2026 Kitchen Design Trends: What Homeowners in Apple Valley & the Twin Cities Are Choosing

As 2026 unfolds, Twin Cities homeowners are moving beyond white-everything kitchens and choosing warm woods, hidden pantries, and smart appliances that disappear into the space. Home design trends are always evolving, and more often than not, they show up in the kitchen.

From pastel appliances to groovy orange countertops, sleek stainless steel everything to farmhouse-inspired style, each era has its own design ethos. Crisp whites, floating shelves, and open concepts have dominated kitchen design for the past decade. However, current trends are moving toward bolder choices, with homeowners favoring splashes of color, hand-made and artisan materials, and endless customization.

Keep reading for the 8 key trends you’ll see this year—and how they can make your kitchen smarter, more beautiful, and more investible. And if you’re ready to explore products and finishes in person, stop by our South Metro showroom in Apple Valley to chat with our incredible team!

8 Key Trends for 2026

Warm Wood Finishes
Wood is making a major comeback! In particular, white oak and walnut cabinets are more popular than ever. We love the warm tones, texture, and natural patterns that wood grain brings.

Two-Tone Cabinetry
Dual-tone cabinets remain on-trend in kitchen design. This style is ideal because it creates contrast, visual interest, and the opportunity for mixing materials, such as paint and stain.

Hidden Pantries, Sculleries, & Appliance Garages
Elevated storage is the name of the game! From hidden pantries to sculleries to butler’s pantries to appliance garages, integrated organization keeps tools at the ready and messes out of sight.

Large-Format Surfaces & Cambria Quartz
We’re all busier than ever; ease of maintenance and durability matter. Design technology has grown exponentially, and engineered materials such as Cambria Quartz and large-format countertops not only look incredible but also hold up to daily use.

Panel-Ready & Integrated Appliances
If you prefer a clean, uncluttered space, then you’ll love panel-ready and integrated appliances. Instead of standing out, these appliances disappear and blend into the cabinets.

Large Islands with Seating & Multi-Task Layout
Islands are the center of contemporary kitchen design; day-to-day life happens around them. Current island trends are oversized (two even at times!), eat-in, hosting-ready, and specialty-task oriented.

Layered LED Lighting & Mixed-Metal Hardware
The most dynamic spaces offer a balance of form and function. Layered lighting combines visually appealing elements, such as pendant accents, with task-specific lighting. Mixed metal hardware and finishes also offer the opportunity to personalize your home.

Sustainable & Aging-in-Place Design
Aging is unavoidable; shouldn’t our homes be equipped for what’s coming? Sustainable, aging-in-place design sets you up for success no matter what physical needs may arise.

THREE TREND DEEP DIVES

Expanded Kitchen Islands
It’s a cliché for a reason: islands are the heart of the modern kitchen. Whether you’re hustling through the morning routine, enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch, tackling a cookie-baking marathon, or hosting a holiday party, islands are a kitchen MVP. One element we love most about islands is their flexibility. No matter your unique interests or needs, there is an island feature that will serve you. Here are a few examples:

• A lift to pull out and hide away your heavy-duty stand mixer
• Built-in microwaves and warming drawers for home bakers
• Organized pull-outs for trash, recycling, and compost
• A hub for charging various electronics and giving them a home
• Eat-in seating, from stools to integrated tables to custom banquettes
• Beverage bars for grabbing drinks on the go
• Beer taps, wine fridges, and cocktail mixing tool storage
• Shelves for storing and displaying cookbook collections
• Coffee stations with top-of-the-line barista equipment
• Display area for heirlooms, collections, or dishware
• Prep station with sink, cutting boards, and scrap garbage

Customized Storage Solutions
When you boil it down to the essentials, a kitchen is nothing without storage. Cabinets are the building blocks that create your space, and their level of organization can make or break its functionality. When it comes to kitchen storage trends, what’s old is new again. Traditional butler’s pantries, sculleries, prep kitchens, and hidden appliance garages are incredibly popular with homeowners right now. These spaces borrow from classic design elements and reinvent them to reflect modern hosting needs. For example, a butler’s pantry may still display fine China and dishware, but it could also include a custom bar with a wine fridge, cocktail-making tools, or even beer taps or an espresso station. Sculleries have also been reimagined as hardworking prep kitchens with everything you need to cook and clean up, but hidden from guests! Here are a few more custom kitchen storage ideas:

• Main floor or separate wine cellars with tasting rooms
• Every kind of appliance garage you could dream up: coffee/smoothie bar, baking station, homemade pasta-making area, air fryer, toaster oven, pressure cooker storage, or stand mixer pull-out
• Pantry snack station for big after-school appetites
• A costco door with easy garage access (less hauling heavy things!)
• Cleaning products storage with a vacuum charging spot
• Breakfast bar with cereal dispensers, toaster, and coffee station

Safety-Proofing with Universal Design
As aging in place grows in popularity, more homeowners are looking to integrate safety and accessible design features into their homes. Because kitchens are high-traffic areas that depend on functionality, universal design becomes essential over time. Whether your priority is maintaining independence, enjoying cooking or baking, hosting family and friends of all ages, or accommodating a new disability, accessible finishes will serve you well. Here are a few more safety-proofing ideas with universal design:

• Install bar pulls or other grip-friendly hardware
• Incorporate task lighting and motion-sensor lighting in high-traffic areas
• Add a range pot filler to avoid carrying heavy pots of water
• Consider an induction cooktop, which only gets warm when in contact with metal
• Make use of pull-out storage whenever possible for ease of access
• Keep pathways wide to allow for safe movement
• Choose multiple countertop heights to accommodate cooks of all abilities and sizes

What It Means for You in Apple Valley
If your South Metro Twin Cities home was built between 2000 and 2020, it may be time for a design refresh! Whether your space is feeling dated, cramped, inefficient, or worn out, our team can help you navigate current kitchen design trends while staying true to your style. Our Apple Valley Showroom has everything you need to plan your remodel, from cabinets to countertops to hardware to plumbing samples. We also have fabulous in-house design and installation teams who know this industry inside and out. Customers are welcome to walk in and explore our showroom anytime, or you can schedule a complimentary design session or home consultation to learn more about how we can make your plans a reality.

5-Step Planning Checklist

• Set budget & goals (style, function, longevity)
• Choose your primary surfaces (wood tone, countertops)
• Map your layout for today AND 10 years from now
• Select lighting/hardware early—these finish the look
• Consult a pro like The Cabinet Store + Culina Design for a custom build/execution

QUICK KITCHEN REMODELING FAQ:

Are large kitchen islands still trending?
YES. Bigger is definitely still better when it comes to kitchen islands. So much so that double-islands are a major kitchen remodeling trend.

Which countertop materials are best for busy households?
It depends on your needs and preferences, but we highly recommend engineered Quartz for its durability and gorgeous design options. Our fabulous partners at Cambria Quartz are even locally made in Minnesota!

Can appliances truly disappear into cabinets?
Absolutely. Kitchen technology grows by leaps and bounds these days; your mom’s clunky paneled appliances are a thing of the past!

When should I start planning if I want a 2026 installation?
There’s no time like the present! Get the ball rolling and put dates on the calendar now, before other plans get in the way.

Start Making Your 2026 Kitchen Plans Now

2026 is about blending timeless style with intelligent design. If you’re finally ready to tackle that remodel and create the kitchen of your dreams, now is the time to start planning! Our Apple Valley team would love to help you make your ideas a reality – contact us today.