warmer, mineral-based tones that are easier to live with. Colours such as putty, flint, mushroom, stone, oatmeal and warm taupe provide a stable foundation for a kitchen because they sit comfortably alongside a wide range of materials including oak, walnut, stainless steel, travertine and porcelain. Neutrals also reduce the risk of a scheme dating quickly, which is important in a category where cabinetry represents a major investment and replacement cycles are long. The shift is being driven in part by the rise of open-plan living, where kitchens must work visually with adjoining spaces, and by the current preference for natural materials and low-gloss finishes.
They are built with precise railand-stile profiling that creates definition through shadow lines rather than applied ornament. The geometry is clean and controlled, often using a single crisp step or bevel to form structure across the door. This achieves visual depth and architectural clarity at a more accessible cost than classic inframe construction. It also allows designers greater flexibility in proportion: rail widths can be adjusted, panel depths fine-tuned, and moulding profiles scaled to suit ceiling height and natural light conditions. In painted finishes, this approach offers an engineered level
In cabinetry profiles, micro shaker continues to accelerate. It takes the familiarity of a framed door but with slimmer proportions, resulting in a cleaner, more architectural line. It sits comfortably in both classic and contemporary settings, which is why it is resonating so strongly with design-led homes.
There is also renewed interest in moulded door construction at the upper end of the market, driven as much by design intention as by economic reality. Traditional in-frame Shaker kitchens remain desirable but they are labourintensive to manufacture and install, which places them at the higher end of the price spectrum. With economic uncertainty influencing homeowner decisions, the industry is exploring alternatives that retain a sense of craftsmanship without the full cost of in-frame joinery.
of refinement that feels tailored. We think this is the most interesting of the trends we expect to see in 2026. This is an area we are already developing at Davonport, with a micro shaker lay-on concept set to be introduced later this year.. Bold stone will remain a key design statement but will evolve towards more geological expression. Smooth marbles are giving way to stones with intense veining, dramatic movement and thicker profiles. Full-height slabs and waterfall ends are being used to sculpt islands into monolithic forms.
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This is where deeper moulded lay-on doors are gaining ground.
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