What’s New with LEICHT Kitchens in 2026
- Leicht Kitchen Experts
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Every year, LEICHT evolves its collection in subtle but meaningful ways. The 2026 collection is no exception—but this year’s update goes deeper than surface-level trends. It focuses on architectural calm, material intelligence, and planning concepts that respond to how kitchens are actually used today.
After a full, cover-to-cover review of the official LEICHT Innovations 2026 catalog, here is a clear, designer-level breakdown of what’s new—and what truly matters when planning a modern kitchen.
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The Big Picture: The Architectural Kitchen
The guiding idea behind the 2026 collection is the “architectural kitchen.” Rather than kitchens that read as furniture placed into a room, LEICHT continues to move toward kitchens that feel built-in, intentional, and spatially integrated.
Across the collection, this shows up as:
Softer transitions instead of sharp visual breaks
Calm, matte surfaces with depth rather than shine
Muted, natural color palettes
Planning solutions that connect kitchen, dining, and living spaces
The result is a kitchen that feels quieter, more refined, and easier to live with over the long term.
New Door Programs for 2026
IDEA — Matt Acrylic with Visual Depth
IDEA is one of the most important introductions in the 2026 collection. It combines the visual qualities of glass—depth, clarity, and light reflection—with the durability of high-quality acrylic.
The surface is deeply matt and velvety, reacting subtly to changing light throughout the day. Unlike high-gloss finishes, IDEA avoids glare and visual noise, making it especially well-suited for open-plan spaces.
Key characteristics:
Scratch-resistant, shockproof, and UV-stable
Uniform color with a refined depth effect
Calm, contemporary appearance
Available colors include sandy white, almond grey, sage green, and a deep crimson. These shades are designed to feel expressive without overpowering the space.
PM 170 Sandy White is a calm, warm white with a soft richness that avoids starkness. It works especially well in light-filled spaces and pairs naturally with wood veneers and stone worktops.
PM 171 Almond Grey sits between grey and beige, offering a balanced, neutral tone that feels architectural rather than decorative. It is an excellent choice for minimalist kitchens where subtle depth is preferred over contrast.
PM 172 Sage Green introduces a fresh yet restrained natural tone. Its muted character keeps it elegant and timeless, making it ideal for kitchens that aim to feel relaxed and grounded rather than trend-driven.
PM 173 Crimson is a deep, elegant red with a controlled intensity. Used thoughtfully, it creates a strong design statement while maintaining the refined, matt restraint that defines the IDEA programme.
In keeping with LEICHT’s design philosophy that colour does not need to be loud, all IDEA finishes share a velvety matt surface that creates a calm, gentle atmosphere and responds beautifully to changing light throughout the day.
METURO — Metallic Acrylic, Reinterpreted
METURO introduces a metallic look without the typical shine. Instead of reflective surfaces, LEICHT uses a silky matt acrylic with a soft, tactile feel.
Thanks to ion-based surface technology, METURO is also antibacterial, making it particularly suitable for kitchens that balance design with hygiene.
Metallic shades include satin platinum, satin copper, and satin graphite. Each colour was developed to express metal quietly, replacing reflectivity with depth and softness.
VM 075v Satin Platinum is a cool, refined grey with a subtle silvery undertone. It reads as calm and architectural, making it particularly well-suited for contemporary kitchens where restraint and precision are key.
VM 076v Satin Copper introduces warmth through a muted metallic tone rather than shine. Its soft copper character adds richness and visual interest without becoming dominant, working beautifully in kitchens that balance modern design with a welcoming atmosphere.
VM 077v Satin Graphite offers depth and urban clarity. Dark yet controlled, it provides a strong modern presence and pairs exceptionally well with handleless layouts, darker worktops, and minimalist interiors.
In keeping with LEICHT’s design approach, all METURO finishes feature a silky matt acrylic surface that creates a calm, homogeneous effect—allowing colour and form to define the space rather than surface reflection.
AMETIS — Metallic Lacquer with Refined Elegance
AMETIS marks a milestone in LEICHT’s lacquer expertise. Unlike acrylic-based metallic finishes, AMETIS uses a true metallic lacquer with a uniform, silk-matt appearance.
There is no directional structure, which allows large surfaces to feel calm and continuous—ideal for islands or full-height wall compositions.
Available colors include cuprum, auren, feron, and tanor. Each offers a subtle metallic presence without feeling decorative or flashy.
WAKUU and WAKUU-FS — Delicate Framed Design
WAKUU represents LEICHT’s interpretation of the modern framed front, defined by a very narrow 10 mm frame that feels precise, architectural, and intentionally understated. Rather than referencing traditional shaker cabinetry, WAKUU is about proportion, material quality, and fine detailing.
The slim frame creates structure without visual heaviness, allowing WAKUU to work equally well in contemporary apartments and refined, transitional interiors. A dedicated handle was developed specifically for the WAKUU design language, integrating seamlessly into the frame and reinforcing its clean geometry.
WAKUU — Veneer and Wood Expression
WAKUU focuses on natural materials and craftsmanship. The frame and inlay are executed in veneer and wood finishes, giving the front depth, texture, and a distinctly architectural character.
Rather than listing every available veneer option, WAKUU is best understood as a material-driven programme: the emphasis is on grain, tone, and surface feel. In practice, this allows designers to select the most appropriate wood finish based on the overall concept—whether warm and natural, dark and dramatic, or quietly textured.
WAKUU is often chosen for kitchens where material authenticity and fine detailing are more important than colour variety, and where the cabinetry is intended to feel integrated into the space's architecture.
WAKUU-FS — Framed Geometry with Colour Freedom
WAKUU-FS translates the same delicate frame design into a lacquered front, significantly expanding colour possibilities. In addition to LEICHT’s standard colours, WAKUU-FS can be specified in RAL, NCS, and the Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier® colour collection, including the Hygge colour concept.
This makes WAKUU-FS ideal for projects that require the visual discipline of a framed front combined with greater flexibility in colour expression. It is particularly well-suited for modern kitchens that want structure and rhythm without relying on wood tones.
Together, WAKUU and WAKUU-FS offer two distinct interpretations of the same design principle—one rooted in natural materials, the other in refined colour—allowing the framed front concept to adapt seamlessly to different architectural contexts.
BOSSA-FS — Vertical Texture with Colour Freedom
BOSSA-FS builds on the distinctive vertical rhythm of the original BOSSA programme, translating its architectural texture into a lacquered front with significantly greater colour flexibility.
While BOSSA is defined by natural wood veneers—where the vertical structure is expressed through grain and material depth—BOSSA-FS reinterprets the same fluted geometry in lacquer. The result is a softer, more uniform surface that maintains the iconic vertical pattern without relying on wood texture.
The open-pored, silk-matt lacquer finish reduces visual contrast and allows the vertical lines to read as calm and refined rather than dominant. This makes BOSSA-FS especially suitable for contemporary kitchens where texture is desired, but colour, proportion, and overall harmony remain the priority.
Available in LEICHT’s standard colours, RAL and NCS shades, and the Hygge colour concept, BOSSA-FS allows designers to combine a structured surface rhythm with controlled, modern colour palettes—ideal for islands, tall units, or architectural focal elements.
The Hygge Colour Concept
One of the most influential updates for 2026 is the Hygge Colour Concept. Inspired by Scandinavian living, this palette focuses on warmth, simplicity, and emotional comfort.
The selected RAL colors include soft greens, muted yellows, warm neutrals, and gentle beige tones. Rather than a dramatic contrast, these colors are meant to create a sense of balance and calm.
The Hygge colors are now available across multiple lacquer programs, making it easier to apply this concept consistently throughout a kitchen design.
New Colors and Decorative Surfaces
Dolomita — A Calm Stone Look
Dolomita is a new decor in the TERRA range, characterized by a light stone appearance with a subtle terrazzo effect. It balances light and dark tones in a way that feels natural and modern.
Dolomita is also available as both a laminate and compact worktop, allowing for cohesive designs across fronts, panels, and surfaces.
Cashmere Expanded
The popular cashmere tone has been expanded to the F 45 program, reinforcing the ongoing shift away from cool greys toward warmer, more natural neutrals.
Timelessly elegant and harmonious, the beige tone can be ideally combined with
warm, low-contrast colours as well as light woods and stone. For a peaceful, inviting atmosphere with modern naturalness.
Curved Side Panels — Softer Transitions
Curved side panels are one of the most architectural additions to the 2026 collection. They respond to the growing demand for softer, more organic interiors and help kitchens transition more naturally into surrounding living spaces.
Rather than ending islands and tall units with sharp vertical edges, curved panels introduce a continuous radius that visually softens the composition. This makes kitchen elements feel more sculptural and furniture-like, especially in open-plan layouts where the kitchen is viewed from multiple angles.
These panels:
Create gentle transitions between the kitchen and the living zones
Reduce visual bulk on islands and tall cabinetry
Emphasize flow, movement, and architectural continuity
Help kitchens feel integrated rather than freestanding
Available in multiple radii and heights, curved side panels can be applied to islands, peninsulas, and tall units. When combined with matching curved worktops, handles, and plinth detailing, the result is a highly refined, cohesive design that balances precision with softness.
In practical terms, curved panels are especially effective in contemporary homes, where circulation paths, seating areas, and sightlines benefit from smoother forms rather than sharp corners.
The Kyoto Planning Concept Evolves
KYOTO was introduced in 2024 as a standalone programme defined by a surrounding frame and an integrated handle, inspired by Japanese craftsmanship and precise architectural order.
For 2026, KYOTO evolves into a broader planning principle. Its characteristic frame, surrounding panels, and handle language are now available across multiple existing programmes, extending the KYOTO logic beyond a single front.
This allows doors, panels, shelves, and handles to be planned as one cohesive system, whether in lacquer, veneer, or decorative surfaces. Designers can create calm, monolithic compositions by specifying the same colour for fronts, panels, and handles, or introduce subtle contrast by mixing colours and textures while maintaining overall order.
With expanded colour options and compatibility with programmes such as IDEA, AMETIS, and METURO, the KYOTO planning concept offers a refined, flexible approach to architectural kitchen design.
Functional Innovations That Improve Everyday Use
Beyond surfaces and colors, LEICHT introduces several practical innovations designed to improve daily kitchen life:
Pullout utility units for narrow spaces
Walk-in corner pantry units with slide-away doors
With the walk-in corner pantry and slide-away doors, LEICHT offers a clever planning solution for making optimal use of otherwise difficult spaces—such as corner situations or the end of tall unit runs. When opened, the doors slide neatly out of the way, providing unobstructed access to the interior while keeping the surrounding kitchen lines clean and uninterrupted.
Concealed robot vacuum garages
LEICHT’s concealed robot vacuum garage integrates cleaning technology seamlessly into the kitchen design. The charging station is housed within the base cabinetry or plinth, keeping the robot accessible for daily use while remaining visually hidden when not in operation. This solution maintains clean architectural lines while allowing automated cleaning to function without disrupting the overall design.
Lift trays that extend usable work surfaces
Lift trays add flexible, pull-out work surfaces exactly where they are needed. Integrated into tall units or side panels, they extend smoothly when needed and retract flush when not in use—making them ideal for breakfast preparation, small appliances, or temporary work zones without permanently increasing the living space footprint.
A new niche shelving system with optional lighting and accessories
The new niche shelving system transforms the backsplash area into a fully integrated, functional design element. Concealed within a slim architectural profile, it allows shelves, rails, and practical accessories—such as paper towel holders, hooks, and glass holders—to be arranged with precision. Optional integrated lighting adds soft illumination for both task and atmosphere, while the modular layout keeps the work surface clear and visually calm. The result is a flexible, built-in solution that enhances everyday usability without disrupting the kitchen's clean, architectural character.
These features are especially valuable in urban kitchens, where efficient use of space is critical.
What the 2026 Collection Means for Your Kitchen
The LEICHT 2026 collection is not about dramatic change. It is about refinement—quieter colors, better materials, smarter planning, and kitchens that feel architectural rather than decorative.
For homeowners planning a modern kitchen in Queens, New York City, or on Long Island, these updates open up new possibilities for timeless, functional, and deeply considered designs.
To experience the new LEICHT finishes and planning concepts in person, visit our Queens showroom or schedule a design consultation.
