Trends come and go, but your kitchen should be designed to withstand the test of time. From color selections to appliances and plumbing fixtures, there are several key decisions that kitchen designers help address during a kitchen remodel. Keep reading to learn what kitchen trends you may want to avoid (or simply not over-indulge in), with beautiful, practical alternatives from real The Designery projects.

Key takeaways:

  • Most kitchen trends to avoid address safety, cleaning, or resale.

  • White cabinets and open shelves are great design choices, but they last longer when incorporated with intention.

  • Features like pot fillers and microwaves don’t make the best use of the area around your range.

Kitchen trends to avoid in your 2026 remodel

“Avoid” may be a strong word. With a strong vision, you and a designer can pull off practically anything. Still, exercise caution around these features. 

1. All white kitchens with matte black hardware.

This is a particular type of black and white kitchen, not merely the sum of two parts. It’s stark, with barely any deviation from its monochrome color scheme. More importantly, it doesn’t stand up to real life well and lacks the authenticity of a personalized, kitchen design. 

Try this instead: Warm up whites and add texture.

White is a timeless cabinet color. To prevent it from aging like a bygone trend, try some warmth and texture. A unique piece of stone, a brass fixture, and a warmer undertone set things up nicely for the next decade or two.

 

2. Integrating the microwave into the cabinetry above the range.

This was a trend years ago that many of us simply got used to. Installing the microwave above the range was a custom, even upscale, feature at one point. However, this might reduce what we get out of our ventilation system. And as we’ll continue to explore, reaching over burners in use isn’t the best option we have when given a choice.

Try this instead: Appliance garages and butler’s pantries. 

It’s perfectly understandable to want a microwave off the counter and integrated into the cabinetry. An appliance garage is perfect for this. A cabinet door slides or rolls away to reveal your smaller appliances, including the microwave. 

A butler’s pantry is another great spot for these gadgets. The new upscale small appliance solutions keep them totally out of sight.

 

3. Row after row of open shelving.

A well-appointed open shelf is the perfect idea to break up large, solid walls of cabinets. But when we add too many open spaces, we often don’t end up with the mise en place purpose they serve in pro kitchens, and miss out on prime real estate for purposeful organization and display. Plus, you risk dust and cluttered items that turn it into a maintenance hassle. 

Try this instead: Glass front cabinets.

Stay inspired to keep items organized and get an open look with some glass-front upper cabinets. It creates appealing displays while adding a dynamic, reflective surface.

 

4. Pot fillers.

Another luxurious trend turned inefficient relic, pot fillers no longer add value to kitchen remodels. People who currently love theirs can keep it, but don’t forget to inspect its condition occasionally. The tiniest leaks can go undetected and cause major damage to walls and cabinets. Not to mention, you still have to walk that water to the sink once the pasta is done.

Try this instead: Custom tile and high-powered hoods.

A well-planned kitchen triangle will make walking that water no big deal. If you’re finally saying goodbye to the pot filler and the microwave, you have space for something better now. An intricate, textural kitchen backsplash and upgraded ventilation system will stretch the satisfaction you get from a remodel.

Anything’s possible with a professional kitchen designer. 

You don’t have to keep up with or avoid any trend when planning a new kitchen. A designer helps you meet every mark in terms of quality, lifestyle, budget, and more. From quality cabinets and custom appliance finishes to backsplashes and countertops, we have everything you need under one roof. 

“We are extremely satisfied and overjoyed with our brand new, fully functional kitchen. We will use the Designery again when we’re ready to upgrade bathrooms.”

Michelle, The Designery client 

 

Book your free consultation today to begin planning. 

 

 

FAQ: Kitchen trends to avoid in 2026

 

Why is an over-range microwave a bad idea?

It can weaken ventilation, increasing grease buildup. It’s also a hazard to reach over when burners are in use, and it doesn’t have the look a modern custom kitchen demands. Integrating a microwave into your kitchen island or creating an appliance garage are better solutions.

 

Are open shelves in kitchens a bad idea?

Yes and no. One or two open shelves can improve the flow and design of a kitchen, making it look more spacious. However, replacing all or most upper cabinets with open shelving hurts resale. Buyers want hidden storage. Homeowners also find them to be a maintenance hassle.

 

Is a pot filler worth it in a kitchen remodel?

For most, no. If you’re cooking volume and have a drain at or very near the range, it can be a benefit. This usually only applies to commercial kitchens. The average homeowner will find that a rarely-used leaky pot filler is more of a burden than a benefit.

 

Is a black and white kitchen dated in 2026?

A specific, pared-down version is. Cool, bright white cabinets with black hardware and little dimension elsewhere are characteristic of the 2010s. You can still have a black and white kitchen today, but adding features that have texture and warmth keeps it from looking like the older version.