9 Kitchen Trends to Skip in 2026

Some looks that felt fresh a few years ago are already starting to feel dated, and others will cost you down the line when you’re ready to sell or simply ready for a change. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles this year, here are the trends worth thinking twice about before you commit.

Kitchen Design Choices to Reconsider for Your L.A. Home Remodel

Here’s a look at nine of the trends starting to lose their shine, plus what to do instead.

All-White Everything

The all-white kitchen had a long run, but homeowners are starting to want more warmth and personality. A kitchen with white cabinets, white countertops, white backsplash, and white walls can feel sterile and cold. Bring in wood tones, soft greens, warm taupes, or a contrasting island color to add depth.

High-Gloss Lacquer Cabinets

Glossy lacquer cabinets show every fingerprint and smudge, and the ultra-shiny finish reads as very specific to the early 2020s. Matte and satin finishes are more forgiving and tend to age better.

Open Shelving Everywhere

A few open shelves can look great, but replacing all upper cabinets with open shelving means more dusting, more visual clutter, and less storage. If you love the look, keep it limited to one wall or a small section near the stove.

Ultra-Trendy Tile Patterns

Bold geometric backsplashes, fish-scale tiles in unusual colors, and busy patterned floors photograph beautifully, but they’re often the first thing homeowners want to replace a few years later. Save the bold patterns for accessories you can swap out cheaply.

Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors had their moment, especially in pantries and laundry rooms off the kitchen. They don’t seal well, they’re noisy, and the farmhouse-leaning aesthetic is fading. Pocket doors or pretty hinged doors give you better function and a longer style life.

Industrial Pipe Shelving and Hardware

Exposed pipes, raw metal brackets, and ultra-industrial hardware felt rugged and modern for a while. Now they’re starting to look heavy and tired. Lean toward simpler, more refined hardware in finishes like brushed brass, polished nickel, or matte black.

Edison Bulbs

Bare Edison bulbs over the island became shorthand for “modern farmhouse,” and they’re now firmly on the way out. Choose pendants with shades that direct light where you need it, in shapes that feel current without being trendy.

Tuscan and Heavy Mediterranean Looks

Heavy ornate cabinets, dark-stained wood, and ornate tile murals tied to the Tuscan trend from years past tend to weigh a kitchen down. If your kitchen still has these elements, even a partial refresh can dramatically modernize the space.

Tiny Subway Tile Grout in Dark Colors

White subway tile is timeless, but pairing it with thick black grout is a very specific look that’s already cycling out. Use a soft grey or off-white grout for a cleaner, more lasting result.