2026 KITCHEN CABINET TRENDS
The kitchen cabinet trends defining 2026 are those of personalised luxury, rich materiality, and warm finishes, marking a considerable departure from the stark uniformity of the past decade. Most notably, for the first time in nine years of industry surveying, classic white cabinets are no longer the number one preferred finish, having dropped to third place. To find out what’s taken its place, as well as numerous other 2026 kitchen cabinet trends, from finishes, colour palettes, detailing and pairings, read on below and you’ll be set to design your dream kitchen without any worries of it looking dated any time soon.
A RENAISSANCE IN COLOUR AND FINISH
The new favourite finish dominating the kitchen is light stains, which have proudly claimed the number one position for cabinetry. These stains typically allow the visible grain to show through, embracing the natural wood character. This preference for light stains is swiftly followed by off-white, suggesting that homeowners still crave bright, airy designs, though not the sterile, cold whites of previous eras. Looking ahead, expert predictions suggest that the preference for light staining could last for just one more year, with mid-tone stains expected to become the preferred finish by 2027.
It's also important to factor in that when both the cabinetry and the floors use a light stain, your space could start feeling flat and one-dimensional, meaning you ideally should choose one or the other toward mid-tones and the other a contrasting colour that helps create depth.
Homeowners are also growing more confident with their colour choices, with a growing preference for multi-finish schemes, with a 15% increase in the application of colour across the perimeter of the kitchen, moving beyond the historical confinement of bold colours to just the island. The overwhelming majority of contemporary kitchens now feature at least two distinct finishes, and it is increasingly common to see schemes that incorporate three, four, or even five finishes throughout the space. While white and off-white remain are still featured, they are now relegated to secondary or tertiary roles within these layered designs.
WARMER PALETTES REPLACE STARK WHITES
The colour palettes for 2026 are highly expressive and nuanced:
Warm neutrals are replacing stark whites and cool shades of grey, giving way to richer neutrals, such as taupes, mushrooms and stony greiges, as well as more earthy tones like clay, moss and terracotta. These neutrals add a sense of calm and pair beautifully with solid wood and natural stone, allowing the craftsmanship of the design to shine through.
Bold monochromatic palettes are pushing beyond simple black and white to embrace saturated, vivid single-colour palettes once deemed too intense. This boldness is balanced by using varying textures, such as matte or glossy finishes, and subtle tonal variations, adding depth and preventing the space from feeling flat.
Deep Darks such as Tarragon and Plum Brown, part of the restorative darks palette that is growing in popularity, are highly recommended for lower cabinets, where they create a rich but neutral foundation, pairing beautifully with pale or heavily veined countertops such as
Beautiful pastels re-emerge in sophisticated, muted tones like faded lavender, gauzy blues, and palest celery, delivering subtle personality and soft warmth to any space.
NATURAL MATERIALS AND BESPOKE CRAFTSMANSHIP
The preferred solid wood in terms of popularity for homeowners remains white oak, despite its premium cost and slow-growing nature. However, many are actively seeking sustainable alternatives like red oak, creating workarounds by applying light stains to achieve the same sought-after grain characteristics. In the luxury sphere, there is a continued preference for heritage craftsmanship, with traditional design and bespoke hand-finished detailing and ornamentation adding layers of depth and rich authenticity.
WOOD FINISHES GROWING APPEAL
There seems to be growing interest in exposed wood finishes for kitchens, with natural walnut appearing to be the most popular choice, with its rich warmth pairing beautifully with neutrals. Rather than the heavily stained, darker treatments that were previously the popular choice, homeowners are gravitating toward lighter finishes that allow the wood's natural grain to show through.
This trend reflects the growing desire for homeowners to feel more connected to the spaces they live in, doing so through featuring warm, solid woods, chosen for their natural grain, rich authenticity and inherent warmth. Many are also seeking out bespoke craftsmanship expertise to add hand-finished ornamentation and detailing to their cabinetry, adding a heritage quality to the entire space.
These warm woods, whether it's American walnut or hand-treated fumed oak, when paired with neutral tones or complementary stone surfaces, can create a look that feels layered in character and timelessly elegant.
RETHINKING STORAGE AND DISPLAY
Open shelving and glass-fronted storage continue to be favoured by homeowners who want to showcase and celebrate their belongings, giving their space a truly personal touch. This could include displaying items like ceramics, cookbooks, and glassware, creating small vignettes that reflect you, your individual taste, and your unique lifestyle.
The trend aligns with the previously mentioned growing desire to create kitchen spaces that feel personal to you, wanting it to reflect your life story, moving to create a space beyond pure functionality. For this approach to work well, it helps to consider display needs during the planning stages rather than as an afterthought.
A DESIRE FOR DEPTH
Another trend that's shaping up to continue growing in 2026 is homeowners beginning to move away from uniform walls of tall cabinetry in favour of more varied compositions. This might involve mixing different materials, colour palettes, or finishes, perhaps combining reeded glass door fronts on upper cabinets with solid wood doors below, or alternating between painted and natural wood surfaces, or even going for a two-tone approach, with different colour palettes for the main kitchen cabinetry vs the island cabinetry.
This approach can help break up what might otherwise feel like imposing blocks of cabinetry, helping create a sense of rhythm and reducing the predictable, sterile feel that sometimes accompanies very uniform kitchen designs.
THE APPEAL OF HOME BARS
Built-in bar areas and cocktail stations appear to be gaining popularity as homeowners look for ways to create the perfect space for entertaining in the comfort of their own home. These might take the form of sleek, hand-stained cabinets discreetly concealing anything from coffee stations, liquor collections or glassware, or one might prefer a bespoke, dedicated drinks preparation area, which may feature a seating area fit with bar stools for the ultimate home bar experience.
Whether tucked away as hidden features or becoming the centrepiece of your home, these additions to the home add a sense of occasion to everyday spaces.
BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION
Explore how these cabinetry trends might enhance your kitchen and whole-home interiors through HAUHAU’s bespoke handcrafted designs, built by our team of artisan master craftsmen who work from a philosophy founded on 150 years of heritage craftsmanship legacy and a dedication to handcrafted excellence. Serving homes across Essex, London, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and surrounding areas, we aim to create truly one-of-a-kind designs that reflect our bespoke design expertise, commitment to quality, and unwavering attention to detail for a result that is truly unmatched.
HAUHAU's signature lies in these finishing touches—the detailing on every design reflects our unwavering commitment to authentic, high-quality craftsmanship. Every cabinet, every surface, and every drawer receives individual attention from our master cabinet makers.
The result is a kitchen that embodies sophisticated luxury and is truly unique to your home and lifestyle. This is where heritage meets innovation, where four generations across 150 years of skilled craftsmanship create spaces that set new standards for luxury living.
THE HAUHAU DIFFERENCE
We believe the kitchen is the showpiece of the modern home and sets the stage for all other design decisions in the home. Our bespoke kitchens combine timeless design with state-of-the-art materials and finishes to create a unique space meticulously tailored to your every need and desire.
We work with some of the most exquisite materials in the world, working tirelessly to source the most consistent quality timber, luxurious marble, and solid brass hardware to deliver design schemes that exude elegance and opulence at every turn. We also work with some of the world’s leading appliance brands to deliver function alongside form, utilising cutting-edge technologies to help streamline your kitchen and enhance your enjoyment of the space every single day.
Founded by Ben Rollings, a fourth-generation master cabinet maker with over 150 years of family heritage, HAUHAU has become synonymous with timeless craftsmanship and design excellence. From the first sketch to final installation, our team ensures a seamless, collaborative process, delivering not just a kitchen but a handcrafted environment where daily routines and special moments alike are elevated.
Contact HAUHAU today to arrange your complimentary personalised consultation with one of our design experts and discover how our craftsmanship can redefine the heart of your home.