As homeowners begin planning renovations for 2026, kitchen and interior design is entering a period of refinement rather than reinvention. Designers are not chasing dramatic new looks. Instead, decisions are being shaped by how people actually use their homes and how well spaces perform over time.
The direction going into the new year prioritizes comfort, longevity, and thoughtful planning. Kitchens are expected to feel welcoming, materials are selected to age well, and design choices are evaluated based on how they will function years from now rather than how they photograph on day one.
Below is an overview of what is shaping interior design and kitchen trends in 2026 and how these shifts should inform renovation decisions.
1) Kitchens Are Becoming Softer and More Livable
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One of the strongest themes emerging across design coverage is fatigue with kitchens that feel overly sharp, minimal, or showroom-like. Kitchens are no longer treated as isolated workspaces. They are central living areas used throughout the day, often overlapping with dining, entertaining, and family life.
The Spruce describes this direction as the “cashmere kitchen,” which emphasizes softness, warmth, and comfort, just like cashmere, rather than visual precision.
For homeowners, this means:
- Colour palettes are moving toward warmer whites, soft greiges, muted taupes, and gentle earth tones rather than bright whites or high contrast combinations
- Visual softness is being achieved through tonal layering instead of sharp colour breaks
- Finishes are selected to reduce glare and harsh reflections, especially in cabinetry and surfaces that receive constant light
- Layouts are planned to support gathering and circulation, not just symmetry or clean sightlines
- Materials and colour are considered together so the space feels cohesive rather than styled in layers
2) Colour Direction Is Becoming More Deliberate
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Colour announcements for 2026 provide useful insight into how interior palettes are being positioned by major colour authorities. Rather than promoting bold or expressive hues, the focus is on colours described as grounding, adaptable, and easy to live with over time.
Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year 2026
Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year for 2026 is Silhouette AF 655, a deep brown with charcoal undertones. This is a grounding neutral designed to add warmth and depth without overpowering a space.
Benjamin Moore positions Silhouette as part of a continued interest in nuanced neutrals rather than stark or high-contrast colours. In a kitchen or interior setting, this type of colour is typically suited to areas where visual grounding is desired, such as cabinetry, islands, or millwork.
Pantone Colour of the Year 2026
Pantone has named PANTONE 11 4201 Cloud Dancer as its Colour of the Year for 2026. Cloud Dancer is a soft off white that avoids the starkness of bright white while remaining clean and adaptable.
Pantone frames Cloud Dancer as a colour that supports calm interiors and works as a backdrop rather than a focal point. Its softness allows it to pair easily with wood, stone, and metal finishes across a range of spaces.
Together, these colour announcements point toward palettes that prioritize warmth, restraint, and long-term adaptability rather than contrast or visual intensity.
3) How These Colours Are Being Used
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Veranda’s overview of kitchen paint colour direction for 2026 shows how colours are being applied in real homes rather than treated as standalone statements.
Rather than acting as focal points, paint colours are being used to support cabinetry, surfaces, and architectural details. For renovation planning, this reinforces a critical principle. Colour decisions are most successful when they complete a design rather than lead it.
This typically includes:
- Warm whites replacing cool or blue-based whites
- Grounded greens (olive, moss, herbaceous greens, smoky greens) used for depth and calm rather than “trend” impact
- Muted, smoky blue-greys and inky blues used to add mood without feeling harsh or overly bold
- Earthy neutrals stepping in where cool greys used to dominate, including clay and terracotta tones
- Browns gaining ground as warm, lived-in neutrals (from deeper wood-toned browns through richer, wine-leaning shades like mahogany and burgundy)
- Softer “happy” accents used selectively and tied together by undertones (mint, lavender, coral, yellow)
- Charcoal used as contrast in a way that still feels warm and balanced
- Stone-inspired neutrals and grounded beiges used as quiet backdrops that let materials do the talking
- Careful attention to undertones so paint, cabinetry, wood, and stone read as one cohesive palette
4) Surfaces and Backsplashes
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According to Homes & Gardens, kitchens going into 2026 are favouring slab backsplashes and full-height applications that extend countertop materials vertically.
This approach results in:
- Fewer grout lines and seams
- Reduced visual noise behind work surfaces
- Stone and surface materials becoming architectural elements
- Patterned tile being used more selectively
5) Lighting Planned as a Core Design Element
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Lighting is no longer treated as a finishing touch. It is being planned alongside cabinetry, layout decisions, and how a kitchen feels throughout the day.
Southern Living highlights increased focus on layered lighting, warm light temperatures, and fixtures chosen for balance rather than trend appeal.
In kitchens, this typically includes:
- Layered task, ambient, and accent lighting
- Warm light temperatures for comfort
- Fixtures sized appropriately for ceiling height and cabinetry
- Reduced reliance on a single overhead light source
6) Design Approaches Being Left Behind
Just as important as what is emerging is what designers are becoming more selective about. The takeaway is not that these choices are wrong, but that they are being used more intentionally and in balance with other materials and colours.
Forbes outlines several interior design approaches designers expect to see less of heading into 2026, including:
- White oak used uniformly throughout a home
- Overly coordinated interiors with matching furniture
- Accent walls that feel disconnected from the overall design
- All-white kitchens that lack depth and warmth
What This Means for Homeowners Planning a 2026 Renovation
Taken together, these shifts point to a more deliberate approach to renovation planning.
For homeowners, this means:
- Designing kitchens around daily routines rather than idealized layouts
- Selecting materials based on wear, maintenance, and longevity
- Using colour to support the overall design rather than dominate it
- Integrating lighting early in the planning process
- Evaluating choices based on how they will feel years down the line
Planning a Kitchen Renovation for 2026?
At Classic Kitchens & Design, we help homeowners translate design direction into practical, lasting decisions. From cabinetry and colour planning to surfaces, lighting, and layout, our kitchen designers focus on how your kitchen will function, age, and feel over time. Visit our Nanaimo or Parksville showrooms to start planning a kitchen designed for you.
