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Häfele UK’s Homes for Living 2026 research reveals a clear shift towards neutral palettes, natural materials and greater confidence with colour. Texture and carefully chosen finishing touches are also becoming increasingly influential.

One of the clearest trends we’re seeing is a move towards softer, warmer neutrals. Beige, cream and cashmere tones have increased in popularity from 14% to 16% since 2023, making them the joint most desired kitchen door colours alongside white. At the same time, the cool greys that have dominated kitchen design for much of the past decade are beginning to fall away, with both light and dark grey finishes declining in popularity.

So, while customers are still choosing timeless schemes, timeless no longer has to mean cool or minimalist. We’re seeing people gravitate towards kitchens that feel warmer, more relaxed and more reflective of their personality.

Designers can bring these schemes to life by layering finishes and materials. Brushed and matt gold handles – such as those in our Amberley, Up and Shetland ranges – add warmth, while the Minerva Caramel Crunch worktop and decorative splashbacks, including Häfele’s gloss marble finish, introduce depth and texture.

Texture takes centre stage

Texture is becoming just as important as colour, with homeowners increasingly favouring natural materials and tactile finishes. Wood and wood-effect cupboard doors have seen the strongest growth since 2023, rising from 8% to 13%, while natural or unfinished wood have increased to 20%.

Granite, marble and marble-effect worktops are the joint most desired options at 16%, followed closely by wood and wood-effect at 15%. This is about creating kitchens with personality through materials as much as colour. People are looking for subtle ways to move away from cooler schemes without feeling they’re taking a significant design risk.

To help achieve this, designers could use timber-effect handles like those from our Venus, Eros, Wilton and End Grain ranges to reinforce the warmth of natural cabinetry. For those who want to extend the look to their internal storage, walnut-textured Accent baskets in our Utensio range offer the perfect solution, with even the hidden details contributing to a cohesive premium aesthetic.

We provide high quality timber worktops in five different woods, which can be teamed with wooden splashbacks to create a waterfall look to add height and enhance the sense of luxury.

In our Homes for Living research, more than a third (37%) of homeowners said they have been brave with colour choices and are pleased with the results, up from just 17% in 2023, while almost four in 10 said they’ve previously played safe and would choose something bolder next time. Nearly four in 10 admitted they would like a more colourful kitchen but ultimately stick with neutrals, while a third worry colourful kitchens may quickly date.

That’s reflected in the growing popularity of more flexible updates. The proportion of homeowners using accessories to keep their kitchen on trend has risen from 35% to 44%, while 51% would consider upgrading part of their kitchen rather than undertaking a full renovation.

For many customers, colour doesn’t have to come from the cabinetry. It can be introduced through carefully selected details that can evolve over time.

For example, statement appliances such as the Rayburn Ranger in Sunshine, Marmalade or Tomato act as an eye-catching way of bringing colour into the kitchen. Decorative splashbacks also play a role, like the Pink Scallop finish in our decorative splashback range. Handles are a great opportunity to bring out personality, with ranges like Encanto, which offers a multitude of colour options.

That’s where the designer’s role becomes so important. Customers may arrive with inspiration from social media, magazines or TV, but they rely on professional expertise to bring their ideas together.

By understanding where a customer wants longevity, and where they’re comfortable introducing more personality, designers can create kitchens that feel distinctive and considered without losing the reassurance of a timeless overall look.