Kitchen trends 2026: what Montreal designers are already noticing
Every year, I travel the world to get inspired, find out what’s coming up and understand where design is heading. In 2025, I was lucky enough to go to Milan, to the world’s largest interior design show. It’s all about materials, finishes, colors, technologies and, above all… tomorrow’s trends. I go not only to observe, but also to exchange ideas. Several brands now invite me to take part in focus groups to discuss emerging trends, share my vision of the Quebec market and, above all, bring back to Quebec the best of what’s being done elsewhere. Because let’s face it: when it comes to design, Europe is often a few years ahead of us. And it’s high time we opened up a little more, and dared to do something other than the famous white kitchen we’ve seen over and over again.
As my traveling customers often tell me, they dream of spaces with soul. And that’s exactly what I aim to create. As an interior designer in Montreal, my role is to take my customers out of their comfort zone and design kitchens that reflect their image – warm, elegant and lively spaces where cooking, laughing and socializing are a pleasure.
My approach is always the same: daring without exaggeration. I like to imagine bold projects, with unexpected details, contrasting materials and color palettes that tell a story. It’s this search for balance between originality and coherence that makes my projects so distinctive. To discover some of my most recent creations, you can view my portfolio here.
Today, I’m sharing the kitchen trends of 2026, as observed, tested and adapted to Quebec reality. And like every year, certain trends from previous seasons continue: veined countertops, natural wood cabinetry and the return of polished chrome continue to be popular. These are timeless elements that fit in perfectly with the 2026 novelties.
For the curious, you can also consult my previous articles:
If you’re ready to trade in sanitized white for a kitchen with character, stay here. You might just want to get out your paintbrushes (or your designer).
And if you’d like us to work together on your project, write to me directly at info@locasdesign.com.
1st kitchen trend in 2026: Moody kitchens
The first major kitchen trend of 2026 is undoubtedly the return of dark “Moody” kitchens. This style, inspired by European interiors, relies on deep, enveloping hues: matte black, tobacco brown, forest green, petroleum blue, charcoal or even smoky taupe. These rich colors create a muted, elegant ambience full of character, a must-have for those who want modern kitchen design with a touch of personality.
But to achieve a true moody kitchen, you have to dare to go all the way. The secret isn’t to paint just the island or a dark wall. No. For the result to be harmonious and sophisticated, you need to treat the whole room in a dark palette: the cabinets, the walls, the counters, sometimes even the ceiling.
And no, it’s not true that dark makes a room smaller. It’s a myth that I spend my time deconstructing. What makes a room seem smaller is too strong a contrast between dark and light. So, if you put just one dark section in a white kitchen, you’ll create a “cut in half” effect that breaks the visual balance. Clearly, don’t try to cheat the moody look with just one dark touch, you’ll miss it and it won’t look chic at all, but rather a “badly assumed” effect.
A truly successful moody kitchen is one that is coherent, soft and enveloping. It often combines dark wood, veined stone countertops and subdued, directional lighting. Think accent lights, under-cabinet LED strips or warm wall sconces. It’s these contrasts of light, not color, that bring out the richness of the design.
It’s a trend that expresses boldness: we’re moving away from the fear of dark towards something more assertive, deeper and frankly more luxurious.
If you love this style and want to know everything about it, check out my full article:
The moody style in interior design and how to create it at home
2nd kitchen trend in 2026: “Vanilla” kitchens – the return of soft, creamy tones
After years of pure white, vanilla is the new kitchen trend for 2026. Warm whites, buttery shades and creamy tones are making a comeback. The modern 2026 kitchen is no longer cold or minimalist: it’s enveloping, soothing and deeply comforting. Forget the clinical white of the 2010s and return to milky, sandy, eggshell or light honey tones.
This style blends perfectly with revisited classic and country kitchen designs. Imagine fine-molded doors, patinated brass handles, a beige zellige backsplash and a few light wood accessories: it’s timeless elegance, but with a contemporary twist. The vanilla kitchen creates a bright, soft ambience, ideal for Quebec homes where winter light needs warmth.
Designer tip: to keep your kitchen from looking bland, introduce subtle contrast: a medium-wood island, a textured backsplash, or a herringbone floor. It’s all about rich tones and layered materials. It’s all in the details! This kitchen design trend is aimed at those who like bright kitchens, but want to avoid the “hospital” look. In 2026, the emphasis is on softness, but with relief, life and real visual depth.
3rd kitchen trend in 2026: Decorative panel doors
For years, kitchens were dominated by flat doors. The ultra-minimalist look – no molding, no frame, no detail – has long ruled modern kitchen design. It was beautiful, uncluttered, but eventually we tired of it. In 2026, it’s time for more relief, more texture and, above all, more personality.
Decorative panel doors are making a comeback, and it’s a trend we’re already seeing taking hold in high-end kitchens in Montreal. Inspired by Parisian lofts and European apartments, they add a refined, elegant and nostalgic touch. We’re talking fine moldings, ultra-thin shaker profile frames, or vertically grooved wood panels that recall craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The effect is both visual and sensory. These facades create a play of light and shadow that completely transforms the room. On matte shades such as taupe, sage green or charcoal, the reliefs subtly stand out and add incredible depth to the kitchen renovation.
This 2026 kitchen design trend also marks a change in the way spaces are conceived: we dare to mix styles. A modern kitchen can very easily adopt decorative panel doors without falling into the country style. It’s this blend of structure, texture and modernity that makes all the difference.
In short, flat doors have had their moment, but now we want character. Decorative panel doors give kitchens a European soul and cachet, without compromising functionality or modernity.
4th kitchen trend in 2026: Painted patterned tiles as backsplash
Yes, you read that right: painted patterned tiles are making a comeback in 2026. And not the overly “perfect” versions we saw in the 2010s. We’re talking about original, hand-painted patterns, sometimes slightly irregular, like those seen in country houses in the South of France or in Mediterranean kitchens in the 2000s. This trend is making a comeback after an absence of over twenty years, and it’s finally breathing new life into kitchens that are too uniform.
These decorative tiles bring a warmth and authenticity that no quartz or glass backsplash can match. We want relief, patina, life. Each piece is unique, and that’s precisely what makes it so appealing. In 2026, modern kitchens allow themselves to be more whimsical: they dare to mix a bold pattern with a sober composition to create a balanced yet vibrant effect.
The secret to succeeding with this 2026 kitchen design trend is to let tile be the star. Pair it with matte cabinets, natural woods or soft colors like vanilla, olive green or slate blue. The idea is not to overload everything, but to bring a little history and warmth back into the home.
This type of backsplash is particularly popular in high-end kitchen renovations in Montreal, where customers are increasingly looking for personalized, long-lasting design elements. We want living spaces with soul, and painted patterned tiles embody exactly this spirit.
Beyond aesthetics, it’s also a practical trend: green is a versatile tone, easy to combine with trendy 2026 materials such as veined stone, quartz or metal. Wood, meanwhile, adds warmth and texture, softening the ambience and avoiding the overly clinical look too often seen in modern white kitchens.
In short, the combination of wood and green isn’t just a trend, it’s a way of thinking of the kitchen as a place of comfort, conviviality and inspiration. It’s a choice our customers love, and one that makes every project unique, bright and lively.
5th kitchen trend in 2026: The combination of wood and green
In 2026, we’re seeing a surge in the use of wood and green in kitchens. It’s not just a question of style: it’s a genuine invitation to reconnect with nature and create a warm, comfortable space. After years of cold, impersonal kitchens in ultra-bright white or too-light wood, this combination finally brings a sense of life and balance into the home.
Green, whether olive, sage or forest, harmonizes wonderfully with all shades of wood, whether light, medium or dark. It’s a color that adapts to every style, whether it’s a modern 2026 kitchen, a classic or a contemporary loft. Combined with natural wood, it creates an ambience reminiscent of the calm and serenity of nature, while remaining ultra-contemporary.
This palette is also particularly popular with my customers. Why? Because it makes a space welcoming and lively, while remaining elegant and timeless. It can be used on cabinets, islands, open shelves or even a coloured backsplash to create a coherent yet never monotonous effect.
In short, kitchen trends for 2026 mark a major shift away from cold minimalism towards more expressive, textured and personalized spaces.
Dark “moody” kitchens, vanilla tones, decorative panels, patterned tiles and the marriage of wood and green redefine what it means to have a modern 2026 kitchen – a space that’s alive, assertive and deeply human.
Do you dream of a unique, functional kitchen?
Tell me about your project. It will be my pleasure to guide you towards a kitchen that’s truly yours, elegant, durable and full of personality.
At Jessica Locas Design, we design high-end kitchens in Montreal that are built to last and adapted to your lifestyle. Whether it’s a turnkey renovation project in Montreal, or a remote virtual design as I recently did for a client in Chibougamau, my team and I are with you every step of the way: plans, 3D renderings, material selection, coordination with our trusted cabinetmakers and contractors.
