If Your Kitchen Has One of These 5 Features, It’s Already Ahead of 2026

I’ve always thought that a good kitchen is the mark of a truly stylish home. A true design lover — you know, someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes decor — will be able turn even the most practical room into a spectacularly stylish space.

Kitchens can be complicated, though; there’s no shortage of backsplash ideas, cabinet colors, and hardware finishes to choose from. If you’re thinking about sprucing up your own kitchen but not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. We spoke with 140 designers for our 2026 State of Home Design Report, aka your cheat sheet to this year’s hottest trends. Below, check out the top five elements that are most essential for crafting a truly cool culinary haven in 2026, according to the experts. 

Not sure what to do with that extra square footage? Treat yourself to a scullery. Over a third of the designers we spoke with agreed that walk-in pantries will be everywhere in 2026. A pantry might be the place where you stow snacks and spare table linens, but it shouldn’t sacrifice style. Case in point: this pretty pantry from designer Terri Brien, which is dressed up with sage cabinets, brass rail shelves, and the occasional artwork. 

We already called it: 2026 is all about “covecore,” and in the kitchen that’s the stove cove. According to our report, nearly one in five designers want to see more ranges and hoods integrated into charming alcoves. The result, they say, will turn the everyday appliance from a design afterthought into an intentional, architectural moment. If you want to take your stove cove to the next level, add some zesty tiles and a secret shelf as designer Rebecca Ward did here. 

Skip the schlep to Starbucks and add a coffee bar to your setup, as seen in this kitchen from Linda Hayslett. Not only does this zone give you a convenient spot to keep espresso makers, coffee beans, and mugs, but it also encourages you to romanticize your morning routine — plus, it provides a fun little space to experiment with an extra shot of style. About one in six designers said a coffee station was their dream kitchen amenity, so this trend is certainly here to stay.

H2: Opt for Inset Cabinets

Just because your kitchen cabinets offer sensible storage solutions doesn’t mean they’re a one-style-suits-all situation. Different fronts can convey a range of aesthetics, and over three-quarters of the designers we spoke with have their sights set on inset cabinets. Designer Jordan Vaughn of Alayna Louise Interiors loves the “antique-inspired” look of inset cabinets and recommends pairing them with bespoke details. “Think: integrated legs, aged finishes, and soft arches that feel architectural rather than built-in,” she says. 

The sweet dragonfly knobs designer Courtney B. Smith added to the inset doors pictured above give the old-school look a playful edge. Alternatively, if you’re more of a mid-century stan, opt for inset cabinet fronts with integrated pulls. “The look is tailored and architectural, blending craftsmanship with modernism,” says designer Lauren Saab of Saab Studios Design.

For years, darker woods felt old and outdated — but now? Rich, moody species like ebony, mahogany, and walnut work perfectly with today’s emphasis on traditional interiors. Because what’s old is new again, it’s not too shocking that over three-quarters of designers said they preferred brunette wood tones. 

Don’t worry, modernists: This trend’s for you, too. Julie China of Idea Space Architecture & Design bridged the gap between classic and contemporary in the kitchen shown above, pairing front-slab wooden doors with a cool, fluted island.