I've covered kitchen design for 10 years—this is the trend I believe will stick

As Country Living’s Deputy Homes Editor, I spend a lot of time talking with designers about kitchens, and over the last 10 years of my career, I’ve spent even more time writing about them. So, when news about the latest kitchen design “trend” comes across my desk, I’m skeptical. I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go with very little staying power, which is exactly why the latest trend report from Thumbtack, a home services marketplace, piqued my interest. According to the experts at Thumbtack, one of the standout kitchen design trends in 2026 is what they’re calling “joydrenching.” Below, I’m diving into what joydrenching is and why I think this trend is here to stay, plus sharing designer-approved tips on how to do it well in your own kitchen.

What Is Joydrenching?

Much like it sounds, joydrenching is all about creating spaces that spark joy through personal (and personality-filled) design choices. “Instead of playing it safe, [homeowners are] layering in bold, mood-boosting elements that turn the kitchen into a space that feels vibrant, lived-in, and uniquely theirs,” says Thumbtack’s trend report. Unique backsplashes, statement lighting, wallpaper, and mixed materials are some of the mood-boosting elements the homeowners in their study are turning towards. Kendra Sinclair, Thumbtack’s home design trend expert, also recommends incorporating meaningful items into the kitchen—think heirloom china or a favored collection on display.

The best part about this trend? It’s budget friendly. “Joydrenching doesn’t require a complete renovation,” says Kendra. “It can look like painting cabinets, adding bold tiles behind open shelving, or adding rich textiles like café curtains and layered dish towels.”

Is Joydrenching Trending?

Undoubtedly, yes! And it’s a trend I don’t think is going anywhere anytime soon. Earlier this year, I covered all the kitchen trends designers were most excited about—and they all had one thing in common: they were all ways to bring personality back to kitchens.

If the 2010s were defined by stark white kitchens, then the 2020s will be defined by a break from that clean, utilitarian look. (That doesn’t mean white kitchens are going anywhere, but today’s iterations have a lot more texture and patina.) We’re in the middle of what I’ve been calling a “design democratization.” Good design has never been more available thanks to direct-to-consumer brands selling once-exclusive products to the masses, and that extends to the kitchen, as people are more educated than ever about the wealth of accessible design options. In turn, our kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms feel more personal than ever.

How to Do It, According to the Experts

“There are very few rules when it comes to taking on this trend, since the goal is to introduce feel-good colors and sentimental touches,” says Kendra. Below, I’m outlining the four most popular ways homeowners are doing it, according to Thumbtack, and sharing how to put a designer spin on each one.

A Unique Backsplash

According to Thumbtack’s data, 49 percent of homeowners surveyed said they were choosing decorative tile or a bold backsplash to bring personality to their kitchens. An easy way to do this is by choosing a classic tile—think zellige—in fun colors to create a simple, digestible pattern that still brings loads of interest.

RELATED: Our Hall-of-Fame Backsplash Ideas

But perhaps the most exciting thing about this trend falls under the “bold backsplash” category. I’ve been tracking the rise of nickel gap paneling as a backsplash for the last year, and I think it’s finally hitting the mainstream. Not only does a paneled wood backsplash add cottage charm, but it also helps a kitchen feel less like a utilitarian space and more like any other room in your house.

RELATED: This Surprising Kitchen Trend Has Designers Ditching Tile

Statement Lighting

And by statement, I don’t necessarily mean big. You’ve likely seen over-the-top lighting hung with care over an island, but the renewed commitment to statement lighting goes further than that. Homeowners and designers alike are rejecting boring, builder-grade recessed lighting—think those plasticky can lights that were everywhere in the ’90s and 2000s—in favor of personality-forward semi-flush mounts. These days, pronounced lighting profiles dotted across a kitchen ceiling quickly signify a well-designed, updated space.

RELATED: The Three Types of Kitchen Lighting Designers Say You Need

Mixed Materials

Cement tiles, hemlock countertops, and a soapstone sink in this New York farmhouse kitchen prove that mixed materials bring old-school charm without sacrificing functionality. White marble on top of white cabinetry is definitely timeless, but don’t feel like all the hard surfaces in your kitchen need to be the same color. Stained wood cabinets look great with marble, and soapstone countertops or sinks add a dash of drama without detracting from the rest of the kitchen. Embrace a mix-and-match mindset for a kitchen that feels timeless.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know Before Installing Butcher-Block Countertops

Patterned Wallpaper

Homeowners have long felt that wallpaper doesn’t belong in hardworking spaces or in spaces regularly exposed to water, like the bathroom. It’s time we put that myth to rest: Wallpaper can stand up to everyday living, and there is no reason you shouldn’t use it in a kitchen. Now, I do think it’s best to have a separation between cooking areas and wallpaper, but that’s what a backsplash is for! If you’re looking to totally overhaul the look of your kitchen, try wallpaper. Designers have been using it in kitchens for decades, and it’s time you did, too.

RELATED: 30+ Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas to Instantly Update Your Space