The Bespoke Trend That's Replacing Open Cabinets In 2026

In the coming year, we're likely going to see a rise in tailor-made cabinetry that meets individual homeowners' needs. While traditional cabinetry has its place and open cabinets had their moment, people are craving unique, clever storage solutions that give their homes a luxurious, customized feel. As Zillow explained in a 2026 homebuyer trend forecast, "We're seeing more desire for highly-personalized spaces because buyers are looking for homes that serve as a safe space and a reflection of their individual identity." While things like artisanal touches and wood built-ins that display quality craftsmanship are ramping up in searches, other implementations, like custom cabinetry in the kitchen, are also gaining traction.

More than likely, 2026 will see a surge in bespoke cabinet features like hidden pantries, appliance garages, cleverly integrated spice cabinets, and custom storage solutions. According to designers, discreet cabinetry that boosts storage space, clears countertops, and invites personalization to our culinary spaces will overtake traditional or open cabinets in popularity. While there are plenty of reasons why real estate agents caution against open shelving in your kitchen, this 2026 custom cabinet trend further highlights that homeowners want to maximize storage space in ways that are functional and unique rather than purely aesthetic.

Custom cabinets and integrated pantries in the kitchen can take on many different forms, but they often capitalize on lesser-used spaces, like gaps between the fridge and the wall, the space between the cabinets and the floor, and deep drawers. For example, spice cabinets can go in the slim space between counters and the wall. With only a few inches of clearance, tall drawers can stash rows of spices, then easily hide away. Other slim, unused spaces, like the sides of center islands, are getting bespoke upgrades to hide slender pans and cutting boards. Some homeowners are even DIY-ing their own custom storage solutions, like adding a lower pull-down drawer beneath upper cabinets for stashing spices.

Another novel addition to kitchens is the stand mixer lift hidden in a lower cabinet, as seen in a TikTok video from creator @abrowntable. If you add a custom shelf lift to a lower cabinet so it can hold a stand mixer, you simply have to lift the shelf to access the appliance. The shelf locks into place, and the ensemble is ready to use at hip height. When you're done, a soft-close feature lowers the mixer back into the cabinet. Custom stand mixer hook storage (in which specialty hooks can hold mixer attachments) is another fun feature that KitchenAid promoted on TikTok. Other bespoke cabinet alterations by homeowners include custom knife block storage integrated into cabinet drawers, toe-kick drawers below cabinetry for storing pans, and, of course, the countertop cabinet that stylishly stores your kitchen appliances: the beloved appliance garage.

Whether or not custom cabinetry is a good idea for your home will depend on a few factors. The amount of existing storage space, the size of your kitchen, your personal needs, and the demands of local buyers could all sway your decision. For example, you might consider adding bespoke kitchen cabinet features as a budget-friendly way to organize your kitchen if you don't have a pantry. This could boost the functionality of your space and appeal to buyers if you plan to sell. Given Zillow's trend forecast, it's possible that you could see a good return on investment on custom cabinets since homeowners will likely want unique features in 2026. Additionally, for kitchens with a lot of unused space, adding custom storage cabinets can fill awkward gaps and make dead space usable.

Not every addition will be functional for your home, however. Appliance garages, while great for hiding larger items, may not be ideal for small kitchens. To incorporate them, you have to sacrifice valuable prep space on your countertop. Similarly, a custom stand mixer drawer may not be worth it for someone who rarely uses a mixer. In fact, dedicating a cabinet to any one appliance could be detrimental in a small kitchen with already-limited storage space. Another consideration is that some custom cabinets require greater upfront costs. Since buyer preferences fluctuate, we can't be certain that every bespoke cabinet will be a solid long-term investment.