Kitchen trends shouldn’t dictate every design decision, but they can offer inspiration for a room that needs to work hard every day. For 2027, designers are predicting a more personal, bespoke approach to kitchen design, building on the styles that defined 2026.
'Today, homeowners are moving away from the idea of the kitchen as a showroom and towards the kitchen as a true living space,' explains Jon de la Cruz of de la Cruz Interior Design. 'People are looking for comfort over perfection, warmth over minimalism, and furniture that serves multiple purposes.'
Statement islands, warm finishes, expressive details, and other elements that feed into the 'invisible kitchen' concept are still going strong in 2027, though this time with more intention. Homeowners are embracing rich materials and layered textures over all-white kitchens, but they’re doing so in ways that also make their lives and the way they move in this space easier and more intuitive.
Keep reading to see the 11 kitchen features that designers think people will be asking for – or at least yearning for – in 2027.
1. Built-in banquettes
Built-in banquettes have been a favourite among designers and homeowners for a while, and Jon says they’re not going anywhere in 2027. These seating areas solve the age-old problem of the disconnection felt while someone is sitting along a kitchen island, he explains.
'In many open-concept kitchens, the island and dining table sit parallel to one another, creating two long rows of seating,' Jon says. 'People sitting at the island often have their backs to the rest of the room, making conversation feel disconnected.' Creating a built-in banquette creates a more intimate, socially forward dining environment while using the space more efficiently.
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They’re permanent features, often with integrated storage, that add more functionality and character to a home. 'Much like the oversized kitchen island defined the last decade, I think built-in seating is becoming the next must-have feature because it combines comfort, practicality, and smart design,' Jon says.
2. Decorative lighting
Typical, builder-grade overhead lighting isn’t a thing in kitchens anymore in 2027, according to designers Michaela Sedlak of ODE Design and Alison Green of Élan Design House.
'Sconces, art-style picture lights, and other architectural lighting will become just as important if not more than pendant lights,' Michaela says, explaining that her clients desire warm kitchens with personality and soft ambient light rather than solely task lighting.
Overhead lighting isn’t going away, but those fixtures are becoming more decorative rather than traditional, adds Alison. There is no single main lighting source, but for 2027, mood lighting will be key. Small table lamps, wall sconces, and strip lighting behind shelves will create a more atmospheric environment.
3. Concealed organisation
'Clients continue to want kitchens that work harder behind the scenes,' notes Michaela. Integrated and customised storage, highly organised drawers, and concealed secondary workstations that disappear when not in use are very common asks. Not only do these additions make for a more beautiful, organised space, but they make using the kitchen more intuitive and a lot easier for homeowners.
4. Multiple kitchen zones
The kitchen work triangle has been on the out for a while now, and it isn’t changing in 2027. Kitchens will feature dedicated zones for cooking, entertaining, homework, coffee preparation, and cleanup, allowing multiple family members to use the space simultaneously.
These multifunctional spaces aren’t simply for cooking — they’re for bonding over meals, cultural recipe sharing, and casual eats. Zones allow for flexibility and reduces congestion.
5. Furniture-inspired pieces
Designer Tanya Smith-Shiflett expects homes in 2027 to embrace timeless, highly personalised design over short-lived trends. 'The features we expect clients to request most include furniture-inspired custom cabinetry with inset construction, natural wood finishes, and handcrafted details,' she explains.
Designer Stephanie Wiott shares this view. She’s already incorporating more dynamic cabinetry, unlacquered metals and architectural details rooted in traditional design into her projects. 'Clients are looking for warmth, character and a sense of permanence. They want cabinetry that looks and feels like furniture, rather than simply a room filled with cabinets.'
6. Statement islands
Kitchen islands have evolved from something big and functional to pieces that almost resemble furniture. Tanya calls them 'statement islands,' describing these rebranded features as the centrepieces of the home for cooking, entertaining, and gathering.
'Rather than a standard rectangular block, clients are asking for islands that feel like a timeless piece of furniture integrated into the home's architecture,' designer Christina Cruz explains. 'We're designing more sculptural forms with softened curves, furniture-style legs, intricate millwork, and thoughtful details that make the island feel handcrafted rather than manufactured.'
7. Sculptural range hoods
Designer Jen Dean of Jede Interiors says the range hood actually holds a lot of potential when it comes to adding something special to a kitchen. 'I think we’ll continue to see plaster, stone, millwork, and more sculptural shapes rather than just a standard metal hood,' she says. It’s a great way to add a big statement without feeling overly designed.
8. A focus on entertaining
Kitchens have always been gathering spaces, which is why these rooms are leaning towards more bespoke, furniture-like pieces. However, this also affects the overall flow of the kitchen. 'By 2027, kitchen design will lean heavily into intuitive spatial flow and designated hosting zones that elevate how a home functions,' explains Jennifer Worts.
Think: dual islands (one functional, one a hub for casual meals and conversation), hidden appliances, workhorse pantries — aspects that make tidying up easier and enrich the space while allowing guests to be in the room without getting in the way of the host.
'A few years ago, open-concept layouts prioritised clinical efficiency and visible, commercial-grade appliances,' Jennifer adds. Today’s clients are abandoning those 'rigid functional boundaries' in favour of layered environments where prep, storage, and socialising exist in distinct, harmonious zones.
9. Warm, tonal colour palettes
Warmer neutrals paired with a variety of textures are going to be showing up in more 2027 kitchen colour palettes. Think darker wood stains, warm stones, patinated metals, and plaster or limewash walls wrapping this room, according to Alison.
10. Hardworking sculleries
The current love of the scullery or back kitchen ties into the evolution of the kitchen into a space that’s meant to feel lived-in; a 'dirty kitchen' or 'butler’s pantry' allows the mess of prepping and cooking to live in an entirely different space than the main kitchen, in turn providing a mess-free open space for guests to lounge.
'Whatever we call them, clients still want an open, beautiful kitchen – but they also want a separate place for small appliances, food preparation and the everyday mess of family life,' Stephanie says, and these hardworking secondary spaces allow both of those things to exist at once.
11. Natural materials allowed to age
Stone, metal, wood — in 2027, many more people will be looking towards natural materials for their kitchens. Specifically, they’ll be looking for materials that age.
'I think clients are becoming much more open to materials that patina and change over time instead of expecting everything to stay pristine,' Jen says. 'Those imperfections are what give a kitchen so much personality.'
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