Top Kitchen & Bath Trends For 2026, According to Realtors

With lending rates dipping to a three-year low earlier this month, 2026 may be a smart time for homeowners to consider a kitchen or bathroom renovation. But according to three real estate professionals we spoke with, the kitchen and bath updates that make the most sense right now aren’t about chasing trends—they’re about balancing day-to-day livability with long-term appeal.

While Instagram might have you thinking everyone is painting their kitchen cabinets burgundy, or installing jewel-toned zellige tile in their showers, Realtors across markets say the real shift is more even-keeled. They’re seeing kitchens and bathrooms move away from flashy upgrades and toward warmth, functionality, and thoughtful design—especially when resale is part of the equation.

Here, we’re breaking down the key kitchen and bath trends they say are gaining ground—and the popular aesthetics they’re replacing. 

Meet the experts

Out: All-white everything.

The cold, contemporary, all-white look that dominated kitchens and bathrooms for nearly two decades is finally losing its grip. White cabinets paired with white counters and white subway tile in kitchens and wall-to-wall bright white tiling in bathrooms now feel stark and clinical rather than fresh.

In: Warm neutrals and natural materials.

In white’s place, says Ward, is a move toward an earthier palette—taupes, mushrooms, linen-whites and beiges are the colors dujour—and more natural materials. In kitchens, the Raleigh, North Carolina-based real estate professional sees “wood tones coming back in a big way, especially white oak and walnut, which are often paired with lighter countertops,” while in bathrooms, “buyers are responding to warmer neutrals, subtle texture, and finishes that feel calming.” 

And while you may get flashbacks of the Tuscan aesthetic popular in the early 2000s, this time, it’s different, says McKinney-Tritschler, who specializes in the luxury market. “At higher price points, buyers may appreciate organic modern or European-influenced minimalism, but even then, they aren’t looking for anything that feels stark or overly curated,” she says. “What resonates most right now is a more minimal, layered approach—one that allows buyers to see the architecture and flow of the home without distraction.”

In: More color and personality. 

Samuels, who operates out of Westlake Village in California, says that buyers are still largely playing it safe when it comes to drama in a kitchen or bathroom space, but says that he does see “a small shift towards more color, usually in a lighter shade—think milky pastels,” he explains. 

“The shift toward more personality is there, but measured,” agrees Ward. “Buyers are more open to color, texture, and contrast than they were a few years ago, especially when it is done in a balanced way.” That said, she adds that they “prefer that the core elements feel neutral enough to live with long-term. The goal seems to be character without commitment to something that would feel dated quickly.” 

Some specific popular colors for cabinetry, a statement vanity, or even things like appliances are soft blues, greens and, more recently, buttery yellow. 

Out: Rows and rows of cupboards. 

Jamming as many cabinets into your kitchen space as you can is a thing of the past. Sure, storage is still paramount, but large stretches of upper cabinets aren’t as desirable anymore due to the heavy visual result. 

In: Simplified cabinetry with thoughtful storage.

Instead, all of our pros agree that fewer uppers and more creative storage solutions speak to homeowners’ desires for openness while remaining practical. “Large pantries, appliance garages, and integrated storage are becoming more desirable than traditional rows of cabinets,” explains Ward. “This aligns with buyers wanting kitchens to look clean without sacrificing function.” 

Out: Seeing every room from the front door. 

No real estate professional or even designer can firmly say that the open concept floor plan is dead, but it’s definitely evolving. Completely wide-open layouts without separation are becoming less desirable, especially as people continue to work, study, and spend more time at home. 

In: Intentionally separated spaces. 

“Buyers want kitchens that feel open, functional, and connected to the rest of the house,” McKinney-Tritschler says—but not at the expense of livability. Defined zones matter more now, including quieter areas for home offices, homework, or simply a break from household noise. The same thinking applies to bathrooms, where thoughtful separation is increasingly important. “Prospective homeowners care deeply about having enough bathrooms for the household,” McKinney-Tritschler notes. Primary suites are a must, and separation for children is a major plus. Overall, the desire for homes that make everyday life easier (not just ones that photograph well) are where we are headed. 

Out: Large, freestanding soaking tubs. 

When asked about one of the top bathroom trends, Ward called out the surprising shift from a once-luxury staple to, yet again, something for everyday functionality. “Those large, free-standing soaking tubs that dominate the room (but rarely get used) are becoming outdated,” she says. 

In: Large, walk-in showers. 

The practicality that a walk-in shower offers is quickly beating out the showy soaking tub. “Many buyers would rather have a larger shower or even more storage,” says Ward. “At the end of the day, there is better use for that space!” Frameless glass doors, in particular, are growing in popularity, especially when paired with a shower stall design that has minimal tiles and clean lines. “These can make a bathroom feel more spacious, which is a big win in both new and older homes,” she adds. 

In: Waterfall showerheads.

Similar sensible upgrades are sticking around, too. Samuels points to waterfall showerheads as one feature with staying power. They’re sleek, but also genuinely improve the shower experience—an important distinction for today’s homeowners and buyers.