Have you already set some New Year’s Resolutions? Let us help you set some New Year’s Remodels! We’re ready to hold you accountable and make sure you get the best remodel for the best price and the least hassle. Not sure what kind of changes you want to make? We’ve got some insight into what will be hot in interior design in 2026, and we bet it will give you a few ideas.
Green Is In! Bring Nature’s Calm Right Into Your Remodel
Color trends are shifting in 2026, and green has firmly taken the lead. While blue has long been a go-to shade for cabinetry and accent walls, homeowners are now looking for something more naturally grounding. According to the National Association of Home Builders, green is one of their top color trends for 2026 with hues in:
- Hidden Gem, a smoky jade
- Midnight Garden, a deep, muted jade
- Warm Eucalyptus, naturally restorative and serene
Green also pairs well with a wide range of materials already trending in remodels, such as lighter wood tones, brushed brass, and textured tile. Think where you could apply a splash of green in a bold, full-cabinet finish or introduce it more subtly through tile or paint. Not sure where to feature greens in your space? Let us help you add a verdant depth and a sense of retreat to your everyday spaces.
Kitchen Changes: We’re Even Cooking With Color
We love helping people pick the perfect shade for any room, but taking color into the kitchen, primarily through new, painted cabinet doors is one of our favorites. You could see some bolder colors here, but you’re more likely to see a subdued palette, like an earthy or forest green so that the kitchen will feel more like a refuge in the home.
When it comes to fixtures to go along with your new, colorful kitchen, we’re swinging back to brassy fixtures and away from the matte blacks that have been popular the last few years. Matte blacks just show wear too quickly, but unlacquered metal fixtures will develop a beautiful, natural patina from use, giving your fixtures a unique appearance.
Even backsplashes are getting in on the act. We expect to see fewer pure white, “subway tile” backsplashes and, instead, start seeing more 1920s Art Deco styles. Many kitchens will skip the tile backsplash entirely and opt for matching the countertop materials. But just as colors grow bolder, neutral quartz is on the way out in favor of marble slabs with an emphasis on pronounced veins and other contrasts.
Wood cabinets never go out of style, but now we’re looking for ways to add individuality and personality. Take your basic wood cabinet, then add some custom design or millwork. Reeded doors, shiplap, nickel gap panels, and micro-shaker designs are all details that will help you make your storage anything but the same old cabinets.
Everything in the house, but especially in the kitchen, is moving toward more color, contrast, and drama. Are you ready?
Open Shelving in the Kitchen: Remodel With Clarity & Style
Open shelving isn’t disappearing in 2026, but it is being used in a more refined and intentional way. Instead of long stretches of open shelves replacing entire runs of upper cabinets, homeowners are embracing smaller, curated placements that feel architectural or gallery-esque rather than purely decorative. The focus is on creating thoughtful moments like shelving around a window, a single open section to break up cabinetry, or a minimal display paired with glass-front cabinets.
This shift comes from a desire to balance aesthetics with practicality. While open shelving still brings brightness and openness to the kitchen, many homeowners have learned that it works best when used sparingly to avoid clutter and maintenance issues. The result is a more restrained approach that keeps the light, airy feel people love, but with a cleaner, more functional layout.
Walls & Ceilings: A Total Renovation Makeover
Walls might have only sections of detailed millwork, but it’s just as likely they’ll cover whole walls and even ceilings.
Detailed millwork is the trend for 2026, doing away with years of square baseboards and trim. Straight Line expects to put in quite a bit of wainscot paneling, custom casings, and layered moldings.
If you’ve never heard of wainscoting before, don’t worry! Wainscoting has been around for centuries but is a bit baroque for the kind of minimalism that’s been in fashion for a while. Wainscoting is typically wood paneling, trim, or molding attached to a wall’s lower half or section. It’s usually finished in a different material to the upper section for contrast. It’s an amazing way to add character to a boring space, or you can combine creative wainscoting with paint or decorative details for an even more interesting appearance. Beadboard, shiplap, raised panel, flat panel, or overlay wainscoting combine beautifully with paint, wallpaper, or even textured walls to create spaces that feel luxurious.
Darker Wood Tones Are Making a Comeback
Darker wood tones are gaining major momentum in 2026, reflecting a broader shift toward interiors that feel grounded, warm, and full of character. While lighter woods had their moment, designers are now leaning into richer tones like walnut, deep-stained oak, and other dark timbers that bring depth and sophistication to a space. Vogue notes this return to natural wood kitchens and highlights the rise of freestanding wood pieces with “living finishes,” signaling a renewed appreciation for materials that age gracefully and feel authentic.
This trend also includes a growing interest in reclaimed and vintage woods, which introduce texture, patina, and a sense of history. If you’re looking to breathe new life into cabinetry, flooring, or statement millwork, darker woods offer a refined contrast to soft neutrals, stone, and the earthy greens trending for 2026. The result is a look that feels elevated yet timeless — perfect for homeowners drawn to interiors with substance and lasting appeal.
New Lighting Fixtures: Your Lightbulb Moment for Lighting
Over the last couple of decades, we’ve seen a big move toward open-plan homes. Innovative designers use light fixtures to give those spaces a sense of continuity while also defining discreet areas within the open space. Imagine matching ceiling light fixtures in the dining area that give way to different fixtures in the living area. Or picture a repeating pattern of light fixtures to be visually captivating while still keeping a cohesive feel for the overall home. You can also use groups of recessed lights to give certain portions of your home a warmer personality.
Layered on top of those existing lights, you’ll see function and aesthetics come together with LED strips built into cabinetry. They’re wonderful for keeping the light where you need it when working on the counters, but you can also leave them on for an ambient glow that keeps things looking modern without sacrificing usability.
Call Straight Line for a Designer’s Renovation
These are just a few of the design trends we’re excited to put into play in 2026. Have you been looking around your home and thinking it’s a bit drab? Or maybe you loved your previous look and just feel it’s time for a change? Whatever your reasons, our professional design consultants are ready to help your home look fresh, modern, and probably quite a bit more colorful. We’re ready to add some texture to your walls, kitchens, and bathrooms with new countertops, Art
Deco backsplashes, enhanced lighting, and so much more.
Book a free consultation so we can see your space and help you create a vision for it. Then we’ll invite you to our Gainesville/Alachua or Ocala showroom so you can browse our selection of high-quality kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops. There, you’ll meet with our experienced staff of designers and contractors. Together, we can choose the finest materials for your budget while still maintaining function, quality, and beauty.
If you’re ready to embrace 2026 and all its style, don’t wait! Contact Straight Line Construction today for your free quote and consultation.