It’s no surprise that the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the home. In a YouGov survey of the top 20 most popular activities, cooking took 9th place (ranking higher than such activities as reading, traveling, eating out at restaurants, and sightseeing), and baking ranked 19th (one spot higher on the list than going to the movies). Even those of us who don’t like to cook or bake tend to congregate in the kitchen to socialize with the chef and show our support by enthusiastically gobbling up their tasty concoctions.
Kitchens are also gathering places for a variety of other activities, ranging from homework to working from home.
According to the Houzz & Home Study, the kitchen is also the most popular room to renovate – with 24% of respondents in that survey stating that they were remodeling the kitchen, while 2% were planning or recently completed a kitchen addition.
And now, a new survey by Thumbtack reveals why homeowners are remodeling their kitchens, delves into the most popular kitchen projects, and highlights 5 kitchen trends to watch.
5 Kitchen Trends to Watch in 2026
Based on data culled from the survey responses, Thumbtack predicts that these trends are shaping kitchen design in 2026.
#1: The Open-Concept Layout Is No Longer A Given
There are pros and cons to an open concept kitchen layout.
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Among Thumbtack survey respondents:
44% prefer a fully open kitchen
43% prefer a semi-open layout with some separation
Many homeowners with open layouts are realizing that there are cons to consider. For example, 53% of respondents say that mess and clutter are always in full sight, and 33% lament that noise travels easily in an open kitchen.
Valente agrees that the debate continues around the open concept kitchen layout. “We always suggest that homeowners stick with the home’s intended layout and work within the existing space to get the most ROI (return on investment) with the least amount of headache,” she says.
#2: Kitchens Are Becoming Camera Ready
Quality lighting and statement backsplashes help to create a camera-ready kitchen.
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Social media is influencing home design trends, and a recent Yelp report reveals that some of these trends range from Midimalism to Grandmillenial styles.
Among Thumbtack survey respondents:
48% say they get kitchen inspiration from social media platforms
43% intentionally style or clean their kitchen for photos, videos, and video calls
“This means prioritizing features like better lighting, styled shelving, statement backsplashes, and cohesive finishes that feel polished both online and in real life,” says Kendra Sinclair, Thumbtack’s design trends expert. For potential home sellers, this is particularly important, as a recent Zillow report that found your online listing is the new curb appeal.
#3: Joydrenching Is Driving Kitchen Design Choices
Bold backsplashes are one of the bold elements that can make a kitchen feel unique.
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Joydrenching is the practice of designing and decorating based on what makes you happy, comfortable, and reflects your personality.
Among Thumbtack survey respondents:
49% are choosing decorative tile or bold backsplashes
37% are installing statement lighting
28% are mixing materials like metal, wood, and stone
24% are incorporating wallpaper or patterned walls
“Instead of playing it safe, homeowners are layering in bold, mood-boosting elements that turn the kitchen into a space that feels vibrant, lived-in, and uniquely theirs,” explains Sinclair. This tracks with the 2026 kitchen tile trends, which include retro rhapsody (70’s revival with a modern edge), organic depth and texture, and eclectic artistry.
#4: Smart Kitchens Are On The Rise
Smart appliances can make your life easier.
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A smart kitchen can make your life much easier and help you function seamlessly. “From connected appliances to automated lighting and voice-enabled tools, today’s smart kitchen features are less about novelty and more about convenience, efficiency, and reducing friction in daily routines,” Sinclair says.
Among Thumbtack survey respondents:
42% have or plan to add smart appliances (oven, dishwasher)
37% have or plan to add automated systems (temperature control, timer, routines)
25% use or plan to use voice or app-controlled features (lighting, music, temperature)
In addition to smart ovens and dishwashers, other connected kitchen appliances include smart refrigerators, countertop ovens, coffee makers, air fryers, and even ice makers.
#5: Nature-Inspired Design Is Taking Root In The Kitchen
Natural wood finishes and unobstructed views can bring the outdoors inside.
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Thumbtack’s final kitchen trend: bringing the outside indoors. “Homeowners are creating spaces that feel calmer and more grounded — it’s part aesthetic, part wellness, and it reflects a broader desire to make the home feel like a place to recharge,” Sinclair says.
Among Thumbtack survey respondents:
48% have added indoor plants or herb gardens
44% have incorporated stone surfaces
40% have utilized natural wood finishes
The responses track with 2026 vacation-inspired home design and décor trends — like the desire to create a tropical Balinese sanctuary.
These are some of the items that can help you incorporate Thumbtack’s kitchen trends.
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Keurig and Waterdrop
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker is loaded with smart features. For starters, you can actually start brewing remotely. Also, BrewID recognizes your K-Cup pod and then customizes the brew. BaristaMode provides step-by-step instructions for making cappuccinos, lattes, and customized coffee drinks. The coffee maker has 5 brew sizes, 5 strength settings and 6 temperature settings – and it can also brew over ice.
A smart countertop water filtration system makes it easy to purify your drinking water. The Waterdrop C1H Countertop Reverse Osmosis System removes lead, chloride, TDS, PFOA, PFOS, and more. The 6-step filtration system doesn’t require installation, and you can even get hot water for tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and more in seconds. The water tank holds 110 ounces, and the smart touch screen displays the water temperature, volume, favorite mode, and monitors the filter’s life. It also comes with a food-grade glass bottle.
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Kohler and LUSA
You don’t want to touch anything with dirty hands, and with the Kohler Tone Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen Sink Faucet, you don’t have to. Simply wave your hand (or an object) in front of the sensor to turn it on or off. The faucet has a three-function pull-down spray head, letting you switch between aerated stream, sweep spray (wide power blade of water), and boost technology (increases the flow rate by 30%). In addition to the matte black with brushed modern brass finish, there are several other colors/finishes to choose from.
Lighting is not only functional, but can also add ambience in your kitchen. The LUSA GlowStream LED Flex is a flexible LED light that can be used as under cabinet lighting, as well as above cabinetry, toe kick, perimeter, and cove lighting. Enclosed in silicone, it provides an even glow, with no hotspots or harsh shadows. The color temperature is 3000K, dimmable to 2200K. The GlowSteam LED Flex is also smart home compatible.
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Amazon Echo and Enabot
The kitchen is the home’s hub, and the Amazon Echo Show 21 is the kitchen hub that keeps your home organized. The generous, 21-inch monitor makes it easy to view your shopping list, recipes, local weather, calendar, and more. Alexa+ provides even more functionality, allowing hands-free voice commands to turn on lights, check live camera feeds, play music, and more.
If you don’t want to bring your smartphone into the kitchen, you can issue voice commands to the Enabot EBO Max Family Bot (which looks like something from The Jetsons), including grocery list items, and you can also use it to remind you (or other family members) when it’s time to wake up, feed the pet, or take medicine. The AI family bot is also a personal advisor that you can ask about recipes and more. It has a camera, and moves around the house providing security and activity alerts. And when you’re cooking, it serves as a companion for kids and pets.
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Yeedi and Typhur
Keep your kitchen floors clean without lifting a finger. The pre-dissolving stain technology in the Yeedi S20 Infinity Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop removes tough grease and stains in one pass. The robot vacuum has 22000Pa suction, anti-tangle brushes, and smart obstacle avoidance. The high-pressure mop is automatically refilled with water at the docking station, and cleans itself with hot water. The robot vacuum provides intelligent temperature-controlled hot water for the self-cleaning wash cycles (131 degrees F after cleaning kitchens, 104 degrees F after cleaning bedrooms, and 167 degrees F after cleaning bathrooms). Then the vacuum dries itself with 145-degree F hot air.
Never burn another meal with the Typhur Sync Gold Wireless WiFi Meat Thermometer. It includes 2 slim probes (although you only need to use one at a time), and each probe has 6 sensors. You can use the probes with the standalone smart base (which provides real-time readings, and lets you set target temperatures and make adjustments), or with the Typhur app on your smartphone. Typhur uses Sub1-G technology, which provides up to 3,000 feet of unobstructed WiFi, and the probes can withstand heat up to 932 degrees F.
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Chefman and Westbend
The Chefman Obliterator 48 oz Countertop Blender uses auto blend intelligence to detect ingredients and then adjust settings. The blender has a 1380W motor, 20K RPMs, and 6 blending speeds, and is strong enough to turn ice into snow, and blend frozen fruit into smoothies. The BPA-free 48 oz Tritan jar resists stains, heat, and shattering – and the lid cover also serves as a measuring cup. There’s also a 20 oz travel jar with its own blade assembly.
It’s time to automate your breadmaking process. The programmable WestBend Hi-Rise Bread Maker Machine has 12 presets: basic, French, whole wheat, sweet, super rapid, sandwich, gluten free, mix, dough, cake, custom, and bake. The horizontal bread pan can make 2-pound, 2.5-pound, and 3-pound loaf sizes. In addition to the non-stick bread pan, other accessories include 2 knead blades, a measuring cup/spoon, and a knead blade removal tool.
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SMEG and Caraway
Engage in some joydrenching with the Smeg Forte Stand Mixer – Retro Style, which looks like a work of art. The 750-watt motor provides consistent power for even the most demanding mixing. There are 10 variable speeds to smoothly handle everything from light batters to heavy doughs. The anti-slip base provides stability, and the safety lock feature stops the mixer when the mixing head is lifted. In addition to the 5-quart stainless steel bowl, there’s a dough hook, flat beater, flex edge beater, wire whisk, and pouring shield. Retro color choices include pastel blue, pastel green, cream, and black.
Add some color in your kitchen with the Caraway 12-Piece Ceramic Cookware Set with Storage Organizers. The many gorgeous colors include perracotta, marigold, navy, sage, black, and more. The naturally nonstick set is free from lead, PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, and cadmium, and it’s also electric, gas, and induction-safe and oven safe to 550 degrees F. The set includes the following: 10.5” fry pan, 3 qt-pan with lid, 4.5-qt sauté pan with lid, 6.5-qt Dutch oven with lid – along with a 4-piece storage organizer and canvas lid holder.