Kitchen Trends 2026: What We’re Seeing in Bespoke Kitchens

Updated October 2026

The biggest kitchen trends for 2026 are about rooms that work harder and feel calmer: back kitchens and larders that keep the mess out of sight, warm earthy colours instead of grey, painted cabinetry mixed with natural oak, and more texture through reeded glass, panelling and honed stone. Below is what each trend looks like in a real home, and how to choose the ones that will still feel right in ten years.

1. Back kitchens and sculleries

The “dirty kitchen” idea from 2025 has settled into something more practical: a scullery, utility or back kitchen beside the main room where washing up, laundry, muddy boots and small appliances live. It keeps an open-plan kitchen calm when friends are round. Our Cavendish Holt barn conversion added a boot room next to the kitchen for exactly this reason, with a deep Butler sink for dogs, boots and flowers.

2. Larders instead of wall cupboards

Tall larders and pantry cupboards are replacing rows of wall units. A full-height larder holds more, keeps food in one place and lets the walls breathe, which suits period homes in particular. See our guide to larder cupboards for layouts and interior fittings.

3. Warm, earthy colours

Grey is giving way to warmer colours: sage and olive greens, mushroom and stone, soft terracotta, warm whites and deep inky blues. Some people are taking one colour across cabinetry, walls and even the ceiling for a cocooning, “colour-drenched” look. Because our cabinetry is hand-painted in any Farrow & Ball or Little Greene colour, a trend colour can be repainted later rather than replaced. More ideas in our kitchen colours guide.

4. Painted cabinetry with natural oak

Two-tone kitchens are moving away from black-and-white contrasts towards painted runs paired with natural wood: an oak island, oak open shelves or oak-lined drawers. Natural timber adds warmth and ages well. Our solid wood kitchens are available painted or with lacquered oak fronts, so the two can be mixed in one design.

5. Texture: reeded glass, panelling and honed stone

Flat, glossy surfaces are being replaced by texture you can feel: reeded or fluted glass in wall cabinet doors, panelled island ends, tongue-and-groove, and honed or leathered stone worktops with soft, rounded edges. Texture makes a simple Shaker or in-frame kitchen feel richer without adding colour.

6. Freestanding and unfitted pieces

Unfitted kitchens, where dressers, larders and islands look like individual pieces of furniture, continue to grow, especially in older houses with uneven walls. They also suit people who may move, because pieces can go with them. Read more about freestanding and unfitted kitchens.

7. Cabinetry up to the ceiling

In rooms with height, cabinets taken up to the ceiling (with a cornice to finish) give more storage and a grander look than units that stop short. It works especially well in Victorian and Edwardian homes and barn conversions. See our tips for high ceiling kitchens.

8. Banquettes and the kitchen as a living room

Built-in banquette seating, window seats and a comfortable chair by the range are turning kitchens into the room people actually live in. A banquette also saves space compared with a table and chairs. The family at Cavendish Holt told us their banquette quickly became the favourite spot for breakfast.

9. In-frame and refined Shaker doors

Classic door styles are not going anywhere, but proportions are getting finer: slimmer Shaker frames, beaded in-frame cabinetry and simple flat panels. If you are unsure of the difference, our guide to in-frame kitchens explains it in plain terms.

10. Built to last

The quieter trend underneath all of these is buying once. Solid wood cabinetry that can be repaired and repainted lasts far longer than a kitchen that has to be ripped out when the colour dates. Every painted kitchen we make comes with a pot of matching paint for touch-ups.

What’s fading in 2026

• High-gloss handleless grey kitchens
• All-white kitchens with no warmth or texture
• Long runs of identical wall cupboards
• Open shelving everywhere (one or two shelves look better than a whole wall)

Frequently asked questions

What are the kitchen trends for 2026?

The main kitchen trends for 2026 are back kitchens and sculleries, larders instead of wall cupboards, warm earthy colours, painted cabinetry mixed with natural oak, more texture (reeded glass, panelling, honed stone), unfitted pieces, cabinetry up to the ceiling and built-in banquette seating.

Is grey still in fashion for kitchens?

Grey is fading in favour of warmer colours such as sage and olive green, mushroom, stone, warm whites and deep blues. Soft warm greys still work in period homes, but cool flat greys are dating quickly.

Are Shaker kitchens still in style?

Yes. Shaker remains one of the most popular kitchen styles because it suits both period and modern homes. The 2026 version tends to have slimmer frames, warmer paint colours and natural wood details.

What is a back kitchen?

A back kitchen (or scullery) is a smaller room next to the main kitchen for washing up, laundry, small appliances and messy jobs, so the main kitchen stays tidy when it is used for living and entertaining.

How do I choose a kitchen trend that won’t date?

Choose trends that are practical as well as stylish, such as larders, good storage and solid materials, and keep bolder choices to things that can change, like paint colour. Hand-painted solid wood cabinetry can be repainted later rather than replaced.