Every February, the kitchen and bath industry descends on one city to reveal what the next generation of home design looks like. This year, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and the International Builders' Show (IBS) came together during Design & Construction Week at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from February 17 through 19. Over 650 exhibitors, tens of thousands of industry professionals, and three packed days of product launches, panels, and trend forecasting made one thing clear: 2026 remodeling is personal, purposeful, and rooted in wellness.
As a Chicago remodeling company that stays on the cutting edge of design and construction, our team pays close attention to where the industry is heading. Here is everything we saw, heard, and took away from the floor at KBIS and IBS 2026, and what it means for Chicago homeowners planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or whole home transformation this year.
Health, Wellness, and the Rise of Functional Spaces
If there was one theme that dominated every corner of the show floor, it was wellness. Kitchens and bathrooms are no longer just rooms where you cook and get ready in the morning. They are evolving into spaces designed to support your physical and mental well-being.
In kitchens, this showed up through innovations like wellness-focused cooking features (steam ovens, powerful ventilation hoods, and induction cooktops designed for cleaner, healthier cooking), along with water filtration and hydration systems built directly into the cabinetry and countertop design. MAGPPIE debuted its "wellness kitchens" made entirely of stone for safety and resilience, while brands like Brio Water Technology showcased advanced hydration systems designed for seamless kitchen integration.
In bathrooms, the wellness movement has taken the concept of a personal sanctuary to the next level. Spa-like features including oversized walk-in showers, soaking tubs, steam systems, rainfall showerheads, layered lighting, and integrated temperature controls were everywhere. According to NKBA's 2026 Bath Trends Report, 77% of designers say homeowners want their bathrooms to feel like a relaxing hotel retreat. For Chicago condo owners and homeowners in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and the West Loop, this is an especially relevant trend since creating a true retreat in your primary bathroom adds both daily enjoyment and real resale value.
Modern Traditional: Where Warmth Meets Clean Lines
One of the strongest design directions at the show was the blending of traditional warmth with modern simplicity. The industry is calling it "modern traditional," and it is quickly becoming the dominant aesthetic in both kitchen and bathroom remodeling.
Think clean slab-front cabinetry paired with warm white oak wood tones. Think arched range hoods and curved island edges softening what would otherwise be a fully contemporary kitchen. Think fluted vanity details and inset cabinetry bringing character into a minimalist bathroom. According to Houzz's 2026 trend research, traditional styling is making a comeback in a softer, more relaxed version, led by English country and modern Tudor influences that feel warm, grounded, and quietly elegant.
This approach is all about balance. Flat-panel cabinetry (the second most popular style after Shaker, per NKBA data) is gaining ground even in transitional and traditional rooms. Designers are pairing these smooth, unframed doors with warm wood species, matte finishes, and minimalist hardware to create a refined custom look that feels modern yet timeless.
For Chicago homeowners, this is a great direction. Modern traditional design works beautifully in older homes, vintage condos, and new construction alike because it bridges eras without feeling dated or overly trendy.
Clean, Multipurpose Rooms Are Replacing Single-Use Spaces
The days of a kitchen being just a kitchen are over. At KBIS and IBS, the conversation kept coming back to how kitchens and bathrooms are becoming multipurpose zones that serve a variety of daily needs.
In kitchens, that means dedicated beverage stations (85% of designers reported this as a top request), pet feeding areas, built-in homework or work-from-home nooks, and butler's pantries that double as storage and prep zones. Islands are getting bigger and smarter, packed with storage, seating, and task lighting. NKBA's data shows that 76% of respondents expect kitchen footprints to increase even as overall home sizes decline.
Bathrooms are seeing a similar evolution. Custom storage for hair tools, medications, and devices is being integrated into vanity cabinetry. Charging stations are being tucked inside drawers. The overall push is toward clean, uncluttered spaces where everything has a designated place and the room can serve multiple functions without looking busy.
Hardware Is Moving Into Cooler Tones
One of the more noticeable shifts on the show floor was in hardware finishes. While warm metallics like brass and brushed gold have dominated for the past several years, 2026 is bringing a clear move toward cooler tones.
Brushed nickel, polished chrome, and champagne silver finishes were prominent across booth after booth. Matte black continues to hold strong as a versatile, modern option. What was especially interesting was the rise of mixed metals, with designers layering cool and warm finishes in the same space for a collected, intentional look.
Modern Matter made waves debuting its first powder-coated hardware collection, featuring solid brass pieces finished in bold, color-matched hues inspired by Benjamin Moore's palette. This signals a broader industry movement toward hardware as a true design statement rather than an afterthought. Renaissance Handmade showcased bespoke luxury furniture hardware that treats every knob and pull as a statement piece.
For remodeling projects in Chicago, this means homeowners have more flexibility than ever to mix finishes between faucets, cabinet pulls, light fixtures, and accessories for a layered, designer-curated result.
Paint Colors Are Warming Up and Going Brown
While hardware cools down, paint is heating up. The color story for 2026 is grounded, warm, and deeply personal.
Benjamin Moore's 2026 Color of the Year, Silhouette AF-655, is a rich espresso brown with a hint of charcoal. It set the tone for the entire show and signals the broader movement away from cool grays and stark whites toward warmer, earth-inspired tones. Sherwin-Williams' 2026 Color of the Year, Universal Khaki SW 6150, reinforces the shift toward warm neutrals that feel inviting and timeless, described as an earthy mid-tone tan with a slight yellow undertone that channels a return to fundamentals, functionality, and practicality.
The full trending palette includes earthy taupes, clay tones, soft sage greens, olive, terracotta accents, and deep browns. These colors pair beautifully with natural materials like wood, stone, and textured ceramics, which were also trending heavily at the show.
For Chicago kitchens and bathrooms, this translates to cabinetry in warm wood grains (white oak continues to lead), walls in soft earthy neutrals, and bold accent moments in deeper brown or green tones. The overall effect is a space that feels calm, grounded, and intentionally designed.
Customization Is the Standard, Not the Exception
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from KBIS and IBS 2026 was the industry's full embrace of customization. Every major brand, from appliance manufacturers to cabinetry companies to surface material producers, presented products with personalization at the core.
Samsung showcased its Bespoke AI appliance line with customizable finishes and flexible installation options. ZLINE unveiled coordinated finish families with hardware that allows personalization at scale. Cambria pushed quartz surfaces beyond countertops into walls, floors, and architectural applications under their "Style Without Limits" theme. EcoDomo introduced recycled leather veneer as a fully customizable, high-end surface material.
The message was consistent: homeowners want spaces that reflect who they are, not a cookie-cutter showroom look. Storage configurations, cabinetry profiles, finish combinations, surface materials, and even appliance layouts are all being tailored to individual lifestyles.
Additional Trends Worth Watching in 2026
Beyond the major themes above, here are several other notable trends that surfaced at the show and deserve attention.
Aging-in-place design is now beautiful, not just functional. Curbless showers, wider doorways, grab bars that look like luxury fixtures, and barrier-free entries are being designed to enhance both safety and style. With the 85-and-older population in America projected to nearly triple by 2050, this is a long-term design direction, not a passing trend.
Natural stone and quartz continue to dominate surfaces. Quartzite and marble with soft, organic veining in greens, browns, and golds are trending for both countertops and backsplashes. Full-height stone slab backsplashes that eliminate grout lines were one of the most requested design features at the show.
Organic shapes are softening everything. Rounded island corners, arched cabinet details, curved range hoods, and gentle silhouettes are replacing rigid, hard-edged modern design. This connects to the broader wellness theme since softer forms create a more calming, welcoming environment.
Lighting has become a design feature, not just a utility. Statement pendant lights, under-cabinet LEDs, interior cabinet lighting, and layered lighting schemes (ambient, task, and accent) are considered essential in 95% of kitchen designs and are a rising priority in bathrooms.
Smart technology is quietly integrating. WiFi-enabled appliances, embedded wireless charging stations, app-controlled lighting, and AI-powered features (Samsung's AI Vision and smart refrigerators were standouts) are being built into kitchens in ways that enhance function without cluttering the design.
Sustainability is no longer optional. Low-VOC finishes, water-saving fixtures, eco-friendly materials, and energy-efficient appliances are now expectations for the modern remodeling client, especially among Millennial and Gen Z homeowners.
Large-format tiles and continuous surfaces are gaining traction. Oversized tiles and seamless wall panels reduce grout lines, simplify maintenance, and create a clean, modern look in both kitchens and bathrooms.
What This Means for Your Chicago Remodel
For homeowners across Chicago, Lincoln Park, the South Loop, West Loop, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lakeview, and beyond, these trends point toward one clear direction: your next kitchen or bathroom remodel should be designed around how you actually live. Wellness, personalization, warmth, and intentional design are the pillars of 2026, and every one of them translates directly into higher daily enjoyment and stronger long-term home value.
Whether you are planning a full kitchen transformation, converting your outdated bathroom into a spa-inspired retreat, or reimagining your entire condo from the inside out, the trends coming out of KBIS and IBS 2026 give us an incredible playbook to create spaces that feel both current and timeless.
