In many ways, cabinetry forms the foundation of your kitchen. It's the largest element of the design, and it sets the style and color story for the rest of your space. So, needless to say, it's important to get it right.
And kitchen trends are really helpful when making your design choices. We're not suggesting you design a space focused on trending features, but it's a great way to source inspiring ideas to add personality and unique appeal to your kitchen cabinets.
So you'll be pleased to hear that 2026's kitchen cabinet trends have those two things in abundance. From color to unexpected details, these are the cabinetry trends to have on your radar if you're planning a refresh in the coming year.
9 Kitchen Cabinet Trends to Know for 2026
Even the smallest kitchen cabinet details can have an impact on the appeal of your design, and there's plenty to consider where this year's trends are concerned. Whether you want to bring in curvaceous finishes in a less expected way or introduce a reimagined take on a classic profile, these are the kitchen cabinet trends to have on your radar.
1. Cut-Outs and Perforated Details
As the desire for a more personalized and layered kitchen continues to rise, attention is turning to kitchen cabinets. Continuous runs of plain cabinetry can feel flat and uninspiring, which is why this latest trend is emerging.
'One of the biggest shifts we’re predicting is decorative cabinetry featuring vent-hole details, perforated fronts, cutouts, or patterned airflow panels. It’s a subtle way to add craftsmanship,' says Kailee Blalock, co-founder of House of Hive Design Co.
It's a small detail that has a big impact. In this kitchen, four holes in a diamond formation may be a ventilation solution, but they add a decorative detail that instantly elevates the entire scheme. If you don't want to drill holes into your kitchen cabinets, adding this Wood Onlay Scroll from Wayfair and painting it the same color can be just as effective.
2. Dark Wood
Wooden kitchens have been back in style since the beginning of last year, and it's a material that's here to stay – it's one of the most timeless looks you can go for. But in 2026, dark wood kitchens will be the top choice, according to designers.
'We’re expecting a continued return to darker woods. What began as a subtle trend in 2025 is gaining momentum,' says Kristina Khersonsky, principal designer at Studio Keeta, who says these richer tones are taking over their paler alternatives.
'Rich, grain-forward finishes like walnut and mahogany are becoming more popular, replacing the lighter woods that dominated for years. These tones offer a sense of warmth, character, and timelessness that feels more in line with how people want to experience their kitchens now.'
3. Curved Edges and Decorative Details
It's not just playful cutouts and elevated ventilation accessories that will be adorning cabinet doors this year. Everything is getting more decorative, with sculptural forms and characterful paneling and edges making a strong appearance.
'I think we’ll be seeing a lot more detailed cabinetry in 2026. Not necessarily ornate, but thoughtful details that add visual interest and elevate what is otherwise a utilitarian part of the home,' says Ethan Charles, owner and principal designer at Ethan Charles Design.
'Cabinetry occupies so much physical and visual space in a kitchen, and people are starting to see it as an opportunity to make an aesthetic statement. Even a subtle profile, a softened edge, or a unique panel detail can completely transform the space.'
You can go as pared-back or as bold as you wish with this trend. A subtle curve can create a more organic feel, while decorative molding, instead of a standard Shaker panel, can create something far more unique and characterful.
And it's a trend that interior designer Kathy Kuo is also excited about. 'I’m loving kitchen cabinets that feature rich traditional detailing – think accents like subtly carved corners, contrasting trim, or chamfer edges. This kind of cabinetry brings so much depth and visual interest to the heart of the home,' she adds.
4. Integrated Storage
A kitchen needs to be functional as well as pretty, but this trend ticks both boxes. It's about organized spaces that are free of clutter and visual dividers. That's right, integrated is still very much in favor.
'In 2026, we’ll continue to see a strong shift toward seamless, integrated storage solutions. Homeowners are prioritizing function as much as form, and cabinetry is reflecting that,' says Kristina.
'Think hidden appliances, smart storage, and full-height cabinetry that make kitchens feel more streamlined and clutter-free. It’s all about designing spaces that support ease of use while maintaining a clean, elevated look,' she explains.
5. Bold, Unexpected Colors
This year's kitchen color trends have much to excite, from reimagined neutrals to a bolder approach. And it's the latter that will be dominating cabinet trends, as kitchens come to life with bold and perhaps even unexpected hues.
'I expect bold and unexpected colors to be a big kitchen cabinet trend in 2026. Personally, I’ve been incorporating rich tones like yellow, mauve, burgundy, and various shades of green, often paired with stained woods to create a balanced look,' says interior designer Becky Shea.
'Adding color is such a wonderful way to bring life and personality to a kitchen, while still keeping it fresh, refined, and timeless,' she adds. A two-tone kitchen is a stylish way to add contrast, whether it's between the wall and cabinets or your perimeter cabinetry and island.
6. Micro-Shaker Cabinets
There aren't many cabinet designs that feel as classic or timeless as a Shaker kitchen. Until now, that is. Micro Shaker cabinets are a thinner, more contemporary take on the classic that blends seamlessly in kitchens of every style, and it's a look people are increasingly gravitating towards.
'Micro Shaker is gaining momentum because it represents the natural evolution of Shaker cabinetry. Homeowners still value the clarity and familiarity of the framed door, but the proportions of the traditional shaker are beginning to feel heavier in today’s kitchens,' says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
'By refining the rails and softening the transitions, micro Shaker preserves the integrity of the original design while responding to a growing preference for clean, architectural lines. It brings structure without weight, which is why it works so well within the calmer, material-led schemes shaping 2026.'
7. Specialist Finishes and Materials
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, the finish options usually land between paint or stain – two fabulous options that add character and personality in abundance. But in 2026, trends are looking to less expected looks, with specialist finishes at the forefront of designs.
'More bespoke cabinets like muraled, specialist-painted finishes. It has been a big trend elsewhere in the decorating world, and I think it will move into kitchen cabinets,' says interior designer Octavia Dickinson. Think colored acrylic, lacquered paint, and even new types of wood.
'I feel people are realizing the potential to be different and how, with constant bombardment online of images, it is nice to have something unique and personal,' she adds, explaining the trend coincides with the shift towards experimenting with new materials and textures in kitchens.
8. Freestanding Cabinetry
Mixing freestanding furniture into kitchens was a big trend over the past year, and as we head into 2026, expect to see more unfitted cabinetry. 'I believe we will be moving towards a less ‘built-in’ look, away from uniformity, and more toward character. This means freestanding units,' says interior designer Laura Stephens.
And she's not the only one championing this kitchen cabinet trend, and it's clear to see why. It creates a more dynamic scheme, as well as a more versatile one. A kitchen with freestanding cabinetry, even if it's just a small amount, feels a little bit more curated and much more lived-in.
'Freestanding furniture will play a big part in kitchen design going forward, with people looking for a more flexible and multifunctional approach that doesn’t compromise on style,' agrees Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune.
'Having the ability to move pieces around the kitchen, or even from home to home as you move, offers a more fluid, informal approach to cabinetry that can evolve with your needs.' It can be as simple as a freestanding island, or adding a full-length cabinet like this Whitney Curtain Wood Hutch from Anthropologie, which also nails the trend for dark wood.
9. Stained Finishes
If you don't want a kitchen filled with natural wood tones, this trend is for you. The flatness of painted cabinets is falling out of favor, with stained surfaces taking their place. And we're not just talking wood tones, but more saturated hues from muddy greens to rusty reds.
'Painted kitchens will always have a place, but there is a definite shift toward materials with inherent texture and character. We’re using more stained finishes, which allow clients to embrace color while maintaining the longevity of timber,' says Sophie Pringle, interior designer and founder of Pringle & Pringle.
'In one recent project, we stained the island in a deep, rich green so the grain remained visible, and in another, we used a black stain on the base units. Staining is an elegant way to introduce depth and personality without the maintenance concerns of painted cabinetry, and it pairs beautifully with the more complex, earthy tones that are defining next year’s palettes.'
Kitchen cabinet trends this year are following in the footsteps of other elements in the kitchen. It's all about personalized designs that focus on the small details, whether it's a rounded edge, an unexpected color, or a freestanding piece. These trends are about softening your space and creating a more lived-in environment.
