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Kitchen & Bath 2026 - What's New, What's Next, and What We Can't Stop Talking About
At Kitchen & Bath Day this year, our industry panelists gathered to share what's exciting them right now — from wellness-driven spaces and the return of natural stone to bold personal expression and the materials pushing design forward. The best news: clients are designing for how they actually live, not for resale, and the results are more intentional and inspiring than ever! Read on to learn what's exciting and inspiring our panelists, and how their clients are teaching them a thing or two.
What trends are you seeing in overall kitchen and bath designs?
Steve: With increased cost topping most headlines, we are starting to see a shift to reduce project square feet yet maintain the same overall budget. Clients are looking for high design, thoughtful selections and upgraded materials. Shaving 10% for the dollar per sqft formula can greatly help with many upgrades.
It's not uncommon to see coffee/drink stations designed into spaces for convenience: primary suite/bath, gaming area, pool house and so on.
Bringing the outdoors in has always been an architectural goal of successful homes. Outdoor kitchens continue the entertaining of family and friends, while enjoying all nature has to offer.
Jessica: I’m not seeing a reduction in square footage as much, at least not here in Texas. My work leans more toward remodels, so that may influence things, but what I am seeing is a strong shift toward products that make daily life more efficient and intentional. There’s a growing emphasis on non-traditional lighting, and I think that’s an area worth strengthening, things like under-cabinet lighting, toe kick lighting, and drawer box lighting are becoming essential; not just functional but experiential. And layered lighting overall, like incorporating sconces into kitchens, is becoming a defining design move.
Click photos for source
What technical innovations are you seeing in materials/appliances?
Sean:
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Printable Schluter Systems: This suggests a move toward highly customizable or aesthetically integrated transitions and profiles, allowing for seamless blending of materials.
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Cabinet Hardware Upgrades: Beyond simple aesthetics, this implies a focus on improved tactile experiences and perhaps more advanced mechanical functionality (e.g., soft-close mechanisms, integrated lighting, or hidden organizational features).
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Integrated Induction: Moving away from standalone cooktops, the trend is toward fully integrating induction heating directly into kitchen surfaces, creating a cleaner, more minimalist, and highly functional workspace.
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"Smart" Refrigerators: These units go beyond cooling, likely incorporating features like inventory management, maintenance alerts, and connectivity that align with modern, efficiency-focused home management.
Jessica: Where I am seeing real traction is in wellness-driven and efficiency-focused innovations.
Steve: Our clients have access to so much information it is incredibly difficult to keep up with the latest and greatest. They are very well informed and technology is not just at their finger tips we are seeing this trickle into kitchens and baths. Technology is not a substitute for good, thoughtful design, it just makes translating a vision into reality a bit easier.
Reverse osmosis: RO systems have been around for 25 + years, only recently is it gaining traction. It used to be incredibly aggressive and hard on pipes and plumbing fixtures; newer systems reintroduce good minerals and make it less aggressive on the appliances, pipes and plumbing fixtures. However, planning is paramount, storage tanks at point of delivery, flow rate and even length between fixtures are required for proper system operation.
There are also showers with light therapy, red light specific options in lighting fixtures and saunas.
Qoldfusion walk-in refrigerator… This is just cool!…pun intended…and even a little decadent. This company offers several walk-in refrigeration units and can provide fully customizable units for every family’s needs. Rather than line up several individual units, they take a restaurant style approach and allow a walk in refrigeration option.
Zero-waste, energy efficient …Kitchen and Bath Industry leaders are sensitive to environmental impact and have worked for years to make many of their products and processes better. For Example: Monogram and GE report many of their facilities and products employ “Zero” waste manufacturing strategies. Sub-Zero products commitment to sustainability includes localized supply chains, improved energy efficient buildings, equipment and of course their products. True Residential is on target to be 100% “Zero” waste by 2027. Miele and many others have several products and facilities also with “Zero” Waste
KBIS Photos courtesy of Bentwood Luxury Kitchens
Are there aesthetic trends you’re seeing in materials, color, shape, unique application of materials?
Sean: I'm seeing a departure from uniform, single-metal finishes, noting a clear trend toward mixed metals in both hardware and plumbing.
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Design Depth: By mixing finishes (e.g., combining polished nickel with matte black or unlacquered brass), designers can add depth, individuality, and a curated, "collected" look to a kitchen or bath space rather than using a standard, factory-matched set.
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Inspiration: This trend is often supported by high-design collections, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright collection by Brizo, which encourages a more thoughtful, architectural approach to fixtures.
Melissa: A return to natural stone, less large-format porcelain – also, earth tones, retro colors like golds, bright greens and brown reds. More requests for texture and softer shapes (arches, capsule, floral-like, etc.)
Jessica: I’m seeing a continued interest in mixed metals across hardware and plumbing, adding depth and individuality. There’s also a return to natural stone, with clients gravitating toward materials that feel more organic and full of character, while quartz isn’t as dominant as it once was. That said, I’m not seeing large format porcelain go away. It’s actually growing, especially in outdoor applications like pool decking, patios, outdoor kitchens, and even door cladding for both interiors and exteriors. Overall, the shift is less about one material replacing another and more about more intentional, design-forward use of materials.
Steve: I see materials being used in unexpected applications: Hair on Hide refrigerator panels, metal mesh fabrics being used as curtains, and leather handles, hoods, floors and countertops. I see the personalization of finishes and colors increasing with product lines. Bentwood Companies make available any Sherwin Williams Color as a standard offering.
We’ve seen a general trend in the market towards more uniqueness; designing for personality rather than just resale value. How are you experiencing this?
Melissa: Inspiration is coming from experiences, restaurants, travel, etc. Clients are looking to stay in their homes longer to hold onto great mortgage and interest rates, so when they remodel, they are designing for themselves and not to sell. They are picking tile and other materials based on what they “have always wanted to do!”
Jessica: I’m seeing people place much more value on designing for themselves rather than for resale. Clients are prioritizing spaces that reflect their lifestyle and how they actually live day to day, with a strong focus on function and personalization. It’s less about following a standard formula and more about creating spaces that feel specific, intentional, and truly their own.
Steve: Translating individual ideas, making them work tastefully and thoughtfully while supporting overall composition is the challenge. Editing is Key! Definitely see a lot of client ownership and them wanting to put their personal touch on things…they ask for our opinion so it’s our responsibility to take it all in and provide enough information so an informed decision can be made.
While we all are embracing the personality, are there things that you still guide clients away from because it won’t age well?
Melissa: I find myself telling my customers to put in what makes them happy because it is their space, and the next owner will likely tear it out or down to make it their own anyway. However, I do recommend keeping a balance, not just with tile, but with all materials in any given space. Unless it is their desire to go wacky with their design, of course!
Jessica: I intentionally guide clients away from choices that feel overly trend-driven or difficult to live with long term. While I fully support designing for personality, elements that are too niche, overly thematic, or heavily patterned in permanent applications can date a space quickly. I encourage clients to express personality through layers that can evolve, like lighting, finishes, and furnishings, while keeping foundational elements more timeless and flexible so the space can grow with them over time.
Steve: Let the architecture queues speak to you so as to avoid the Ego Kitchen or bath. If well done it will stand the test of time.
Click photos for source
Wellness is a big focus these days, tell us how you’re seeing this trend implemented.
Melissa: Calming colors and aesthetics.
Jessica: Wellness spaces vs. just gyms - steam shower, cold plunge, bottle-fill stations, spa areas.
Steve: Material selections, life cycle cost, air purification, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has templates for many levels of residential design, standards and ratings. Such a huge category of items for consideration. Wellness can be a part of every project decision.