The Kitchen Layout That's Going To Be Huge In 2026 For Its Functionality

Many people are familiar with the 2003 movie Cheaper By The Dozen, starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. This charming story about a married couple raising 12 children was based on the real-life experiences of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. A renowned psychologist and efficiency expert in her day, Lillian didn't cook herself, so it's ironic that she was the person who invented the concept of the kitchen triangle in the early 1900s. Today, households and kitchens function much differently than back then, with multiple cooks, busy schedules, and a variety of appliances and gadgets. That's why in 2026, the concept of kitchen zones — dedicated areas for prepping, cooking, cleaning, and storing — is being built on the foundation of the classic kitchen work triangle design to create a more functional kitchen for today's homeowners. 

With this new approach, kitchen design is more about creating strategic areas for specific tasks, like coffee bars, appliance garages, and baking areas. According to interior designer Sarah Robertson from Studio Dearborn, via House Beautiful, "The kitchen work triangle is a consideration, but definitely just the starting point for us." Today, homeowners have larger kitchens with more appliances, and designers are less concerned about people having to take a few extra steps. Robertson points out, "Beyond the work triangle, we consider who is using the kitchen, cooking style, traffic patterns, the household makeup, their ages and abilities, entertaining styles, natural light, access to the outdoors ... and then we also want to consider how all of that may change over time!" 

If you're looking for ideas for your kitchen remodel, you might consider taking expert advice from designers like Robertson. In her explanation of why kitchen zones are a design trend that will be big in 2026, she goes on to say that designers "tend to think about the overall kitchen space in terms of zones, and how those zones interact, overlap, and work together." Integrated zones can make your kitchen more functional; for example, a food prep area that's separate from the cooking zone allows two people to work without getting in each other's way. It can also make cleanup easier because you're not all over the kitchen. 

Appliance garages are another kitchen zone idea that can enhance the design of modern kitchens. If your kitchen has enough room for one, it can help free up countertop space and make it easier to declutter. Dedicated beverage stations, such as coffee nooks, smoothie stations, and cocktail bars, are also appearing in kitchen designs because they make it easy to get drinks without disrupting the cooking or cleaning areas.

As designers prioritize functions like food prep and storage over the number of steps between the stove, fridge, and sink, work zones will continue to enhance kitchen design. The result is that homeowners can design kitchens around their lifestyles and habits.