Out: Stark white kitchens | In: Soft, warm kitchens 

Homebuyers are moving away from the all white kitchen looks that have been popular over the last decade. And while some might argue the white kitchen is a look that never goes out of style, new trends in cabinet colors have officially entered the home design landscape. 

“Already we are seeing homebuyers choose cream or off-white over the bright whites of the past decade, and for our bolder homeowners, green is a trending choice,” Alexa said. 

Stained cabinets are also on the rise. Some homebuyers choose to do an entire kitchen in warm, stained wood. Others use stained accents on kitchen islands or range hoods. Light stains are the top choice, but Alexa predicts mid-tone stains will enter the conversation as the year goes on.

Green is still supreme, but blue is the new hue

Last year, we saw the ever-popular green paired with deep wine reds and now, as we continue our journey along the color wheel, we will see dusty-blues emerge. 

“These blues pair great with the green and reds we’ve been seeing! Still a green fan? Don’t fear, green is still supreme! Incorporating shades of green with a slight blue undertone is a good way to give green a fresh feel,” Alexa said. 

Expect vintage-inspired details: Checkerboard patterns, bronze gold and wallpaper 

We first reported this trend last year, and it continues to grow in popularity. Alexa expects to see this vintage trend expressed in all facets of products. 

Popular examples include tile designs like checkerboard patterns and penny tile, wood tones incorporated throughout the home, wainscoting trim details and personal nostalgic touches in wallpaper. 

That’s right—wallpaper is making a comeback. What used to be something homeowners have avoided is now in vogue. Modern-day wallpaper options are more durable, easily removable and more user-friendly. Trending moody botanical scenes and murals are easier to achieve with wallpaper, especially on accent walls. 

Plumbing and lighting will even be vintage inspired. New gold finishes are emerging that are softer—more reminiscent of vintage brass, like Moen’s new bronze gold finish. Also popular is a resurgence of polished nickel, often featuring traditional details like rivets and cross-handles. For lighting, art-deco and mid-century styles are being revisited.

Light-toned flooring is in style 

Light-toned wood and wood-look flooring will remain popular in 2026, but we may also see mid-tones begin to rise in popularity later this year. As far as material goes, while real hardwood remains highly desirable for its character, Mohawk RevWood laminate plank flooring remains our number one choice for durability and its ability to capture the look and feel of real wood. 

Hot for the kitchen: Thin-rail shaker cabinets and granite 

While this style of cabinet isn’t new, it’s experiencing a bit of a resurgence! The clean lines offer the perfect complement to contemporary style but can also play the perfect juxtaposition to traditional detailing. 

Quartz has been hailed as the go-to for countertops this past decade for the clarity and veining reminiscent of the whitest of marble tops at half the cost, but now interior designers and home buyers have a renewed interest in granite. 

“Its warm characteristics and deeper color variation, paired with interesting patterns, give each kitchen a unique personality. Luckily, if you still want the low-maintenance and durability of quartz, brands like Silestone and MSI have been premiering new colors and designs that mimic exotic granite,” Alexa said. 

Start designing your dream kitchen today!

From Instagram inspiration and Pinterest pins to your final floor plan, Drees makes it easy to bring it all together. We know your home is more than a dwelling; it’s an expression of who you are and what you value. Designing a custom home is a very personal endeavor, and we want to be here to help you every step of the way. To learn more about building your dream home, click here.