We can’t believe we are already saying this, but in two months, it will be a brand-new year. What will 2027 bring in kitchen design trends? Designers and the UK’s leading interior titles are already sharing their predictions. Seeing these trends in glossy magazines and all over the internet gives our clients ideas to bring forward.
At Planet Furniture, we’re sharing the kitchen trends for 2027 that we believe will shape the year ahead, why they’re happening, and how they’re already appearing in the bespoke, handmade kitchens we design.
1. The Kitchen That Feels Like a Living Room
One trend hitting hard in 2027 is that the kitchen is becoming softer, warmer and more like a living space. The sleek, utilitarian kitchen is giving way to rooms with personality, with open shelving, artwork, lamps, beautiful freestanding pieces and comfortable seating.
It’s a natural evolution of open-plan living. When the kitchen is where families eat, work, entertain and relax, it needs to feel as welcoming as any other room in the house. That means banquettes and generous island seating, display shelving for the things you love, and cabinetry that reads as furniture rather than units.
Our Radlett project is a prime example, where one side of the island leans into character through open shelving on solid legs, and the other wraps around an L-shaped banquette with seating for every occasion, from morning coffee to a long supper with friends. It’s the perfect centrepiece.
2. Furniture-Style Cabinetry and the Unfitted Look
Closely linked is the rise of furniture-style cabinetry. In 2027, we expect even more kitchens built from pieces that look as though they’ve been collected over time: dressers, larders, cupboards, worktable islands and cabinets raised on feet.
It’s the look that defines the unfitted kitchen. Rather than a single run of matching units from wall to wall, the room is composed of beautifully made individual pieces, each with its own presence. For a bespoke maker, it’s a joy to design, because every side of a freestanding piece is on show and every joint has to be right.
At our Preston barn project, the galley kitchen is joined by standalone furniture pieces, including a drinks dresser with solid and glazed doors, integrated lighting and a silvered antique mirror backdrop. It gives the room a relaxed, collected feel and lets the architecture breathe.
3. Richer, Darker Woods
The light oak that dominated the early 2020s is making way for something deeper. Walnut is leading the change, with dark-stained oak, mahogany and even burl wood appearing in the most considered kitchens. These timbers bring warmth, depth and a sense of quality that suits the cosier mood of 2027.
The key is balance. Darker woods look their best when paired with a lighter counterpoint, whether that’s a soft paint colour, pale stone worktops or plenty of natural light.
4. Earthy Reds, Plums and Olive Greens
The 2027 colour palette is going to be warm, rich and grounded by the looks of it. The cool greys and stark whites of recent years are well and truly behind us. In their place come earthy reds such as burgundy, merlot and oxblood, deep jewel-toned purples like aubergine and plum, softer muted browns, warm taupes and olive green, which is tipped to replace darker forest greens.
Combinations are getting more interesting with dusty blue with deep maroon, and ochre with maroon. For clients who aren’t ready to commit to a bold shade, these colours work beautifully on an island, pantry or a dresser.
Two-tone schemes remain a favourite approach, and we know why.
At St Albans, Plimsoll by Paint & Paper Library and Brinjal by Farrow & Ball bring just the right amount of drama and a bold contrast to the home. Pairing paint with deep natural wood is a pattern we expect to see a great deal of in 2027.
5. Expressive, Statement Stones
Worktops are becoming more expressive. Natural stone with real movement and variation is in demand, and increasingly it’s being carried beyond the worktop, up the wall as a full-height splashback, onto floating shelves and even into a wall of art.
The beauty of natural stone is that no two slabs are the same, and it ages with character.
At Preston, natural marble runs across the worktops, splashback and floating shelf as one continuous material story.
6. Curves and Softer Geometry
Hard lines are softening. Curved breakfast bars, rounded island ends and softly shaped furniture are all predicted to grow in 2027, adding a more organic, sociable feel to the kitchen. Curves encourage people to gather and move around the space naturally, and they’re a lovely way to temper the precision of Shaker or In-Frame cabinetry.
At The Old Mill in Blunham, an inviting seating arrangement with soft curves forms part of the island.
7. Mixed Metals and Statement Hardware
The rule that every metal in a kitchen must match is fading fast. In 2027, designers are mixing finishes with confidence, such as polished nickel alongside aged brass, or dark bronze handles beside a gunmetal tap. The trick is to make them feel related, so the metals read as one considered family rather than an accident.
Hardware is becoming more decorative, and we are treating it like an added jewellery feature to the kitchen. It’s one of those details that clients consistently tell us they love living with.
Bronze handles fill the space at our Letchworth project.
8. Old-World Details
Expect to see traditional details reinterpreted for modern kitchens. Plate racks, decorative ventilation holes in pantry and appliance doors, contrasting borders framing cabinet doors, and characterful door profiles are all forecast for 2027. They add charm and craft without tipping into pastiche, especially in period homes and barn conversions.
9. Hidden Kitchens, Sculleries and Curated Pantries
As the main kitchen becomes more of a living space, the practical work is moving behind the scenes. Sculleries, appliance garages and walk-in pantries let messy prep, clutter and small appliances disappear behind closed doors, leaving the showpiece kitchen calm and clear.
In 2027, pantries are becoming design features in their own right, often with glazed doors, beautiful shelving and their own lighting.
10. Fluted Glass and Texture Used with Restraint
Texture remains important in 2027, but with more restraint than before. Rather than fluting every surface, designers are using it as an accent. Fluted glass cabinet doors are a particular favourite, softening the view of what’s inside while still letting light and colour through. Reeded timber on a single island or a feature wall continues to feel fresh when it’s used thoughtfully.
11. Embracing Imperfection
Finally, one of the most refreshing shifts for 2027 is a move away from perfection. Natural materials chosen for how they wear, hand-painted finishes with subtle variation, stone that develops a patina, and asymmetrical layouts that respond to the room rather than forcing symmetry all point to the same idea: a kitchen should feel lived in and loved, not untouchable.
That idea sits at the heart of handmade cabinetry. Real timber, real stone and real craftsmanship all get better with age.
Related blogs:
Fluting Done Right: Reeded Detail as an Accent
Darker Woods are Back: Why Walnut is Replacing Light Oak
The Unfitted Kitchen: Why Freestanding Furniture is Back
If you’re planning a new kitchen for 2027, we’d love to help you bring these ideas to life in a way that suits your home. At Planet Furniture, every bespoke, handmade kitchen is designed and made in our Hitchin workshop, and every project starts with a single conversation about how you really live. We would love to welcome you to our showroom and discuss your next project.
