Kitchen footprint to grow | Toronto Sun

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Neutral colours and natural materials on trend: report

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The kitchen remains one of the hardest working rooms in the home and its footprint is expected to grow over the next three years, the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) 2026 Kitchen Trends Report finds.

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According to a NKBA survey completed by industry experts across North America, popular ways of increasing space include physically increasing the kitchen footprint, eliminating formal dining, sacrificing space in adjacent living areas and creating open-concept layouts with removed walls.

Hiding workspaces, appliances and food prep areas behind walls and doors reduces clutter and makes kitchens appear larger. Meanwhile, beverage areas, attached mudrooms, pet feeding stations and eat-in kitchens will be leading features in the coming years, the report found.

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When it comes to colours and materials, neutrals reign supreme. Ninety-six per cent of respondents identified neutrals as the most popular colours, with greens and blues close behind.

Splashy colours like millennial pink, bright orange and bright red ranked among the lowest. New statement colours will be incorporated in the backsplash, wallpaper, island and decorative accessories.

Natural materials also take the lead in the kitchen. Wood grain surpasses painted cabinets, with 59 per cent of survey respondents identifying it as growing in popularity. White oak was found to be the most popular wood type at 51 per cent. Natural quartzite comes in right behind quartz at 62 per cent for countertop materials and 61 per cent for backsplashes. Wood flooring is most popular among 94 per cent of respondents.

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Transitional/timeless tops the list of kitchen design styles, followed by contemporary/modern/minimalism, organic/natural and mid-century.

ISLANDS, PANTRIES

Homeowners seek islands that are both multi-purpose hubs and an expression of personal style. Kitchen islands act as areas for food prep, dining and storing appliances. Homeowners view kitchen islands as entertaining spaces, not just a place to serve food. Homeowners want pantries to be seamless and enhance organization and accessibility while reducing clutter. Walk-in, butler and built-in pantries will all be popular.

CABINETS

Clients are looking for improved usability in their cabinets and increasingly want a kitchen design customized to fit their personal cooking and lifestyle needs. Wood grain and painted surfaces, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and Modern European doors will be in demand. Homeowners will opt for two-toned and contrasting colour cabinets that feature soft-close, decorative hardware. More drawers and functional hardware for storage organization, along with charging stations, are appealing. White oak kitchen cabinets are favoured, although walnut will grow in popularity.

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COUNTERTOPS, BACKSPLASHES

Extending countertop materials up into the backsplash is rising in popularity, offering a seamless, cohesive aesthetic. Homeowners are prioritizing sanitary, easy-to-clean countertop surfaces, favoring non-porous, antibacterial and antimicrobial materials. Quartz and quartzite, honed/matte finishes and counters lighter than cabinets will be desired. Countertops will feature traditional or waterfall edges in both engineered and natural materials.

Mixing backsplash materials, shapes and finishes allow homeowners to express their unique style. The next three years will feature solid surface patterned backsplashes in warm neutrals and earth tones. Backsplash materials used will include ceramic/porcelain tile, engineered quartz and quartzite.

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FLOORING

Homeowners want durable, practical flooring with minimal or no grout lines to simplify cleaning. Top flooring choices are expected to be engineered wood and luxury vinyl wood plank. Warm neutrals, lighter wood and earth tones are expected to be top choices. Large format and plank flooring will be prevalent.

DISHWASHERS, REFRIGERATORS

Designers believe noise reduction and customizable wash settings will be in demand. Homeowners will want ultra quiet models and a third rack. Paneled to match cabinet facings and stainless finishes will dominate.

Refrigerators that offer flexibility, space and features to accommodate lifestyle are in demand. Dedicated beverage cooling units are also becoming a popular addition for both convenience and entertaining. Homeowners are seeking more refrigeration space to support healthy eating habits and active lifestyles. Homeowners will seek refrigerators with French doors and extra drawers in matching panels or stainless.

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COOKING APPLIANCES, VENTILATION

There’s a growing preference for multifunctional appliances, such as ovens with air frying or steam cooking capabilities. Homeowners are prioritizing ease of use and efficiency when selecting cooking appliances. Technology that supports both alternative cooking options and safety will be popular. Separate and combined oven and cooktop configurations will both be sought after.

Homeowners are increasingly choosing powerful, quiet vent hoods that effectively remove smoke, steam and odours. Ventilation hoods will be decorative yet functional and made from wood or stainless steel.

SINKS, FAUCETS

Wide workstation sinks that offer multiple tiers will be popular, though demand for single bowl sinks is on the rise. The most common sink material will be stainless steel, followed by composite and porcelain. Stainless/nickel and white will be most popular sink colours.

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Most homeowners prefer to match faucet finishes with cabinetry hardware. Matte, brushed, and satin will be popular faucet finishes. Either hands-free or manually controlled faucets in gold, black and stainless will be in fashion.

LIGHTING

Kitchens have become spaces for showcasing decorative, statement lighting. Mixing and matching lighting materials like metals, glass and fabric is becoming more common in kitchen lighting. Fixtures will mainly be gold, earth tones and black in matte and natural/wood finishes.

Lighting in kitchens is widely used to create different moods, such as coffee in the morning or cocktails at night. WiFi-connected lighting is increasingly in demand. Homeowners are incorporating nighttime lighting, such as toe-kick lighting, to enhance safety and aesthetics.

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