What’s In for 2026 Kitchen Design: Timeless, Warm, and Intentionally Livable
Kitchen design in 2026 is moving in a refreshing direction. Instead of chasing trends that feel dated in a few years, homeowners are choosing kitchens that feel warm, layered, and deeply livable—spaces that look beautiful and work hard for everyday life.
At Everstead Design Build, we’re already seeing these trends take hold in real homes across Greater St. Louis. Here’s what’s in for 2026 kitchen design—and why these choices are here to stay.
Cabinet Colors: Warm Neutrals Take the Lead
Bright white kitchens aren’t disappearing, but 2026 is all about soft warmth and depth.
Some of the most-requested cabinet colors we’re seeing come from Sherwin-Williams, including:
Accessible Beige – a warm neutral that works beautifully in Midwest light
Natural Linen – soft, calm, and timeless
Alabaster – still a favorite, but now paired with warmer stones and metals
Evergreen Fog – perfect for islands or lower cabinets
Urbane Bronze – a rich, grounding color for statement cabinetry
The key trend for 2026?
Cabinets that feel collected and intentional—not stark or trendy.
Stone Backsplashes: Full-Slab & Organic Movement
Tile backsplashes aren’t going away—but stone is stealing the spotlight.
For 2026, we’re seeing:
Full-height stone backsplashes
Quartz or quartzite carried from the countertop up the wall
Softer veining with organic movement
Minimal grout lines for a cleaner, more elevated look
Stone backsplashes feel timeless, upscale, and visually calming—especially when paired with warm cabinet colors.
Quartz Spotlight: Trevi Bianca (And Why We Love It)
One of our favorite quartz selections right now is Trevi Bianca.
Why it’s perfect for 2026 kitchens:
Soft, natural-looking veining
Warm undertones that pair beautifully with beige, cream, and greige cabinetry
Durable, low-maintenance, and family-friendly
Elegant without feeling cold or clinical
Other Quartz Options We’re Recommending for 2026:
Calacatta Laza–style quartz for subtle drama
Soft marble-look quartz with warmer veining
Low-contrast quartz for a more organic, relaxed feel
The trend is moving away from high-contrast, bold veining and toward quiet luxury.
Mixed Metals (But Done Thoughtfully)
In 2026, kitchens are embracing mixed metals—but in a more restrained way.
Popular combinations include:
Brushed brass hardware + matte black lighting
Champagne bronze faucets + soft stainless appliances
Warm metals paired with neutral cabinetry
The goal isn’t contrast for contrast’s sake—it’s balance and cohesion.
Concealed Function & Smarter Storage
Luxury in 2026 isn’t about showing everything—it’s about hiding clutter beautifully.
Trending features include:
Appliance garages
Hidden pantries
Integrated trash and recycling
Deep drawer storage instead of upper cabinets
Pull-out organizers designed for how families actually cook
Design is shifting toward kitchens that feel calm, even when life is busy.
Lighting That Feels Like a Layer, Not an Afterthought
Lighting in 2026 is softer, warmer, and more intentional.
We’re seeing:
Under-cabinet lighting as a standard (not an upgrade)
Warm-toned bulbs instead of harsh white light
Decorative pendants that feel sculptural
Small lamps on counters for ambient glow
Lighting is no longer just functional—it sets the mood.
The Big Picture: Kitchens That Feel Like Home
The biggest kitchen design trend for 2026 isn’t a color or material—it’s intention.
Homeowners want kitchens that:
Feel warm, not sterile
Are easy to live in, not precious
Reflect their lifestyle, not a showroom
At Everstead, we design kitchens to last—not just visually, but functionally and emotionally.
The Bottom Line
2026 kitchen design is about warmth, restraint, and thoughtful choices. From Sherwin-Williams cabinet colors to stone backsplashes and quartz like Trevi Bianca, the trend is clear: timeless over trendy, livable over loud.
If you’re thinking about remodeling in 2026, now is the perfect time to start planning a kitchen that feels just as good five years from now as it does on day one.
👉 Ready to design a kitchen that stands the test of time?
Schedule a consultation with Everstead Design Build.