All White Kitchens
For roughly the past decade, all white kitchens dominated the design world, but that reign is coming to an end. These kitchens became popular during the early twenties, particularly as people craved bright, sterile spaces that felt clean and pristine during the pandemic years. Now, as those days are behind us, homeowners are craving more natural, warmer elements to make their homes feel cozier. While all white kitchens will always be timeless to a point, trends are moving away from the typical bright white cabinets paired with white subway tiles and white quartz countertops because they can feel too sterile and lack personality. The shift is toward warmer, lived-in spaces that embrace color and texture. Seventy-one percent of design respondents say their clients prefer colorful kitchens that reflect personality.
Flat Black Cabinets
Dark cabinets have been trending, but flat black cabinets are finally falling out of favor, as homeowners want kitchens that feel brighter, warmer, and more inviting. Their stark, matte finish often absorbs light, making spaces feel smaller and less dynamic. Let’s be real, they also lack the personality that a kitchen should have. What designers are seeing more of is black-stained white oak with that beautiful rift-cut texture, paired with a classic shaker profile. This look gives a space more depth without looking overly trendy or dated.
Oversized Statement Pendant Lights
When asked which kitchen trend she wants left behind, designer Corinne Ekle said oversized, statement pendants that dominate the room, noting that the focus is shifting to smaller, more intentional fixtures that highlight the architecture and craftsmanship instead of stealing the show. These massive pendants had their moment over islands and sinks, but the oversized approach has started to feel overdone. Layered lighting is a much better way to create an inviting, characterful kitchen that still provides plenty of task lighting. Smaller, more considered pendant lights feel more timeless and pair beautifully with wall lights and counter lamps.
Farmhouse Style Kitchens
The modern farmhouse aesthetic has been a favorite among homeowners in recent years, but that trend is finally passing. The overuse of shiplap, barn doors, and distressed finishes has made the style feel less fresh and unique over the years, and by 2026, it’s going to feel completely outdated. Farmhouse style kitchens are declining because they lack warmth and coziness, with white and gray farmhouse style kitchens being replaced by people interested in organic and saturated colors in cabinets, backsplashes, countertops, and flooring. Here’s the thing: people are moving away from ultra trendy, monochrome design styles and opting to include pops of color in their spaces, creating a more custom look.
Exposed Stainless Steel Range Hoods
There was a time when a stainless steel hood was the go-to for a cool, industrial kitchen, but today, designers are craving texture, softness, and artistry, and stainless just doesn’t deliver because exposed stainless hoods miss the opportunity to add custom character when not thoughtfully integrated. Designers say they would never have a stainless steel hood because they’re basic and such an eyesore, suggesting opting for warmer, more beautiful materials, like plaster, tile, or wood. The good news? They don’t even have to be expensive if you’re smart about the execution, and hoods can be treated like the jewelry of the kitchen.
Marble Countertops
A kitchen done in marble countertops comes across as exquisite and has a consistently classic look, but it is extremely difficult to maintain, needs to be sealed periodically, has a porous texture that allows oils and stains to seep through, and shows all kinds of scratches and marks, especially if you have kids, which is why people in 2024 are ditching it for all its impracticality. Granite is being phased out because it is seen as dated and requires more maintenance, with quartz and composite materials trending due to their durability, low maintenance, and wide range of color options. These materials can withstand high heat, food spills, and scratch marks without being precious.
Open Shelving
Open shelves have had a long run thanks to their Instagram-friendly aesthetic, but designers are increasingly finding they’re more style than substance, with one designer saying she would never have open shelves in her kitchen because they’re dust collectors and she’s all about minimizing clutter and cleaning. The reality is that open shelving looks gorgeous when perfectly styled, but that’s rarely the day-to-day experience, as clients love the idea, but living with it is a different story because it’s hard to maintain, and suddenly cereal boxes become part of the design. Rather than eliminate display moments entirely, designers suggest adding cabinets with reeded glass or using open shelves only sparingly, particularly in kitchens with secondary storage elsewhere. It’s a practical solution that looks good without the constant upkeep.
