2026 Kitchen Design Trends Every Michigan Homeowner Should Know
The kitchens are one of the busiest rooms. It’s where we eat, cook, and clean everyday. If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, this year’s kitchen design trends can guide you on the proven ways of elevating its comfort, function, and value.
For 2026 kitchen design trends, natural materials, organic shapes, and smart technology continue to grow from last year. Discreet kitchen additions and furnishings are evolving as the kitchen becomes more of a social hub for Michigan homeowners. Read below to discover the trends that can optimize the potential of your kitchen space.
Start planning your home remodel today
Embrace Soft Curves with Rounded Doorways in 2026 Kitchens
2026 kitchen design trends are moving away from harsh lines and right angles. Instead, fluid and natural shapes, such as archways, rounded doorways, and curved kitchen islands, add movement and architectural charm to the kitchen interior. These sculpted silhouettes soften the overall look, making the kitchen feel more inviting.
Extend Your Stone Style with Shelf-Up Backsplashes
A shelf-up backsplash is a design-forward alternative to traditional upper kitchen cabinets. It combines open shelving with a solid-surface backsplash, balancing function and aesthetic appeal.
Using the same natural stone as your countertops, the shelf-up backsplash creates a continuous surface that feels high-end and cohesive. Its wooden, metal, or natural-stone floating shelves create a biophilic design that calms the mind.
At MainStreet Design Build, we typically design 12″–18″ stone backsplashes that align beautifully with Michigan homeowners’ preferences for elegant yet functional kitchens.
Integrate Smart Appliances with Hidden Tech and Clean Design
One of the top 2026 kitchen design trends is the shift towards innovative, connected kitchens. Efficient and elegant, these kitchens go beyond flashy features. They improve comfort in kitchen activities, making cooking and cleaning more automated and precise.
A well-designed kitchen remodel thoughtfully considers appliance placement to support your daily routines. When selecting smart kitchen appliances, focus on the tasks you’d like to streamline. Whether it’s meal prep, cooking, or cleanup, make the technology work for you with the following examples of smart appliances:
- WiFi-enabled refrigerators that allow you to adjust refrigerator temperature via app.
- Ovens that you can preheat from your phone on the way home.
- Dishwashers auto-sense workload and choose the best cycle.
- Energy-efficient appliances help reduce monthly utility costs, making this tech-savvy kitchen an investment that pays off.
- Induction cooktops that cool instantly.
At MainStreet Design Build, we specialize in integrating smart home technology with custom cabinetry, ensuring form meets function beautifully.
Mix Your Metals for a Balanced, Layered Kitchen Aesthetic
Mixing metal finishes of fixtures, appliances, and hardware creates depth and texture. With its layered approach, it delivers a more curated, high-end look that no single finish can match.
Start with a Dominant Metal, Then Build Intentionally
The key to metal-mixing is intentional contrast, not competition. Select one metal as your base, then layer a secondary and an optional third tone.
A balanced combination of warm and cool tones adds emotion and richness to the space. For instance, cool metals like chrome or pewter complement warm tones like copper or rose gold.
Tie Everything Together with Neutral Anchors
Once you’ve chosen your metal mix combination, you can tie everything together with a neutral anchor. Natural stone, wooden accents, or matte-black hardware can serve as a unifying element. These neutral materials buffer the transition between metals for a cohesive and elegant kitchen interior.
Use Metal to Set the Mood and Style
Metals can influence how the space feels. Cool tones evoke sleekness and calm, while warm tones bring energy and warmth. When setting the mood and style in metal mixing, the following combinations can create the following ambience:
- Polished nickel + natural brass for timeless elegance
- Chrome + matte black for a modern aesthetic
- Bronze + antique gold for a cozy, warm vibe
At MainStreet Design Build, our designers help you mix metals for your kitchen remodel. With precision and artistry, we create kitchens that feel emotionally engaging.
Make a Bold Impression with Statement Kitchen Lighting
Statement lighting isn’t just functional. It’s a defining element in luxury kitchen interiors. It enhances visual flow, distinguishes key zones, and transforms the room’s mood and purpose. With the kitchen island as the natural focal point, the lighting above it should balance task illumination and bold design:
- A fusion of traditional forms—such as Victorian gaslight fixtures and Edwardian chandeliers—with modern materials and smart-home compatibility.
- Pendant lights are trending toward natural materials and organic elements, such as curved wooden and stained-glass options.
- Other natural materials aren’t just for aesthetics. Ceramic pendants softly diffuse LED light, eliminating harsh shadows while maintaining strong task visibility.
Smart Layered Lighting
Along with statement lighting, smart layered illumination continues to trend through 2026. Combining multiple decorative fixtures supports task, ambient, and accent needs throughout the day.
From overhead decorative fixtures and under-cabinet strips to in-cabinet lighting and toe-kick lighting, seamless functionality can be achieved through smart technology:
- Fixtures that can adjust brightness, beam direction, and color temperature based on time of day or activity mode.
- Motion sensors under cabinets that eliminate the need to fumble for switches—perfect for nighttime or hands-full moments.
- Proximity sensors or voice commands that activate task lighting before you even reach for the cutting board.
- Programmable lighting scenes that allow instant shifts from “cooking” to “dining” or “entertaining” modes, all from a single app or voice command.
Create a Custom Look with Plaster Range Hoods in Any Size
A plaster range hood has two functions. It’s a useful appliance and an architectural focal point. Serving as a high-performance extractor above the cooktop, it’s suitable for classic, Mediterranean, and transitional-style homes.
These hoods have a handcrafted feel, making them ideal for homeowners seeking a traditional yet curated kitchen aesthetic. They offer both structure and movement that steel or stainless steel options can’t replicate.
Plaster also pairs beautifully with natural materials. From wood beams to stone countertops and metal hardware, they complement plaster range hoods—allowing you to layer textures in a visually appealing way.
At MainStreet Design Build, we offer full customization for your plaster range hood. From size and shape to ornamental details, you can choose between smooth or textured finishes, incorporating arches, cornices, or sculptural curves to match your kitchen interior.
Acquire Separate Spaces Through Walk-In Pantries and Prep Kitchens
Among the most practical and stylish kitchen trends for 2026, walk-in pantries and prep kitchens are a smart way to separate function and form. They keep the kitchen presentation clean and clutter hidden, especially when you’re hosting.
Walk-In Pantries: Storage Powerhouse Meets Organization Hub
A walk-in pantry is more than a closet. It’s a full room designed for optimal storage of food and small appliances. Features include:
- Floor-to-ceiling shelving for dry goods, bulk purchases, and cookware
- Countertops for secondary prep
- Organizational systems that keep clutter out of the main kitchen area
This type of kitchen addition is ideal for homeowners who buy in bulk or use specialty cookware, keeping everyday surfaces clean and clear.
Prep Kitchens: The Secret Weapon for Entertaining
A prep kitchen is a behind-the-scenes workspace designed to handle the mess. Hidden from the main kitchen, it allows you to host with a presentation-ready kitchen interior. Typically includes:
- Sink, ample counter space, and outlets for appliances
- Can scale to include a second fridge, dishwasher, or even wall ovens
It’s a perfect solution for hosting events, celebrating holidays, or handling everyday multitasking without disrupting your home’s flow.
Blend Function and Mystery with Hidden Cabinets
Hidden cabinet doors to disguise pantries, galleys, or prep kitchens create a more streamlined, elegant kitchen interior. It reduces visual clutter and enhances the room’s architectural flow.
Custom Hidden Pantry Doors
By seamlessly integrating into our kitchen cabinetry design, concealed doors remain inconspicuous while improving storage and function. We often recommend pocket doors, as they’re space savers that disappear entirely into the wall when open, making them perfect for small kitchen additions or tight layouts.
Functional Details That Disappear Until You Need Them
Another way to conceal cabinet doors is to make them as unassuming as possible until you need them. You can achieve these with the following features:
- Magnetic push-to-open latches for a hardware-free look
- Integrated LED lighting that turns on as the door opens
- Adjustable shelving within the hidden door itself for added utility
At MainStreet Design Build, we specialize in custom hidden door solutions. Whether you’re planning a hidden butler’s pantry or prep room, our team ensures these concealed features feel intentional, elegant, and expertly crafted.
Go Beyond Square with Unique, Rounded Countertop Edges
While often overlooked, countertop edge profiles significantly impact the overall aesthetic and feel of your kitchen interior. An emerging favorite in kitchen remodel trends, rounded edges add a softer, more welcoming tone to what might otherwise feel rigid and utilitarian.
Bullnose Edge: Timeless and Family-Friendly
Fully rounded from top to bottom, the bullnose edge is ideal for family kitchens and high-traffic rooms. Its smooth, curved design reduces the chance of bumps, bruises, and chips.
Half-Bullnose Edge: Balanced and Practical
With a rounded top and flat bottom, the half-bullnose edge highlights your stone’s thickness and directs water runoff, protecting your kitchen cabinetry.
Ogee Edge: Elevate with Classic Luxury
The ogee edge features a distinctive S-shaped curve, perfect for traditional and high-end kitchens. It adds visual interest, sophistication, and an opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship of your custom countertops.
Waterfall Radius Edge: Contemporary Meets Softness
On large kitchen islands, consider a radius waterfall edge where the stone flows smoothly down the sides, maintaining visual continuity without sharp breaks. This creates a striking effect in modern kitchen remodels, turning your island into a sculptural centerpiece.
At MainStreet Design Build, we understand that even the smallest detail, like a countertop edge, can elevate the overall kitchen design. We guide you through selecting the perfect edge profile based on your home’s style, family needs, and material selection.
Choose Hardware That Feels Like Fine Furniture
A major kitchen design trend in 2026 is treating the kitchen island as a true piece of furniture, not just a utilitarian block. Whether through sculptural hardware, custom millwork, or integrated features, today’s islands act more like bespoke furnishings than fixed cabinetry. These design details offer warmth, functionality, and emotional appeal while supporting daily use.
Kitchen Islands That Act as Traditional Tables
Increasingly, kitchen remodels are featuring islands designed for gathering, conversation, and everyday dining. These islands feature:
- Ample seating
- Hidden kitchen appliances like ovens or beverage fridges
- Pull-out trash drawers, charging stations, or vegetable storage
They perform like a kitchen workhorse while looking like a stylish dining table.
Cozy Island Seating That Invites Gathering
Rather than barstools, trends are moving toward softer, casual seating solutions. As the kitchen becomes a more social hub, banquettes, upholstered stools, and built-in sofa nooks around islands enhance the design and comfort of the kitchen interior.
Wood Kitchen Islands That Anchor the Design
Dark wood islands are making a strong return, especially when contrasted with lighter cabinetry or walls. When topped with natural stone or marble countertops, these islands serve as both focal points and grounding elements.
Glass-Fronted Doors: A Furnished Touch
Reeded or frosted glass adds refinement and a soft glow while offering subtle glimpses of storage. These finishes mimic the feel of custom furniture and allow homeowners to introduce color, light, or pattern subtly into the space.
Sculptural Islands for Artistry and Function
Fluted, paneled, or curved textures elevate even the simplest island. Combined with elegant, furniture-inspired bar stools, these details introduce tactile richness and visual interest, without compromising durability or function.
Two-Tone for Contrast and Texture
Two-tone kitchen islands create subtle zoning through mixed materials like wood, marble, or tile. This design aligns perfectly with the modern kitchen trends that prioritize personalization and craftsmanship.
Add Personality with Pops of Color in the Kitchen Spac
Color is making a confident comeback. Saturated hues are set to return in 2026, bringing emotion, style, and individuality. In kitchens filled with neutrals, wood tones, and natural materials, a small pop of color creates contrast and focal interest without overpowering the space.
Warm Greens with Heritage Appeal
Warm greens, or greens with more yellow tints, bring a grounded elegance to traditional and contemporary kitchens. Olive, sage, and eucalyptus offer a sophisticated alternative to bolder greens. They create a timeless, heritage-inspired feel, especially when paired with white cabinetry, mixed metals, or wood textures.
Deep Purples and Plums for Drama
Rich, moody hues like burgundy, plum, and eggplant are becoming more popular for cabinetry, island bases, or backsplash accents. They pair beautifully with dark wood, brass hardware, and glass-fronted cabinets, offering an unexpected twist that still feels elevated.
Blue-Green Tones That Bring Nature In
Teal, moss, lichen, and other blue-green tones capture the calming energy of the outdoors in the kitchen interior. When balanced with creamy whites, beige-taupes, or matte natural finishes, these colors create warmth and dimension.
Jewel Tones as Sophisticated Statements
Peacock, navy, intense sage, and muted emerald are replacing brighter jewel tones for a more refined palette. These hues are best used strategically, such as on an island, an accent wall, or in open shelving, to draw the eye and define the room’s personality.
Schedule a Consultation and Explore More Kitchen Trends for Your Remodel
As fads come and go, trends help us discover proven, evolved ways to remodel our kitchens. Elevating the kitchen space often requires thinking out of the box. That’s where our architectural designers come in. Being up to date with the latest kitchen design trends, we help shape your vision into a tangible design that enhances your daily kitchen experience.
From there, our award-winning design-build process helps transform the kitchen you love into a space you’ll love even more.
Schedule a consultation with us today. Our architectural designers look forward to collaborating with you.