Gentle radii, “invisible” technology and the comeback of haptics: Dominik and Susanne Petz from the traditional Viennese company “Ecker auf Schubertring” in an interview about the most important kitchen trends at the 64th Salone del Mobile 2026.
The world is becoming more digital, cooler and often more restless. Our own four walls are responding to this with a counter-movement that was noticeable at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan. The kitchen – which has long been the emotional heart of every high-end property – is increasingly transforming from a functional work block to a homely design object.
We spoke to Viennese interior design experts Dominik and Susanne Petz after their return from the design metropolis. In the interview, the couple reveal why we now need “oval” islands, why the inside of the fridge is suddenly dark and why true innovation often remains invisible these days.
The trends for 2026 have just been set in Milan. What was the biggest surprise in kitchen design?
Dominik Petz: It almost sounds a little simple, but: everything becomes round. The hard edges disappear and you realize that the more angular the world outside is, the softer the home becomes. The psychology behind this is clear: we long for warmth and security within our own four walls. The kitchen island may not be a complete oval – functionality and technology set limits with hobs and dishwashers – but the furniture loses its hard corners. It is a less radical, softer way of living.
Is this softness also reflected in the choice of colors?
Susanne Petz: Definitely. Bright, pop colors are not an issue at all at the moment. We are seeing a movement towards muted pastel shades. It’s very similar to fashion: subtle, elegant and timeless.
There have been various trends in worktops over the last few years and decades. What is popular today?
Dominik Petz: We see two parallel movements: On the one hand, extremely high-quality natural stone that shows its authenticity. On the other hand, technologically advanced materials such as extremely thin ceramics. These are now so sophisticated that they perfectly absorb temperature differences. This is the only way that the new, fully integrated induction hobs, where you can no longer even see the hob on the plate, work.
Speaking of technology: are there any innovations that you really have to see?
Susanne Petz: Gaggenau has presented a visually fascinating innovation in refrigerators. When you open them, the inside is no longer white or made of stainless steel, but dark. The whole thing is staged with “theater lighting”: The light slowly dims up and specifically illuminates the food, not the fridge itself. This is pure high-end aesthetics.
Dominik Petz: For me, the new “XILA” island by Piero Lissoni for Boffi is a real design sensation. Until now, an island has always been a closed block because the technology and drainage had to be in the floor somewhere. Lissoni has managed to make the island free and floating at the bottom. You can practically send the dog underneath, even though the water and stove are integrated at the top. It looks incredibly airy and elegant.
It is often discussed whether the kitchen should become a separate, closed room again in order to avoid odors. What do you think?
Dominik Petz: I don’t see this trend at all. Cooking is a shared experience with friends and family. What we are seeing a lot of in the luxury segment, however, are of course so-called “dirty kitchens”. This means that there is a representative part and a functional work area behind it. Closable kitchen units are a middle ground: You have the sink and appliances at the back, but simply close the elegant tall unit doors after cooking and the kitchen visually disappears into the living room – this is becoming increasingly popular.
What about wood as a material in the modern kitchen?
Susanne Petz: With brands such as Boffi, wood is used very specifically as a combination element, often to create a connection to the living area and the parquet floor. But the pure “all-wood eco-kitchen” with wooden worktop, as we know it from the past, has completely disappeared. In modern planning, we tend to rely on a mix of stone, metal and lacquer.
Keyword pantry: In modern loft apartments, the classic “pantry” seems to be almost extinct. Is that a mistake?
Dominik Petz: You have to be honest: The storage of the past, that brick-built, dark room with a temperature of five degrees, often no longer works structurally in modern, open-plan and fully air-conditioned apartments. But the need for storage space has remained. That’s why we now offer solutions that integrate the additional benefits of a pantry directly into the kitchen architecture.
What does such a modern solution look like in concrete terms?
Susanne Petz: Manufacturers such as Boffi offer recessed corner solutions or tall unit systems with “pocket doors”, for example. These are doors that open and disappear into the side of the cabinet. Behind them is not a simple shelf, but a small, walk-in “cube” in which you can organize your supplies. It is functional, looks stylish and ensures that the open-plan designer kitchen in the living area always looks tidy. You don’t need an extra room, you just need smart planning.
You plan a lot of high-end apartments. Are there any classic mistakes that you see again and again?
Dominik Petz: It often fails because of the floor plan. We often see apartments that cost a fortune but are not planned smartly. People often only think about how many units they can squeeze into a building, but not about how a person will live in it. Of course, this doesn’t just apply to the kitchen, but also to the living space.
In conclusion: What will finally be “out” in 2026?
Susanne Petz: Handles! You don’t really see them in high-quality kitchens any more. And the extractor fan, which hangs massively from above the hob, is also a dying component. These days, almost everything is integrated into the hob. What’s also gone is the very rustic eco-look, as I mentioned earlier. That everything is made of wood. Sustainability is a huge issue in production, but the aesthetics today are elegant, minimalist and technologically sophisticated.
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