To get you started, we spoke with Liz McCarthy<\/a>, a real estate agent with 21 years of experience, and Janet Lorusso<\/a>, a professional interior designer with over 30 years of experience. With their expert insights combined with industry predictions, you can gain some ideas to implement in your own kitchen and prepare it to sell for top dollar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n If you’re considering upgrading your kitchen in anticipation of a home sale, start with an estimate of your home’s value with our Home Value Estimator. It only takes two minutes to answer a few questions, and you\u2019ll receive a detailed analysis of your home straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n \n \u201cKitchens are the true heart of the home. I\u2019m drawn to trends and designs that invite people in,\u201d says designer Shea McGee<\/a>. Some of McGee\u2019s trend favorites include kitchen islands that double as homework spaces, storage that supports real life, and layouts that make everyday living easy.<\/p>\n Generational trends also reveal different purposes for different life stages. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association<\/a> (NKBA), smart and connected homes will be popular for Gen Z homeowners, while Millennials with children are looking for multifunctional layouts for living. Millennials without children want high-end convenience, Gen-X look for smarter storage solutions that decrease clutter, and Boomers are looking for easy and healthy living.<\/p>\n All-white kitchens have been around for years, largely because they\u2019re timeless and easy. For 96% of respondents surveyed by the NKBA, neutrals remain the most popular colors, followed closely by greens and blues.<\/p>\n To update a classic kitchen for 2026, add elements that create a warm, lived-in feel without sacrificing the timeless appeal that 72% of homeowners prefer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Think natural woods, metals that develop patina over time, textured stones, and soft finishes. \u201cIt\u2019s about depth, warmth, and character \u2013 kitchens that feel lived in, not just styled,\u201d McGee adds.<\/p>\n When it comes to color, McGee doubles down on layering natural elements. A flat white kitchen can be enhanced with a minor touch-up in the form of marble accessories or natural wood decor.<\/p>\n Cabinets can be used to create visual interest. \u201cThe easiest way to update existing cabinets is by painting them,\u201d says Lorusso. \u201cPaint hides a multitude \u2014 from the ubiquitous dated honey oak that builders dumped in every home in the late 20th century, to fussy glazed finishes.\u201d A fresh coat of paint can add an average of $10,184, according to HomeLight\u2019s recent agent survey.<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s color-drenching trend gives way to color blocking and monochromatic designs<\/a> in 2026. Sherwin-Williams\u2019 2026 Colormix Forecast Anthology Vol. II<\/a> features cabinet colors that add character, such as Frosted Tints, Sunbaked Hues, and Restorative Darks, but don\u2019t remove neutrals from your options just yet. Foundational Neutrals lend warmth without overwhelming the space.<\/p>\n![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Considering a Kitchen Upgrade? Check Your Home's Value<\/h3>\n
Focus on people-centric layouts<\/h2>\n
Go for finishes that give that lived-in look<\/h2>\n
Color blocking and bold monochrome palettes stand out<\/h2>\n