When it comes to home design, kitchens and bathrooms are often the spaces that draw the most attention and creativity. From bold color palettes to spa-like experiences, the focus is shifting toward personalization, functionality, and wellness. To get a clearer picture of what’s on the horizon, we spoke with Chelsie Butler of Kitchen & Bath Business (KBB), who shared her insights on emerging trends and what may soon fall out of favor.
2026 Kitchen and Bathroom Design Trends Key Takeaways
What's In:
Bold, Intentional Color: Jewel tones, warm oranges, and pastels are making a splash.
The Spa Bathroom: Steam elements, rainheads, and soaking tubs are becoming standard.
Enhanced Air Quality: Ventilation is now a core part of design.
Deep Personalization: Curated art and mementos are being given dedicated display spaces.
What's Out:
Colorless Kitchens: The era of sterile all-white and all-gray kitchens is fading.
Minimalist Modern: Spaces that feel overly minimal or impersonal are falling out of favor, giving way to styles that better showcase personality.
Emerging Design Trends for 2026
We asked Chelsie to look ahead and pinpoint the trends she anticipates will gain the most momentum.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, which kitchen and bath design trends do you anticipate gaining the most momentum?
Ventilation
As designers and homeowners become more educated on the importance of air quality, they will pay more attention to ventilation in the bath and kitchen and incorporate it as part of a well-planned project.
Bold colors
I think design professionals are going to push the envelope and incorporate bolder colors into their designs. Jewel tones, warm orange shades, pastels and more hues outside the box. I think designers who use these colors often in their designs (and even their own homes) will be looking for clients who appreciate this.
Spa baths
Spa baths seem to be the way to go now and moving forward for a while. Even small spaces can include a steam element, rainhead, etc. Larger spaces are incorporating soaking tubs, bathing and showering therapies, benches, skylights, floating vanities and heated floors.
Q: What up-and-coming ideas or new directions are you noticing in kitchen and bath design?
Personalization in the form of artwork
Curated items from antique shops
Mementos from travel
Designers are creating places for these to shine rather than just hanging something on a wall or placing something on an open shelving.
Image: Nicole White Designs
Q: What color palettes do you expect to see more of in 2026?
Jewel tones as pops of color to embolden neutral palettes. Everyone has a white kitchen, and there are plenty of homeowners who do not want the same thing as everyone else.
Q: What materials or patterns are gaining popularity for kitchen backsplashes?
This is where I see clients and design pros really taking a chance – the sky seems to be the limit: color, pattern, texture, mirrored finishes. These can be changed out with minimal disruption and cost, so homeowners are more inclined to take a chance.
Kitchen and Bathroom Trends Losing Popularity in 2026
Just as new styles emerge, others begin to fade. We asked Chelsie for her take on which trends might be on their way out to make room for the new looks.
Q: Are there specific styles, finishes, or design choices that you believe will start to decline in popularity in 2026?
Colorless kitchens
White and gray kitchens with zero pops of color will hopefully fall out of favor.
Contemporary style
I do not think the modern/contemporary style is as popular in the U.S. as it is overseas, but homeowners in areas like California may be more apt to choose the minimalist look.
Q: Which trends do you feel are currently overhyped, receiving a lot of attention but not truly catching on in practice?
Smart technology is not catching on for certain demographics. I think our industry is missing the mark on learning about this movement, and in turn, older clients are not buying into its potential benefits.
The Future of Kitchen and Bath Functionality
Beyond aesthetics, we explored how technology, storage, and sustainability are evolving.
Q: Are there specific cabinet layouts or storage innovations you predict will become standard in future kitchens and bathrooms?
I think cabinet layouts at every price point will have some level of customization. Soft-close and no-wiggle elements need to be the norm, hands down.
If not doing so already, designers need to drill down into the specifics of what a homeowner needs to have an effective, functional cabinetry plan in their kitchens and baths. They may not need storage for a blender or a curling iron they never use, but everyday items at arms’ reach are imperative.
Q: Do you think sustainability will transition from a design trend to a standard expectation in kitchen and bath design?
I can only hope so, but it is up to design pros to really incentivize and educate their clients on its importance. Homeowners still think sustainability equates to more money and less function. They need to understand the health and wellness aspect of it. Design pros should all be supporting brands and companies that embrace sustainability in all aspects of their motto. That way, even if their clients are not into sustainability, they are still incorporating it.
Chelsie Butler’s Ultimate Kitchen and Bath Wishlist
Q: If you were designing your own dream kitchen and bath with no budget limitations, what must-have features, materials, or technologies would you include?
A countertop with movement and color in the kitchen
Specialized storage in both spaces but especially in the bathroom
A steam aspect in the bathroom
A showerhead that cleans itself or has a filter
Heated floors in the bathroom
Colorful cabinetry and a large island in the kitchen
A pantry of some sort in the kitchen
Ample space to move in the kitchen
Final Takeaway: Intentional, Healthy, and Personal Spaces
The central message from Chelsie is a move away from cookie-cutter designs and toward spaces that are deeply personal, highly functional, and promote wellness. The future of kitchen and bath design isn't just about how a room looks—it's about how it makes you feel. By embracing bold colors, spa-like features, and sustainable materials, homeowners can create spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial for years to come.
Laura Madrigal is the Home Design Specialist at Fixr.com, dedicated to identifying and analyzing significant changes within residential design. She is the author of leading trends reports on interior design, kitchen, and bathroom, and her insights have been featured in publications like Realtor and the New York Post.