27th May 2026 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn For interior designers, Milan Design Week 2026 remains one of the most influential moments in the global design calendar. It is where ideas are tested, materials are refined and the direction of residential design quietly resets for the year ahead. At Roundhouse Design, Milan is never approached as a trend report. It is a working research trip. Designers step away from projects and showrooms to experience 2026 interior trends first-hand across Salone del Mobile and the wider city installations. What returns is not a catalogue of styles but a clearer understanding of how kitchens and interiors are evolving in real homes. This year felt notably restrained. Less spectacle. More refinement. Materials were more tactile, forms were softer and technology was more discreet. For Roundhouse Design, this reinforces a long-held belief that the most successful kitchens are not defined by impact but by how naturally they support daily life. Roundhouse Roundhouse Organic curves and the importance of flow One of the clearest shifts in Milan was the continued move towards organic curves which we highlighted in last years’ Milan Design Week report. Across furniture, lighting and interiors, softer geometry replaced rigid structure. The reference point for this approach was the Barene collection by Marco Zito for Carpet Edition, where form follows a natural rhythm rather than strict symmetry. For Roundhouse Design, curve appeal is never purely decorative. They are functional decisions that shape movement through a space. In kitchens, a curved island worktop edge improves circulation and removes harsh corners in open-plan layouts. It creates a more natural flow between cooking, dining and living areas. Within Roundhouse Design projects, these details are always subtle. A softened cabinetry run. A gently radiused worktop edge. A transition that feels considered rather than imposed. The result is a kitchen that feels easier to live in, not just easier to look at. Roundhouse Roundhouse Metal as a material of architecture Metal finishes was one of the strongest material stories in Milan, but its role has evolved. It is no longer an accent material. It is architectural. At De Castelli, cabinetry systems demonstrated how steel can feel sculptural and layered rather than industrial. Across EuroCucina, stainless steel appeared in softer finishes such as brushed, satin and burnished surfaces. These finishes were often combined with timber, stone or lacquer to create balance and warmth. The shift is clear. Metal is becoming more domestic and more refined. Roundhouse Design has long explored this territory. Liquid metal finishes, for example, allow cabinetry to carry the depth of metal without its hardness. Surfaces shift subtly with light and reveal variation across large runs. In practice, this makes metal feel bespoke rather than uniform. The direction is consistent. Metal is becoming quieter, warmer and more integrated into the overall language of the kitchen. Colour direction grounded in restraint Colour in Milan 2026 continued the move towards warmth and depth. Earthy tones are now firmly established within contemporary interior design. Terracotta, rust and clay are increasingly used as foundational tones rather than accents. Deep burgundy and rich reds also appeared frequently, often expressed through stone rather than paint. At Lema, the Traverso Table by Carlo Colombo showed how strongly a single material decision can anchor an entire scheme. For Roundhouse Design, colour is always used with intention. Strong tones are never applied across a full scheme. Instead, they are anchored to a single moment such as a kitchen island or dining surface. The surrounding palette is then built to support that decision. This approach creates balance. It allows colour to feel confident without overwhelming the space. Roundhouse The evolution of green Green continues to shift, moving away from heavier olive and khaki tones towards lighter and more optimistic expressions. Pistachio emerged as a key direction in Milan. It is softer than traditional greens and carries enough warmth to sit comfortably within layered interiors as seen in our Kinsey project. For Roundhouse Design, this makes it particularly effective in kitchen design. It works alongside timber, stone and warm neutrals while still offering a clear point of interest. Used on cabinetry, it introduces colour in a way that feels controlled and architectural rather than decorative. Discreet appliances and invisible technology At FTK – Technology for the Kitchen, the message was clear. Appliances are becoming quieter, more integrated and less visually dominant. Brands including Miele, Neff, Falmec, Elica and Beko all presented softer matt finishes and muted tones designed to sit within cabinetry rather than stand apart from it. Technology itself is also becoming more intelligent but less visible. AI driven systems now support performance in ovens, refrigeration and energy use, but without adding complexity to the user experience. Roundhouse Design has always prioritised this approach. Appliances are considered from the earliest design stages to ensure full integration. The goal is simple. Technology should support the kitchen without defining its appearance. Richmond, shot by Mary Wadsworth (styling by Hannah Franklin) Richmond, shot by Mary Wadsworth (styling by Hannah Franklin) Craft as the defining measure of luxury One of the strongest themes across Milan was the renewed focus on craft. Across FuoriSalone, installations explored process, material origin and the human decisions behind design. The SiMa Townhouse by Massimiliano Locatelli was a clear example. Handcrafted ceramic fragments were assembled into large scale surfaces, highlighting the importance of skill, time and collaboration. For Roundhouse Design, this thinking is fundamental. Craft is not an aesthetic layer applied at the end. It is embedded into every stage of design and manufacture. Every detail matters. How a drawer closes. How a handle feels. How storage is configured for daily rituals such as cooking, entertaining or family routines. All Roundhouse Design kitchens are made in the UK by skilled cabinetmakers using responsibly sourced materials. This control over production ensures precision from concept to completion. It also ensures that design intent is carried through every detail. Final thoughts from Roundhouse Design Milan Design Week 2026 confirmed a clear direction. Kitchens are becoming calmer, more tactile and more personal. For Roundhouse Design, this is not a shift in thinking, but a continuation of principles already embedded in the studio’s approach. The most relevant ideas are not trends. They are design values. Flow. Material honesty. Integration. Craft. When translated through bespoke design, they become kitchens that feel resolved, functional and deeply personal. Roundhouse Discover more with Roundhouse Design If Milan Design Week 2026 inspires you, explore more inspiring projects and considered kitchen design details, by downloading the latest Roundhouse brochure and begin shaping your own vision. Or visit a showroom to experience the craftsmanship, materials and quality of Roundhouse Design’s bespoke kitchens first-hand, and speak with a designer about a space tailored to the way you live. About Roundhouse Design Ltd Founded by architects, Roundhouse is a multi-award-winning British company, creating beautiful bespoke kitchens and furniture. Their stunning kitchen designs feature a signature understated aesthetic, influenced by contemporary and traditional design, using innovative materials, texture and colour. Each project is made to measure from a wide range of stunning finishes. Expertly crafted by skilled designers and makers in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire. Visit any of seven Roundhouse Design kitchen showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.