The world of cooking is undergoing a period of rapid changes, driven by environmental concerns, technological advancements, and a renewal of gastronomic codes. Understanding these trends requires distinguishing between what is a fleeting fad and what is permanently altering the way we conceive, equip, and practice cooking on a daily basis.
Interoperability and energy efficiency: the connected kitchen changes course
The connected kitchen is entering a phase where interoperability and energy efficiency take precedence over an overload of features. Manufacturers like Samsung and LG, during their press announcements and demonstrations at IFA Berlin, are now focusing on compatibility with existing smart home ecosystems, energy consumption monitoring, and the automation of genuinely recurring tasks.
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A connected oven or refrigerator no longer just displays recipes on a touchscreen. The challenge lies in the device’s ability to communicate with the rest of the house, adjust its consumption based on off-peak hours, or signal an anomaly before a breakdown occurs. The news from Toutes Les Recettes reflects this transition well, where kitchen technology is now judged on its tangible usefulness rather than its demonstration effect.
This shift has a direct impact on purchasing criteria. Where a consumer once compared isolated features, they now evaluate the device’s compatibility with their smart home setup (Matter, HomeKit, SmartThings) and its actual energy class in connected use.
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Kitchen materials: traceability and volatile compounds under scrutiny
The question of materials used in kitchen design goes beyond a simple aesthetic choice between wood, stone, or laminate. Increasing regulatory pressure is being placed on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by surfaces, adhesives, and finishes.
Professionals in the field are increasingly communicating about labels certifying low emissions and the traceability of materials. This evolution responds to a documented demand: consumers want to know where the countertop they touch every day comes from and what substances it releases into the indoor air.
Criteria to check before choosing a material
- The VOC emission rating (A+ being the lowest), mentioned on the product’s environmental label, provides a reliable indication of indoor air quality after installation.
- The origin of the material and the processing chain: certified wood with a water-based finish does not have the same impact as an imported composite panel without certification.
- The physical durability of the material in the context of a kitchen (resistance to heat, stains, humidity), which directly affects its longevity and therefore its overall environmental impact.
This trend aligns with a broader movement: the aesthetic durability takes precedence over overly trendy styles. Miralis, in its 2026 trend content, and Arthur Bonnet in its 2025-2026 communications, emphasize neutral tones, understated facades, and natural materials designed to withstand the years without appearing dated.
Plant-based gastronomy and flame cooking: two currents that coexist
Michelin inspectors identify two seemingly contradictory gastronomic movements for 2025, which coexist in restaurants around the world.
The first is the rise of elevated plant-based cuisine. A new generation of chefs is elevating vegetarian cooking to a gastronomic level, with seasonal dishes that contain no meat or dairy, appealing beyond just the vegetarian audience. This trend accompanies the increase in the number of consumers reducing their intake of animal proteins for health or environmental reasons.
The second current goes in a different direction: flame cooking is making a strong comeback. Grilling, embers, long cooking over wood fire—these ancient techniques are regaining a central place in restaurant kitchens. The appeal lies in the smoky flavors and the spectacular nature of the process, but also in a form of technical simplicity that contrasts with the molecular sophistication of previous years.
Rediscovered culinary traditions
Michelin inspectors also note a new perspective on South East Asian traditions and a culinary renaissance in China, two regions whose recipes and techniques are now infusing restaurant menus far beyond their geographical origins. Tacos, Thai grilling, and Latin American flavors confirm this openness to world cuisines that have long been confined to the realm of street food.
Timeless design versus trend effect: what kitchen designers are choosing in 2026
The content published by kitchen designers for 2026 converges on one point: timeless design is progressing at the expense of kitchens heavily marked by short trends. Intense black, terrazzo, or saturated colors are not disappearing, but they are receding in favor of more subdued palettes and clean lines.
This retreat of overly typified styles reflects a change in mentality among buyers. A kitchen represents a significant investment, and the prospect of it appearing dated after a few years pushes towards more measured choices. Natural materials (wood, stone, ceramic) and matte finishes dominate catalogs because they age better visually and physically.
- Functional minimalism remains a safe bet: hidden storage, built-in appliances, handle-less facades.
- Central islands continue to gain versatility, serving as work surfaces, tables, and storage areas.
- Custom integrated lighting (under upper cabinets, in niches, along the countertop) is gradually replacing decorative fixtures above the island.
The common thread of these choices is the search for a space that functions daily without sacrificing aesthetics and that will not require renovation for at least a decade. Kitchen designers offering modular configurations, adaptable over time, are capturing an increasing share of demand.
The world of cooking in 2025-2026 is characterized less by spectacular breaks than by the simultaneous maturation of several trends. Technology is refocusing on utility, materials are scrutinized for their health impact, gastronomy oscillates between plant-based and flame, and design prioritizes longevity. Purchasing criteria are evolving towards measurable requirements: technical compatibility, emission class, durability of finishes.