The Sleek Kitchen Countertop & Cabinet Trend That Everyone Will Want In Their Home

Material sophistication, space expansion, visual enhancements, and multi-purpose kitchen hubs were among the 11 things the National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) 2026 Kitchen Trends Report named as the core themes driving kitchen design for the next three years. The trade group represents designers, remodelers, manufacturers, and installers, as well as other professionals in the kitchen and bath industry. They predict that homeowners and decorators will continue to prefer designs that combine traditional and modern elements, and that earthy colors and conveniences like pet feeding stations are trends to watch out for. One trend – pairing light-colored countertops with darker cabinets — veers from the traditional.

Color is in. In 2024, the most commonly renovated room in homes was the kitchen. All-white everything, shiplap everywhere, or cutesy cottage kitchens had to go. Old favorites like granite and marble countertops continue to slip on the must-have design list, while low-maintenance quartz holds the top spot. Quartz is a manufactured stone that's lighter in weight and harder to damage, which comes in a multitude of colors and designs, two of the reasons it's commonly found in modern kitchens. On-trend backsplashes use the same material as the counter, forming a continuous surface that transitions from the counter to the wall. These easy-to-clean surfaces replace outdated tile.  Even if you choose one of the most affordable kitchen countertop materials, light-colored countertops reflect more light, making the kitchen seem airy and spacious, while the combination of light counters with darker cabinets adds visual depth.

NKBA predicts that shades of green will be the most popular color choice for cabinetry, walls, and tile. Designers cite the color's ability to connect us to nature for its favor, whether it's the dark hues of an emerald or a pale celery green. Light-colored countertops with matte or honed finishes are on trend, replacing dark, glossy counters. Combine boldly colored cabinets with solid or patterned engineered stone counters. Dramatic, high-contrast veining in colors like black and gold is trending, as are light counters with veining in warm hues like cinnamon or nature-inspired blues and greens. If midcentury modern is your look, choose solid colors like bright yellow or very light blue for your countertops to contrast with the vintage cabinet trend that's making a comeback. 

Waterfall edges, where the countertop continues down the side of the lower cabinet, are among the kitchen upgrades that are worth the price. They're dramatic, seamless, and work with any material.  No matter the material used, light-colored countertops reflect more light, making the kitchen seem airy and spacious. The combination with darker cabinets made from sustainable materials like reclaimed wood for both cabinets and floors adds drama. Using different materials or textures for countertops adds even more contrast as long as the materials showcase a clean, simple design. Brass cabinet hardware and fixtures have made a comeback, but open shelving is on its way out.