Surface choice is a key factor in shaping design outcomes for kitchen and restaurant spaces. It determines the overall aesthetic and impacts how the space supports everyday use, whether through daily living or customer traffic. Alongside aesthetics, specifiers are requesting materials that balance durability and sustainability. Manufacturers are responding with an impressive array of finishes and materials.

In this feature, Diane Larner examines the latest products to reach the market – from worktops to flooring.

Enduring chic

Kitchen surfaces are taking leading roles in design storytelling. Construction professionals and homeowners are leaning in to natural, earthy shades, paired with textured finishes that encourage touch and interaction. Materials like quartz and sintered stone will prove popular again in 2026 thanks to their durability, low maintenance, and visual impact.

Simon Boocock, managing director at CRL Stone, agrees, “Kitchen surfaces are no longer just functional, they’re a focal point of design expression. Homeowners are embracing organic tones and tactile finishes that bring warmth and authenticity, with quartz leading the way for its beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance – the perfect blend of form and function.”

Embracing the enduring appeal of natural materials, CRL Stone continues to set the standard in kitchen surface design with two captivating new additions to its celebrated Quartz Collection – Taj Mahal and Statuario Oro.

Radiant elegance

We have seen a bold return to warmth and richness in interior design. For kitchen surfaces, this translates to a preference for deep reds, burnished bronze, and soft gold, evoking a sense of depth and sophistication. These warmer tones pair beautifully with natural materials such as stone, wood, and raw metal to create kitchens that feel luxurious and expressive.

Joanne Bull, marketing manager for Königstone, comments: “Rich, warm hues in worktops bring a sense of depth and sophistication to any space. These tones create a welcoming atmosphere while adding a luxurious, tactile quality that complements both contemporary and classic designs. Whether paired with natural wood accents or sleek metallic finishes, warm surfaces evoke comfort and elegance, making them an ideal choice for homeowners seeking a distinctive look. It’s all about blending functionality with a feeling of warmth and character.”

KönigNaturals is a stunning collection of granites, quartzites, and dolomites from Königstone, sourced from some of the world’s finest natural stone producers. This curated range celebrates the timeless beauty and individuality of natural materials, offering a luxurious palette of inspiring surfaces for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.

Making a splash

Engineered surfaces have transformed the design and build process thanks to ease of installation and maintenance. Resilient, waterproof laminates deliver long-lasting performance and excel when protecting against moisture and wear in demanding environments.

These modern installation systems also enable faster, cleaner, and more seamless finishes compared to traditional methods. This, in turn, reduces disruption on site, which saves valuable time. These innovations make engineered surfaces a practical choice for contemporary kitchens due to design flexibility and longevity.

Dale Gabriel, product manager, PJH explains: “The latest kitchen wall panels are a stylish and practical solution for kitchens of all types and sizes. Not only are they faster and easier to install than tiling, but they offer a fully watertight finish due to multi-layer moisture barriers, and exceptional resilience to the daily demands of a busy kitchen.

Due to advancements in wall panel engineering, today’s splashback designs offer excellent all-round performance – and boast some stunning contemporary finishes. The seamless panel fit provides virtually invisible joints, making cleaning and maintenance easy, with fantastic anti-bacterial properties. From marble and industrial-effect decors, to herringbone and subway tile-effects, the styling choice is vast.”

PJH has announced the expansion of its Fibo portfolio with the introduction of a new collection of Fibo Kitchen Wall Panels. The new Fibo splashback collection offers the same engineering quality and performance credentials that have made the bathroom collection such a success. Installation is quick and straightforward thanks to Fibo’s patented Aqualock click system, enabling installers to complete projects up to five times faster than tiling and achieve a virtually seamless finish with minimal disruption on site.

Marbling marvels

Marbling is one of the most striking trends in surface design. It brings depth, movement, and more than a touch of luxury. From natural stone to engineered materials, marbled patterns build-in elegance whilst enabling designers to play with veining, colour contrast, and texture.

Marbled surfaces are equally as comfortable whether used as a statement island, worktop, splashback, or wall panel. They effortlessly combine visual impact with versatility and work equally well in traditional or contemporary settings.

Laminam has announced the UK launch of four new colours in its flagship I Naturali collection: Calacatta Viola, Taj Mahal, Marmorea Bruna, and Calacatta Brecciato. Each surface captures the nuanced beauty of natural stone while delivering the low-maintenance performance and sustainability credentials for which Laminam is known.

Perfectly patterned

Checkerboard flooring is back in fashion. This retro-style design blends classic elegance with a standout geometry. Sought for both modern and traditional spaces, the compelling pattern anchors rooms with a sense of heritage, whilst remaining effortlessly contemporary. The contrast of black and white adds visual drama, and as nostalgia for vintage-style aesthetics continues to rise, this classic style has become a popular choice for creating visually memorable kitchens, entryways, and bathrooms.

Stuart Reeves, LeoLine UK sales and marketing director, agrees: “Black and white checkerboard flooring is once again enjoying a resurgence, fuelled by the retro aesthetic look returning to interior design. Its timeless, signature style now extends beyond the classic 1950s US diner.  However, a barrier to incorporating this much-loved style into spaces can be the budget. Ceramics can be pricey. Tiles can be expensive, and installation is both lengthy and complex, making it a costly option for businesses and homes alike. A convenient alternative is modern-day vinyl floors, which use state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques that not only mirror this classic look but also deliver true-to-life texture, high performance, easy care, and simple installation qualities to projects.”

LeoLine cushion vinyl delivers the look of luxury flooring at a fraction of the price and offers a wide selection of realistic wood, stone, and tile designs, making it perfect for effortless home updates that look great and last.

We hope you enjoyed this Feature from Kitchens Review. Please look through our feature archive for more useful information.

If you are interested in seeing the latest trends in bathroom design, please visit our sister site, Bathroom Review.

This feature was brought to you by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.