In its final appearance before moving permanently to Las Vegas next year, the 2026 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and the International Builders’ Show (IBS) showcased the latest trends in residential design. Spanning over 1.15 million net square feet at the Orange County Convention Center, Design & Construction Week (DCW) drew more than 117,000 registered attendees, underscoring an industry buzzing with momentum despite shifting economic concerns.

While the absence of a few large-scale cabinet players and European labels—likely sidelined by lingering tariff concerns—was noted, the vacuum was quickly filled by a surge of innovative mid-sized manufacturers and first-time exhibitors. The result was a show floor that felt diverse, agile, and deeply focused on the “connected home” across multiple categories.

One of the most significant shifts witnessed this year was the blurring of lines between kitchen cabinetry and specialized home storage. While established closet brands like Organized Living and ClosetMaid showcased sophisticated systems, cabinet companies also shared that spotlight.

Organized Living debuted an expansion of its “whole-home” solutions, including freedomRail EDGE. This modular garage system combines tool-free adjustability with heavy-duty steel components that can support 170 lbs per linear foot. It also displayed its closet lines featuring new Whiskey Walnut and Blonde Oak finishes.

ClosetMaid PRO introduced FastFinish, a pre-finished shelf-and-rod system designed to eliminate on-site cutting and painting, collapsing a multi-trip trade workflow into a single installation. The brand also highlighted ShelfTrack EVO, which blends wood aesthetics with wire flexibility and premium upgrades to the MasterSuite collection.

Traditional cabinet manufacturers have officially crossed the threshold into the closet and mudrooms. Many booths featured expansive vignettes showing how their cabinetry and door styles can transition seamlessly from a primary kitchen to a boutique-style walk-in closet.

Körner Interior Solutions emphasized luxury design integrated with high-tech function in boutique closets.

Covered Bridge Cabinetry highlighted its expansion into high-end organizational spaces.

Fabuwood captured attention with its award-winning “The Sound of Home” exhibit, demonstrating how semi-custom cabinetry can anchor high-end mudrooms and primary suites.

Color and texture

While white remains a staple, the 2026 trend has veered toward softer, organic offset colors with beige and warm neutrals, including greiges and soft greys. This palette was anchored by:

• Organic Neutrals: Sage and navy remain the preferred “colored” neutrals.
• Moody Accents: A resurgence of rich tones like mauve, maroon, and burgundy.
• Dark Woods: Stained woods are returning in matte black and deep espresso, particularly for kitchen islands.

Texture has also emerged as a critical tool. The fluted trend shows no signs of slowing; tambour and ribbed wood appeared on everything from island bases to bathroom vanities. Designs of Distinction (DOD) displayed a new suite of rounded architectural components, including curved radius bases featuring flexible tambour panels.

Material layering and collaboration

In a collaborative showcase, EcoDomo and Element Designs partnered with DOD to demonstrate the layering of leather, metal, and glass.

EcoDomo launched the Stratto RLV collection, a recycled leather veneer with a proprietary topcoat for water and stain resistance.

Element Designs expanded its library to include back-painted glass and new Wire Mesh Grilles designed with DOD.

Wellness and universal design

Richelieu took home the Gold Wellness Trailblazer Award for its motorized accessibility solutions. Their VERTI 840 electric lift system lowers upper cabinet shelves vertically to the counter, while the BUTLER 730 & 732 systems bring motorized innovation to the closet.

Integrated lighting

Elektra showcased the Vario D10, a wireless, modular power track system for adjustable shelving. Shelves can be moved along a 24V track, with LED lighting engaging automatically via a contact point—no manual rewiring required.

Deako announced a partnership with Josh.ai, allowing builders to pre-wire homes with backplates so homeowners can “snap in” smart switches that integrate with privacy-focused AI control.

JascoPro launched its Modular Lighting System, allowing pros to snap Wi-Fi controllers or motion sensors directly into light bars. Their SmartCycle™ series utilizes circadian-rhythm technology to adjust color temperature ($2000K$ to $6500K$) throughout the day.

As the industry prepares for its move to Las Vegas, the Orlando finale left a lasting vision of a home that is smarter, more textured, and more cohesive than ever before.