Last Updated on February 6, 2026
2026 is poised to be the year of the house party! How do we know this? Because kitchen renovations are becoming increasingly popular—implying that more homeowners are looking forward to entertaining this year.
Set yourself up for the trendiest kitchen on the block! If a kitchen renovation is in your future, here’s what’s trending in 2026.
Wood is king
In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 was the year of the Wood Snake. But homeowners across America are holding on to this earthy element this year. More than any paint color, people are choosing wood for their cabinets this year. 29% of homeowners are choosing this natural look, up 6% since last year, and narrowly beating out white cabinets, which dropped to 28%. Among these, more than half are choosing medium tones, signaling a shift toward warmth in the kitchen. Makes sense.
In addition, butcher block and wood slab have surged in popularity for kitchen island countertops. Among those homeowners who choose contrasting surfaces for their islands, wood is up 13% since last year, totaling 44% of home remodels. Engineered quartz comes in a distant second at 18%.
Islands become appliance hubs
Kitchen islands continue to be at the top of everyone’s wishlist, as a growing 58% of homeowners add or update their island during a kitchen remodel. However, new for this year is the trend in what they feature. More than half (53%) of renovators are adding at least one appliance to their kitchen island. Dishwashers (35%) and microwave ovens (32%) remain the most common additions, with dishwashers gaining ground over microwaves each year. Island ranges are also up 2 points this year to 6%, while range hoods are down the same amount to 2%.
Warm and neutral lead color choices
To match the growing popularity of wood cabinets and island countertops, warm neutrals are growing among supporting colors. For backsplash renovations, white is still dominant at 31%. However, it is down 4 points from last year, and off-white is up the same amount at 26%. For wall colors, off-white leads at 29%, with white down 4 points to 21%. For both wall colors and backsplashes, between 6–10% of home renovators continue to choose gray, blue, or beige.
Stainless steel continues to dominate appliance colors, at 72%.
Specialty storage remains a high priority
Gone are the days of cluttered countertops and peekaboo shelving! Over the past few years, the trend toward open shelving has slowly waned. Homeowners now are looking for a cleaner, more uniform look in their busy spaces—and this includes the kitchen. In response, 94% of upgraded kitchen cabinets include some type of specialty storage. At the top of this list are pullouts for waste or recycling (64%), and dedicated spots for cookie sheets and trays (55%), spices (41%), cutlery (38%), and the microwave (38%).
Get in touch today to learn more about what features are trending in home design and how a renovation could affect the value of your home.
Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate is the #1 real estate company in the Carolinas, with more than 80 offices and 1,800 agents serving communities across North and South Carolina and Georgia. As part of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the largest family-owned and operated real estate company in the United States, Howard Hanna Allen Tate offers a full suite of real estate services, including mortgage, insurance, title and relocation. For more information, visit howardhannatate.com.
