries are good ways to hide all the messiness and busyness and have just a beautiful kitchen island on display.
Kitchens are becoming dual family zones. Children might be sitting at the kitchen island doing their homework while Mum is busy cooking. “It’s sort of like a dining room and kitchen space at the same time as well as a workspace,” Elmarié explains.
The Importance of a Dining Room Table
Elmarié stressed the importance of having a dining room table, whether that’s sitting in your kitchen or in a separate dining room space. “In today’s busy lives, the moment of the day when the whole family can sit around the table and just take a breath and be grateful for life—that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Popular Kitchen Colors
According to Elmarié, the absolute clinical white kitchen is becoming something of the past. People are tending to go more for natural colors, muted beiges, and oatmeal tones, and then combining those with sage. Green and creamy colors are being paired together frequently, creating warm and inviting spaces.
Preferred Kitchen Cabinet Finish
When it comes to cabinet finishes, people still prefer matt finishes. Black was popular for quite some time, but this trend is becoming something of the past. Matt finish is a bit more forgiving when it comes to showing water marks and fingerprints than high gloss finishes.
What you do need to be aware of is that finishes are often sold as fingerprint-proof, but they’re not necessarily so. It depends on how you use your kitchen. If you have oily hands, you’re still going to leave marks. If you like your kitchen looking pristine, you’re better off with a textured finish.
You might like to use gloss finishes in smaller kitchens where you want to reflect light and create the illusion of a bigger space.
Oversized Islands and Statement Benchtops
What Elmarié sees a lot are oversized kitchen islands with statement benchtops—whether marble or porcelain that looks like marble. She also still sees waterfalls frequently and recommends making the splashback match the benchtops for continuity.
What Material is Popular for Kitchen Splashbacks?
Elmarié suggests that it comes down to personal preference. If you can put a piece of stone there—just one big piece of stone—that’s always beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated. If you want to have something that gives you a bit more texture, she would go for mosaic tiles or the little Kit Kat tiles.
People are also asking for zellige tiles, which are Moroccan mosaic tiles with bright colors. Using those as a splashback brings warmth and personality to the space.
Personalise with Handles
A natural-colored kitchen is easy to elevate with beautiful kitchen handles that can be easily changed in the future, allowing you to refresh your kitchen’s look without a major renovation.
Lighting is Important
Elmarié suggests focusing on having plenty of natural light but also layering your lighting. Use LED strips under the toe kick, task lights, and dimmable downlights to create the perfect ambiance for any occasion.
Integrated Appliances
For a cleaner finish, choose to integrate your appliances. Coffee machines often get hidden in cupboards, and you can easily slide them in and out as needed, maintaining clean lines and an uncluttered aesthetic.
Invest in Good Quality, Soft-Close Hardware
Elmarié often recommends to her clients to add one luxury item to the room. In kitchens, the luxury item might just be the hardware. You don’t see it, but it changes your life significantly if every door and drawer opens and closes the way it should. Good quality brands like Häfele and Hettich offer lifetime warranties on their hardware, making them a worthwhile investment.
Whether you’re planning a complete kitchen renovation or simply looking to refresh your space, these 2026 trends offer plenty of inspiration for creating a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional—a true heart of the home.
Ready To Transform Your Kitchen?
Ready to transform your kitchen? Contact Elmarié for expert interior design advice or reach out to Max Style for kitchen renovation guidance and your free quote today!
Elmarié Smart: studio42.nz