Is this kitchen already dated?
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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. It needs to be functional, aesthetic, and able to serve multiple purposes. These spaces can also be incredibly expensive to renovate, so most homeowners want to do it once—and do it right. With trend cycles moving faster than ever these days, the risk is that a kitchen may already feel dated by the time it’s finally finished. So how do you choose the right aesthetic? It’s often more about avoiding the wrong one.
Here are five kitchen trends going away in 2026, according to some of the top interior designers in the industry.
Formulaic Kitchens
A few years ago, most renovated kitchens had a very specific look with black hardware, quartz countertops, and shaker cabinets. But designer Maya Williams tells me the days of the formulaic kitchen are over. “For a few years now kitchens have followed the same playbook: white oak cabinetry, Taj Mahal stone, black hardware and plumbing, linear lines. It’s a look that worked, but it’s been done to death. At this point, it feels more like a default setting than a design choice.”
Her clients don’t want to play it safe. “What’s replacing it is a much more creative and personal approach. I’m using natural walnut and slightly darker woods, and even doing a eucalyptus wood kitchen right now; warmer metal tones like bronze, and more curves and details.”
While this aesthetic is specific to her clients, she feels from a more general standpoint that kitchens will be less formulaic and better reflect how people actually live, versus what they’re seeing on social media.
Martina Biegel at Galerie Design and Build adds, “The match-everything approach is being replaced by a more collected look. Mixing finishes for hardware, lighting, and plumbing fixtures thoughtfully adds depth and makes a space feel curated.”
So instead of going builder-grade and copying what’s trending on social media, homeowners are generally aiming for a more authentic look.
Open Kitchens
The open kitchen has been closing up for years now, and according to Emily Carlin, Interior Designer at Arterberry Cooke, this trend is finally closing for good. “Since the pandemic, we have been shifting away from open concepts and into more dedicated spaces. This is further evolving with more people opting for hidden storage and butler pantries so visual clutter is reduced and the focus is the finishes and surfaces themselves.”
Grey And White
Grey and white kitchens
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In 2026, a grey and white kitchen simply feels very 2016. While this color combination well outstayed its welcome, it’s safe to say it’s officially dated. “We are continuing to evolve from stark white and grey kitchens and continuing to adopt bolder warmer colors but where in the last few years colors were environmental – soft sages and earthy mushrooms, we are finding more confidence in warm saturated colors like terracottas, brick reds and burgundies and plummy purple browns,” says Carlin.
Instead, the designer tells me she is seeing more textural finishes and specialty details. “This includes visible wood grain, curved old world plaster range hoods, cutout details in millwork, stained glass in cabinet doors, arched niches, sweet finished backsplash details like spice ledges, arched backsplashes, and curved counter details.”
Shaker Cabinets
Shaker cabinets had their heyday about a decade ago. Yet builders and developers wouldn’t stop installing them for years. However, they are now looking old and tired, much like the modern farmhouse look as a whole. Liz Hoekzema from KLH Homes tells me, “Clients are more open to mixing materials and custom details in lieu of a standard shaker scene.”
So what will be replacing these? Glass cabinetry. “Along with perforations and applied details, we think glass is going to have a moment – think reeded, seeded, even colored glass! We’re excited to be designing our new studio space with this in mind.”
Glass cabinets are also a great compromise between closed shelving and open shelving, which can be challenging to maintain and style.
White Oak Everywhere
White oak everywhere
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White oak replaced dark wood flooring, then became the kitchen cabinet material of choice for renovators. The result was a moment where white oak was everywhere. This look has gone out of style just as fast as it came in, explains Leigh Lincoln, Pure Salt, co-founder and principal designer. “While still a popular choice and beloved for its neutral tone, white oak is seeing a paring down in its usage throughout the home. Gone are the days when you would see a kitchen with white oak floor, white oak cabinetry, and white oak furniture.”
This doesn’t mean avoiding white oak altogether, but rather limiting it to one place, like flooring or cabinets, but definitely not both. After all, even when it comes to something as beautiful as white oak, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.