A kitchen renovation is one of the most costly projects to tackle in your home, so project managing is crucial — and that includes being obsessive about the finishes that’ll make your kitchen feel like home. But with a new year of aesthetics to look forward to in 2026, you’ll want to avoid materials that’ll age quickly.
I reached out to a handful of design pros to uncover their hot takes on which flashy kitchen trends are rapidly fading. Below, I’m highlighting their best advice on which countertops, backsplashes, and hardware finishes to avoid — plus, a few options that they believe are here to stay.
3 Materials That Designers Are Done With in 2026
From controversial countertop materials to hardware finishes, these are the kitchen finishes designers hope to see a whole lot less of in 2026.
3 Kitchen Finishes You Won’t Regret
If you have any of the above in your kitchen already and you love it, we won’t yuck your yum! But if you’re planning a kitchen renovation in 2026, try one (or all!) of these next three materials instead for a fresh and timely look.
