Kitchen design choices we are fitting in 2026

At Falcon Close in Sandy the choice was soft grey units with slim black handles. At High Street in Henlow it was a dark green shaker kitchen with a Belfast sink. In Milton Keynes it was matt black units with a white worktop and metro tiles. Very different looks, but the common thread is a calm base with one strong element.

Herringbone is everywhere at the moment, on tiled splashbacks and on floors, and it works because it adds pattern without adding colour. Large-format tiles and resin floors suit a more minimal look. At Gaunts Way in Letchworth an epoxy resin floor runs through the kitchen and utility room for a seamless finish.

Most people want somewhere to sit and talk while someone cooks. Where there is room, that means an island, and where there is not, a peninsula or breakfast bar. The other request we hear is to get the washing machine out of the kitchen, which is why utility rooms are now often part of the brief. See our page on utility rooms.

• Layout before finish. A good working triangle and enough worktop beside the hob matter more than colour.
• Storage. Deep drawers, a tall larder unit and a proper place for bins save daily frustration.
• Lighting. Plan task lighting over worktops and mood lighting separately.
• Power. Put sockets where you actually use appliances, and add extra for an island.

A typical full kitchen renovation takes two to three weeks once the units are on site. Read more on our kitchens page or ask for a quote.