Kitchens have long been the heart of the home, but in 2026 their role is expanding. They’re now where families do homework, join work-from-home calls, share casual drinks, and host friends, making functionality and style more important than ever.
This year presents a rare chance to finally tackle long-delayed upgrades. Remodeling activity is expected to surge, fueled by cash-out equity and more accessible financing, a trend Builder Online calls a “thaw in home investment.”
Even small, thoughtful additions can transform a kitchen, improving both daily life and overall design. Now is the time to combine financial opportunity with the latest trends and technology to create a space that’s efficient, beautiful, and uniquely yours.
What’s Trending in Kitchens This Year
1. Open, Multi-Purpose Layouts
Kitchens are now serving as social hubs, workspaces, and entertainment centers. Open layouts make rooms feel larger and more inviting, while practical, stylish features keep them efficient and visually appealing.
2. Technology-Forward Kitchens
Smart kitchens are becoming standard rather than a luxury. Touchless faucets, hot-and-cold water dispensers, and integrated prep stations make tasks faster, cleaner, and more enjoyable.
3. Personalization and Expressive Finishes
Minimalism and all-white kitchens are being replaced with earthy tones, layered textures, and unique finishes. Homeowners are expressing personality through designer hardware and accessories that add both style and function.
4. Warm, Layered Metals
Brushed gold, champagne bronze, soft brass, and warm nickel add depth and visual interest. Paired with natural stone and soft textures, these finishes make kitchens modern and inviting.
Functional Upgrades That Combine Style and Convenience
Touchless Smart Faucets
Smart technology makes everyday kitchen tasks easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Faucets with modern innovations help keep your space cleaner while improving efficiency and usability.
Touchless faucets, like Delta’s Coranto and Cassidy, use intuitive sensor technology to let you wash hands, fill pots, and prep ingredients without touching handles. They combine functionality with sleek, sculptural designs that elevate your kitchen’s style.
For the ultimate hands-free experience, the Delta Trinsic VoiceIQ faucet adds voice control on top of touchless convenience. With simple voice commands, you can fill a pot, start water flow, or pause it without ever touching the faucet.
Discover the Best Touchless Kitchen Faucets to Upgrade Your Space in our blog!
Prep Sinks
Modern kitchens are all about efficiency, and a well-designed prep sink can turn your sink area into a true command center. Integrated workstations combine deep bowls with built-in accessories like cutting boards, colanders, and trays, allowing you to prep, rinse, and drain all in one space. This setup maximizes countertop space, reduces clutter, and keeps cooking and cleanup streamlined.
The Elkay Crosstown 18-Gauge Workstation Sink is a standout example, featuring a single deep bowl with included accessories that fit seamlessly for prep and organization. Its stainless steel construction is durable and stylish, while the integrated design allows homeowners to cover the sink with tools when needed, creating a multifunctional workspace without sacrificing aesthetic.
Pot Fillers
Pot fillers have become a sought-after feature for home cooks in 2026. They allow you to fill large stockpots or kettles directly on the stove, eliminating trips to the sink and reducing spills. They also draw attention to the cooking area and complement other fixtures for a polished, professional look that guests notice.
Options like the Delta Contemporary and Brizo Litze combine smooth operation, durable construction, and a graceful swing arm, making it a stylish, high-impact upgrade.
Air Switches
Traditional wall switches for garbage disposals can be bulky, awkward to reach, and visually disruptive to a kitchen design. Air switches replace the clunky toggle with a small, elegant button mounted on the sink or countertop, keeping your workspace clean, modern, and safe.
Products like the InSinkErator SinkTop Switch Dual Outlet in Satin Nickel or Chrome and White Buttons offer sleek, low-profile control for your disposal. Installing an air switch is a simple upgrade that enhances both style and functionality, keeping your kitchen streamlined while maintaining easy, safe access to your garbage disposal.
Knobs and Pulls
Cabinet hardware is often overlooked in a kitchen upgrade, yet they’re used more than the dishwasher or faucet. Swapping out knobs and pulls is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to refresh your kitchen look. With countless finishes, metals, and designs available, you can create a cohesive aesthetic, introduce subtle contrasts, or mix styles for a layered, custom feel that elevates the space.
Collections like Brizo’s Frank Lloyd Wright and Rook deliver the perfect balance of everyday durability and sophisticated design, turning what might seem like a small change into a high-impact upgrade that you’ll interact with every day.
Soap Dispensers
Washing your hands is essential for hygiene, but bulky soap bottles can clutter the countertop and interrupt aesthetics. A built-in dispenser keeps the space tidy while offering a polished, uniform look that can seamlessly coordinate with other fixtures and finishes.
Sleek designs and durable finishes turn a simple everyday task into a small luxury, reflecting the trend toward functional yet beautiful upgrades. Options like the Grohe Cosmopolitan and Brizo Artesso are perfect for homeowners to combine convenience, hygiene, and cohesive design without sacrificing space or style.
Flanges and Strainers
Small details can make a big difference in both function and style, and sink hardware is no exception. Upgrading to a high-quality disposal flange or basket strainer ensures smooth drainage, protects against wear, and maintains a clean, polished look around your sink.
The Blanco Disposal Flange provides a sleek, durable transition between your sink and garbage disposal, complementing modern fixtures while resisting corrosion. For sinks without a disposal, the Blanco 3‑in‑1 Basket Strainer combines a drain stopper, strainer, and overflow seal in one versatile piece, keeping water flowing smoothly and countertops free from clutter.
Final Thoughts
2026 is the perfect year to upgrade your kitchen, with deferred remodels underway and financing more accessible than ever. Modern kitchens are hubs for daily life, where style, efficiency, and usability matter equally. Thoughtful plumbing upgrades elevate both function and design, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable.
By combining the latest trends, smart technology, and carefully chosen products, your kitchen remodel can be both a practical investment and a space you’ll love. Plumbing Deals makes it easy to find high-quality, stylish plumbing upgrades that suit your design vision and daily needs!
