Kate Hudson's Kitchen Remodel Went Viral for The Blue Countertops, But Another Underrated Detail Is The Secret Hero of Her Space (And Huge 2026 Trend)

Forget countertops; in 2026, kitchen design is all about the hardware. When Kate Hudson revealed the CAFÉ Appliances remodel of her childhood home, the online discourse was all about the baby blue marble splattered across the backsplash and counters, with people starkly divided on the bold look. Whether you loved it or hated it, one detail in the space is uncontroversially gorgeous: the gold hardware.

Gold is a major yet underrated detail in the actor's kitchen idea. The brushed hardware snakes across the appliances, acts as pulls on the cabinets, the faucet material and even serves as part of the light fixtures and the shelves in the background. Aside from the blue countertops and white cabinets, it is the most prominent color in the space.

Though the golds across the room are slightly different shades from one another, they all have the same effect. Each metallic pop helps make the room brighter, feel larger, and look more luxurious. It's right in line with kitchen hardware trends for 2026.

Meghan MacKay, design specialist at luxury hardware designers Joseph Giles, explains: 'In 2026, there’s a strong appreciation for the mark of the maker. We’re seeing a move towards hardware that celebrates craftsmanship, pieces that carry the quiet evidence of being shaped, brushed or finished by hand. Knurled or hammered details, soft patinas and burnished textures all highlight the depth and integrity of the material itself.'

Rather than the colors or other materials, the metal itself is the new statement.

Shop the Gold Kitchen Edit

Furthermore, the presence of gold in many different forms and shades, as seen in Kate Hudson's kitchen, is an extension of this stylish hardware idea.

Meghan states: 'Perfect uniformity is giving way to subtle variation. Those small inconsistencies, a hand-brushed line or a gentle change in tone, bring life and authenticity to a space. Every hand-finished surface feels slightly different. These nuances make each piece, and by extension, each home, feel individual. It’s that sense of authenticity and character that gives a space warmth and distinction, making it truly its own.'

Though hardware may not be the first element the eye gravitates towards in a kitchen, making the right choice can transform a kitchen. Though its impacts have been henceforth underrated, they are coming to the forefront in 2026.