Working on the team at Country Living, 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 favoured 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 asked kitchen 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 democratisation.” 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 colours 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% 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 colours to create a simple, digestible pattern that still brings loads of interest.
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 panelled 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.
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 favour of personality-forward semi-flush mounts. These days, pronounced lighting profiles dotted across a kitchen ceiling quickly signify a well-designed, updated space.
Mixed materials
Cement tiles, hemlock countertops, and a soapstone sink in this 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 colour. 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.
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.
Helpful kitchen additions
OXO OXO Rapid Coffee Brewer
Wire Egg Slide Holder
Joseph Joseph Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact Cutlery Organiser
Izaan Spice Jar - Clear - (Set of 3)
Anthropologie Linnea Ceramic Egg Crate
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
