The 3 Kitchen Trends You’re About To See Everywhere
I recently came back from the 2026 KBIS exhibition; a kitchen and bath show from and for industry leaders. Here are the top three trends that you’re about see on repeat:
Architectural Metals
This trend was pretty ubiquitous at the KBIS show this year. Almost every vendor from cabinetry to appliances had some form of mixed metals, metal inlay, or metal detailing. I don’t love mixing metals all the time, but if I do, I mix in the kitchen. Because most appliances are stainless steel, pretty much any other material you use in the kitchen will be a different color. But beyond that, this was a more intentional use of metals, creating an accent or drawing attention to a design detail.
I particularly loved the use of metal on cabinetry to add layers and character. In some showrooms, metal was used in place of additional millwork to make box moulding, or in place of inset panels. In other showrooms, additional hardware was added like strapping to cabinets and hood vent covers. A stunning use of metal was brass wrapped paneling on a hood vent, accented with marble and wood detailing. Truly a work of art.
I love this trend because it is pretty versatile and can be used for many different applications. Some iterations lean more industrial, or contemporary, while others can be more classic traditional or even cottage. Because of its versatility, I will for sure be using this in an upcoming project!
2. Color Statements
This was a really fun trend to see because I feel like more and more homeowners would be open to using color than they would have been in the past. I saw quite a few bath fixtures like statement sinks and tubs, but for the kitchen, the color statement will be the appliances and the hood.
The past color trend for kitchen was painted cabinetry. Now that wood stained cabinetry is back in, the new color trend is for your kitchen accessories. No matter what color you want in your kitchen, you can find what you are looking for. Bold colors, pastels, neutrals; all were available, so you can create the colorful kitchen of your dreams!
3. Leather Detailing
Leather details in furniture and even cabinetry pulls have been around for a while and came into popularity around the time Updated Modern Farmhouse was trending. I have leather pulls in my powder bathroom, and I have even seen the leather accents evolve as Mountain Modern style became more popular, so I was surprised that I saw so much leather detailing at this show.
Beyond leather looped pulls, the hardware has matured into a bar handle with wrapped leather. I saw leather being used as a hand rail for stairs and used for lighting. (Check out this sconce! It didn’t photograph very well so you just have to see it on the vendor’s website.) For the kitchen specifically, I’m forecasting leather and shagreen for refrigerator doors.
What is your favorite of these three trends and which would you try in your own kitchen? If there are any fellow designers out there that also went to KBIS, was there another trend that you loved seeing?
