Kitchen Design
These Are the Kitchen Features Homeowners Are Choosing Right Now
New remodeling data shows how cabinet styles, surfaces and details are evolving in kitchens
Fresh insights from the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study reveal how today’s renovating homeowners are reshaping the heart of the home. Nearly everyone upgrades the big-ticket basics like countertops, backsplashes, cabinets and appliances, but those elements are evolving. Wood cabinets have edged out white, specialty storage is nearly universal, butcher block is surging on islands, and slab backsplashes are carving out a big role. Here’s a closer look at the features and details homeowners are prioritizing in their kitchen upgrades.
1. Cabinets
Wood cabinets overtake white. Wood has claimed the top spot for kitchen cabinet color. Nearly 3 in 10 renovating homeowners (29%) are choosing wood cabinets — a 6-percentage-point jump from the previous year, pushing white into second place at 28% after a 5-point decline in the same period. Medium wood tones lead the pack (15%), followed by light wood (11%) and dark wood (3%), signaling a shift toward warmth and natural character.
Off-white cabinets hold steady at 15%. Green (6%) now edges out gray (5%), while blue, beige, black and greige remain niche options, each used in fewer than 5% of renovated kitchens.
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Wood cabinets overtake white. Wood has claimed the top spot for kitchen cabinet color. Nearly 3 in 10 renovating homeowners (29%) are choosing wood cabinets — a 6-percentage-point jump from the previous year, pushing white into second place at 28% after a 5-point decline in the same period. Medium wood tones lead the pack (15%), followed by light wood (11%) and dark wood (3%), signaling a shift toward warmth and natural character.
Off-white cabinets hold steady at 15%. Green (6%) now edges out gray (5%), while blue, beige, black and greige remain niche options, each used in fewer than 5% of renovated kitchens.
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Rich wood cabinets bring warmth and character to this Minneapolis kitchen by Melissa Mathieu Designs. The space highlights other top renovation trends, including white countertops and walls, a white tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.
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10 Kitchen Remodeling Trends to Know for 2026
Shades of white are still preferred for contrasting upper cabinets. Nearly a quarter of renovating homeowners (24%) opt for contrasting upper and lower cabinets, with white leading for uppers (40%), followed by off-white (19%) and wood tones (17%).
For lower cabinets, wood finishes are at the top of the list (37%), while blue (19%) and green (14%) follow. Black (7%) and gray (6%) remain the least common choices for contrasting lowers.
For lower cabinets, wood finishes are at the top of the list (37%), while blue (19%) and green (14%) follow. Black (7%) and gray (6%) remain the least common choices for contrasting lowers.
This Milwaukee kitchen by Highland Builders pairs white upper cabinets with warm wood lowers for a bright, inviting two-tone look that feels fresh and timeless.
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25 Home Design Trends Defining How We’ll Live in 2026
Almost all upgraded cabinets have specialty storage. Built-in specialty storage is now standard: 94% of renovated kitchens include it. The most common feature is a pullout for waste or recycling (64%), followed by dedicated spots for cookie sheets and trays (55%), spices (41%), cutlery (38%) and even a microwave (38%).
In this Washington, D.C.-area kitchen, Grossmueller’s Design Consultants, which uses Houzz Pro software, added clever storage for baking sheets and pans concealed in toekick drawers.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
2. Kitchen Islands
Islands remain a focal point in kitchen remodels. Nearly 3 in 5 renovating homeowners (58%) add or update one, with new additions and upgrades evenly split at 29% each. About a third of renovating homeowners (36%) don’t have a kitchen island and aren’t adding one, while 6% keep their existing island unchanged.
Islands remain a focal point in kitchen remodels. Nearly 3 in 5 renovating homeowners (58%) add or update one, with new additions and upgrades evenly split at 29% each. About a third of renovating homeowners (36%) don’t have a kitchen island and aren’t adding one, while 6% keep their existing island unchanged.
Islands are becoming mini appliance hubs. Kitchen islands are doing more than ever, with 53% of renovators adding at least one new appliance. Dishwashers (35%) and microwaves (32%) remain the most common additions, though dishwashers are gaining ground while microwaves slip slightly year over year. Cooktops stay popular (15%), and ranges see modest growth (6%). Smaller shares include wine refrigerators (6%), range hoods (2%) and warming drawers (2%).
In this San Diego kitchen by Kitchens Plus, a dishwasher sits conveniently beside the island sink, making cleanup easy.
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10 Kitchen Island Features Pros Always Recommend
3. Countertops
White tops countertop colors. White continues to lead as the top countertop color, chosen by 37% of renovating homeowners, though its share has dipped slightly from the previous year. Off-white holds steady at 26%, while black (9%), beige (7%) and gray (7%) remain less common.
White tops countertop colors. White continues to lead as the top countertop color, chosen by 37% of renovating homeowners, though its share has dipped slightly from the previous year. Off-white holds steady at 26%, while black (9%), beige (7%) and gray (7%) remain less common.
Butcher block surges in popularity for contrasting island countertops. One in 5 homeowners (21%) choose different surfaces for their island and main countertops. Butcher block or wood slabs lead the trend (44%) for islands, jumping 13 points from the previous year. Engineered quartz (18%) and granite (12%) follow, while marble (5%), quartzite (5%) and porcelain (2%) are used less frequently.
A wood slab island countertop adds warmth and visual interest to this Seattle kitchen by Q Design Studio.
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5 Countertops That Look Beautiful in a White Kitchen
4. Backsplashes
White dominates backsplash colors. Among backsplash colors, white (31%) continues to top the list, though its percentage is down 4 points from the previous year. Off-white (26%) follows closely, up by 4 points. Beige (8%), gray (7%) and blue (6%) backsplashes are used sparingly.
White dominates backsplash colors. Among backsplash colors, white (31%) continues to top the list, though its percentage is down 4 points from the previous year. Off-white (26%) follows closely, up by 4 points. Beige (8%), gray (7%) and blue (6%) backsplashes are used sparingly.
Engineered quartz is the slab backsplash favorite. While tile still dominates — selected by 72% of kitchen renovators — many homeowners are opting for slab-style backsplashes (28%). Engineered quartz leads the slab trend (39%), followed by quartzite (33%), with granite (9%), marble (6%) and porcelain (4%) chosen far less often.
This Houston kitchen by Alair | Cason Graye Homes pairs a slab backsplash behind the range with white tile on the surrounding walls for a clean, modern look.
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12 Inspiring Kitchens With Slab Backsplashes
5. Walls
Neutral palettes lead for kitchen walls. Off-white remains the top wall color (29%), with white down at 21% year over year. Gray (10%), blue (7%) and beige (7%) round out the most common choices.
Neutral palettes lead for kitchen walls. Off-white remains the top wall color (29%), with white down at 21% year over year. Gray (10%), blue (7%) and beige (7%) round out the most common choices.
Fresh white walls lend a light, airy feel to this Atlanta kitchen by Phillips | Collins Construction Group.
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9 Paint Colors Poised to Dominate in 2026
6. Appliances
Stainless steel continues to dominate kitchen appliances. The classic finish is selected by 72% of renovating homeowners. White (6%), black stainless (6%) and black (5%) follow, while off-white (2%) remains a niche choice.
Stainless steel continues to dominate kitchen appliances. The classic finish is selected by 72% of renovating homeowners. White (6%), black stainless (6%) and black (5%) follow, while off-white (2%) remains a niche choice.
In this Minneapolis kitchen, M. Victoria Johnson Interiors pairs stainless steel appliances with warm wood accents and sage green cabinets for a balanced, inviting look.
The 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from 1,780 Houzz users who reported being 18 years old or older, being a homeowner and having completed a kitchen remodel or addition in the past 12 months or to be currently working on one or planning to start one in the next six months. The survey was fielded between July 6 and July 30, 2025.
See more results and download the full study
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The 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study gathered information from 1,780 Houzz users who reported being 18 years old or older, being a homeowner and having completed a kitchen remodel or addition in the past 12 months or to be currently working on one or planning to start one in the next six months. The survey was fielded between July 6 and July 30, 2025.
See more results and download the full study
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
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Appliances also get major attention. Just over half of renovators (51%) replace all of them, while 33% upgrade select pieces. Wall finishes remain a common project (44%), though fewer tackle windows (29%), interior doors (18%) and exterior doors (18%). Electronics upgrades are rare at just 7%.
Next, we take a closer look at what homeowners are choosing for cabinets, islands, countertops, backsplashes, walls and appliances.