Kitchen doors for IKEA Metod with custom fronts in any colour or oak from Sankt George

Colours & materials
Kitchen trends 2026
Sankt George

Kitchen trends 2026 move away from the temporary and towards what feels genuine. The kitchen becomes a place where materials, colour and craftsmanship are allowed to take centre stage, where every detail contributes to a calm and cohesive whole. After several years of restrained expressions and neutral palettes, kitchen trends 2026 open up for more personality. Colours become deeper, materials more alive and forms more classical. The result is kitchens that feel both timeless and contemporary at the same time.
At Sankt George this development is clearly visible. Interest in custom kitchen doors in bespoke colours is growing rapidly, while light oak and stained oak continue to play a central role in many projects. At its core, kitchen trends 2026 are about balance. The balance between colour and natural materials. Between classical lines and modern proportions. Between craftsmanship and architecture.

Classic frame doors and elegant proportions

One of the clearest kitchen trends in 2026 is the continued popularity of classic frame doors. This timeless construction has long been a natural choice in many kitchens and continues to be so moving forward. At the same time we see how the frame door evolves in new directions. In addition to the more traditional profile, slimmer frames have become an increasingly common element in modern kitchen design. They give the kitchen a lighter and more architectural expression, where lines become clearer and materials are allowed to stand out. Frame doors with frames of 25 mm and 10 mm create an expression that feels both classic and modern. They retain the structure and craftsmanship of the frame door but with a more discreet and elegant proportion. This type of door works equally well in turn-of-the-century apartments as in modern homes where the kitchen forms a natural part of the social spaces.

Kitchen doors in your own colour

Another strong kitchen trend in 2026 is personal colour choices. Standard colours are increasingly replaced by carefully selected tones that reflect the architecture, light and materials of the home. More and more people choose to paint their kitchen doors in their own NCS colour. The result is a kitchen that feels more considered and more integrated into the home. The colour is adapted to the room’s light, the tone of the flooring and the materials already present in the house. Soft neutral tones continue to be popular, but at the same time we see more people daring to choose deeper and more characterful colours. Shades that were previously mainly seen in living rooms and bedrooms are now also finding their place in the kitchen. Colour is no longer just a surface. It becomes part of the identity of the room and helps create a kitchen that feels both personal and timeless.

Yellow kitchens and green kitchens

Among the kitchen trends of 2026 there are two colour families that clearly stand out: yellow kitchens and green kitchens. Yellow kitchens return in new, softer shades. Butter yellow, warm vanilla and muted ochre tones add warmth and optimism to the room. Combined with natural stone, brass or light oak, the kitchen gains an expression that feels both bright and welcoming. Green kitchens also continue to evolve and deepen. Olive greens, sage tones and darker forest green shades create a calm and natural atmosphere. Green kitchen doors work particularly well together with wood, stone and other natural materials. Together these colours show how kitchen trends 2026 move towards a warmer and more nature-inspired palette where the kitchen becomes a harmonious part of the home.

Light oak and stained oak

Wood continues to play a central role in kitchen trends 2026, but the expression evolves and becomes more refined. Light oak remains one of the most sought-after materials in modern kitchens. It highlights the natural structure of the wood and gives the kitchen a soft Scandinavian feeling. In bright spaces it creates a warm and natural contrast to painted kitchen doors. At the same time we see growing interest in stained oak in deeper tones. Smoked oak, dark stained oak and other shades add weight and character to the kitchen without feeling heavy. When wood is combined with painted fronts a balance arises between the natural and the architectural. It is precisely this balance that makes wood such a natural part of kitchen trends 2026.

Mixing materials and colours

One of the most interesting kitchen trends in 2026 is how different materials and colours are combined within the same kitchen. Instead of a completely uniform expression, many choose to work with contrasts. Painted kitchen doors meet oak veneer. Kitchen islands receive their own colour. Wall cabinets and base cabinets can differ to create variation and rhythm in the space. This type of composition gives the kitchen a more architectural feeling. Materials interact with each other and create depth in the design. A kitchen might consist of green frame doors along the walls, a kitchen island in light or dark oak and worktops in natural stone. The combination creates an expression that feels both vibrant and thoughtfully designed.

Frequently asked questions about kitchen trends 2026

Which kitchen trends dominate in 2026?
Kitchen trends in 2026 are characterised by natural materials, personal colour choices and classic frame doors. Many choose kitchen doors in their own colour, often combined with light oak or stained oak. Slim frames and more architectural proportions are also a clear direction in modern kitchens.
Which colours are trending in kitchens in 2026?
The colour palette in kitchen trends 2026 moves towards warmer and more nature-inspired tones. Yellow kitchens in butter yellow and soft vanilla tones are appearing more frequently, while green kitchens in olive, sage and deeper forest green shades remain very popular. Many people also choose to paint their kitchen doors in a custom NCS colour for a more personal expression.
Are frame doors still modern?
Yes. Classic frame doors are one of the clearest kitchen trends in 2026. The difference compared to earlier years is that the frames are often slimmer and more elegant, giving the kitchen a lighter and more architectural expression. Slim frames work well both in modern homes and in more classic environments.
Are wooden kitchens still popular in 2026?
Yes. Wood is an important part of kitchen trends 2026. Light oak continues to be highly sought after in Scandinavian kitchens because it highlights the natural structure of the wood and creates a warm atmosphere. At the same time we see growing interest in stained oak in darker tones that add depth and character to the kitchen.
Can you mix colours and materials in the same kitchen?
Yes. Mixing materials and colours is a clear part of kitchen trends 2026. Many combine painted kitchen doors with wood veneer or allow the kitchen island to have a different colour than the rest of the kitchen. The combination creates more depth and makes the kitchen feel more personal and architectural.
How do you choose the right colour for a new kitchen?
When choosing a colour for the kitchen it is good to start from the light in the room, the tone of the flooring and the materials already present in the home. Many choose their own NCS colour to create a kitchen that suits their specific home. By combining colour with wood or natural stone the kitchen can achieve a more harmonious and timeless expression.