The Nate Berkus-Favored Neutral Green Paint Color That's Taking Over Kitchens

As 2026 approaches, kitchen cabinet paint trends are shifting, with designers and color experts anticipating a move towards warm neutrals and various shades of green. This evolution marks a departure from the unsaturated pale taupes and greiges that were prevalent in 2025, embracing truer warm beige tones. Alena Capra, a designer-in-residence at CAFE Appliances, highlights that while warm neutrals will continue to provide a foundational palette, deeper, more saturated hues like forest green, navy, and rich merlot are expected to emerge as prominent statement colors. These richer tones are often envisioned in conjunction with sleek design elements such as channel pulls, handle-free cabinetry, metallic trims, or integrated lighting, aiming for a contemporary and intentional aesthetic that moves beyond mere functionality. Among the top predictions for 2026 are sophisticated shades of black, which Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL, expects to gain popularity. These black tones, particularly those with a hint of color like blackened green, offer depth and can be elegantly paired with warm, rich wood and a curated mix of old and new furnishings to create a collected, lived-in feel. Dark earthy greens are also on the rise, proving to be versatile enough to act as neutrals within a kitchen space. Parker emphasizes that these moodier greens can foster a warm and inviting atmosphere when combined with soulful, complementary cabinetry. Alexa Noel, senior director of KraftMaid, adds that deep forest greens infuse drama and personality while maintaining a cozy intimacy, and can be paired with natural textures or used in a color-drenched design to make the cabinetry the focal point. Warm browns and clay-inspired tones represent another significant trend. Kayla Kratz, Behr's senior director of color and design strategy, points to "earth-forward hues" such as terracotta, rust, cinnamon brown, and soft umber. These colors are valued for bringing comfort and character, and they create intentional contrast when paired with neutral walls or natural wood accents. Kratz suggests these earth tones as an approachable entry point for those new to incorporating color, as they are impactful yet warm. Mid-tone greens also remain a strong contender, with Jessica Duce of J. Duce Design observing a return to darker wood tones like walnut and mahogany alongside varying green shades. Duce notes that these choices restore authenticity and warmth, nodding to a heritage aesthetic that is more of a tradition than a fleeting trend, aligning with a broader wellness movement that favors lasting coziness and versatility. On the lighter side of the spectrum, warm neutrals, including dull, gentle beiges and creams, are also anticipated to be popular. Parker suggests pairing these minimal lighter kitchens with older wood, natural decor such as dried foliage and raffia, and vintage cane furniture. This approach creates a simple, uncluttered look with light stone or brick floors, handmade rugs, and a predominantly natural color palette. Teri Simone, head of design and marketing at Nieu Cabinet Doors, coins "cashmere tones" as the new luxury neutral, highlighting their ability to bring warmth and sophistication without the clinical feel of the cool whites and grays of the previous decade. Finally, light greens continue to trend, with Aly Morford, co-founder and principal designer of Pure Salt Interiors, predicting soft, muted, and silvered greens, and subtle sage. These cool-toned, elevated shades pair well with creamy whites and natural woods, offering a versatile and timeless aesthetic suitable for both kitchens and bathrooms. #KitchenDesign #CabinetColors #InteriorDesignTrends #WarmNeutrals #GreenKitchens #HomeImprovement #ColorTrends #KitchenRemodel

Home design color trends are moving away from traditional neutral palettes towards more adventurous combinations, particularly in kitchens. The once popular all-white kitchen trend is projected to be outdated by 2026, making way for bolder tones and more intricate decor. This shift reflects a desire to inject more personality and liveliness into the kitchen, often considered the heart of the home. While subtle splashes of color have been gaining traction, the latest predictions highlight a surprising and increasingly popular pairing: green and red. This color combination, traditionally associated with the holiday season, is being reinterpreted by designers for year-round appeal. The unexpected nature of red and green in kitchen aesthetics stems from a broader trend in home design that embraces warm palettes, earthy elements, and maximalist styles. Red brings a classic warmth, ideal for a kitchen environment, while various shades of green introduce an organic and cozy feel. The key to successfully implementing this pairing lies in a thoughtful approach that prevents the space from appearing overly festive or tacky, instead aiming for a timeless and sophisticated look. The effectiveness of red and green together can be understood through the principles of the color wheel, where they are identified as complementary colors. This complementary relationship creates a balanced visual appeal, blending warmth and energy from red with the cool, calming qualities of green. When combined judiciously, this duo can make a kitchen feel vibrant and full of character without overwhelming the senses. The harmony between these colors ensures that the design remains cohesive and aesthetically pleasing. The trend emphasizes exploring different variations within these color families, moving beyond classic primary red and green to achieve greater contrast and dimension. To master this bold combination, designers advise against using stark, primary red and green hues. Instead, the focus should be on organic, natural variations. Earthier, deeper tones such as olive green and oxblood red are recommended to create a sophisticated and modern style. Incorporating soft textures can further enhance this elevated aesthetic. This approach allows for the integration of other contemporary design trends, such as moody palettes. For example, a dramatic deep red can be used as a focal point on a kitchen island, framed by deep forest green woodwork, and accessorized with chic metallic accents to create a luxurious and striking effect. Highlighting the complementary contrast of red and green is crucial, and this can be achieved by carefully selecting different tones. For those with a neutral design seeking a more colorful update, sage green offers a soft, earthy base. This can then be accented with vibrant reds through elements like seating or decorative items, allowing the pairing to truly stand out. This strategic use of varying shades and applications ensures that the red and green combination is both tasteful and impactful, transforming the kitchen into a dynamic and inviting space. #KitchenDesign #ColorTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #GreenAndRed #KitchenRemodel #DesignTrends

As the new year approaches, many homeowners consider refreshing their kitchen spaces, and a fresh coat of paint offers a budget-friendly yet impactful update. Interior designers predict several color trends for kitchen paint in 2025, focusing on tones that evoke warmth, nature, and sophistication. Green is anticipated to be a dominant color in 2025, available in a wide spectrum of shades. Interior designer Amber Guyton highlights the enduring appeal of green, suggesting hues like Clare's 'Current Mood', deeper greens such as Sherwin-Williams' 'Hunt Club' and 'Country Squire', and more vibrant options like Behr's 'Salamander' and 'Citrus Peel'. Shauna Jones of Shauna Glenn Design also expresses enthusiasm for dense, forest-inspired greens, including 'Arugula' from Sherwin Williams and 'Sweet Basil' from Benjamin Moore, noting their deep, rich quality. Additionally, Jones points to earthy greens, like Sherwin Williams' 'Houseplant' and Benjamin Moore's 'Courtyard Green', which lean towards olive tones, offering a natural and less bold alternative. Becky Shea, another interior designer, concurs that greens, from rich to airy, will bring an earthy warmth and energizing vibrancy to kitchens. Earth tones are also expected to be highly sought after. Linette Dai, an interior designer, predicts a trend towards moodier and richer earthy shades, including warm neutrals, various browns, creamy beiges, and chocolate brown. She specifically mentions Pantone's 'Mocha Mousse' as a significant color for the coming months, noting that these nature-inspired hues will look fantastic on both walls and cabinetry. Jewel tones, which have been popular in recent years, are projected to continue their trend. Dai suggests deeper jewel tones such as ruby, aubergine, and sapphire. She emphasizes that these rich colors, when paired with weathered metals, can add a layer of sophistication and drama to a kitchen. While burgundy was popular in 2024, designers are looking for new variations within the jewel-tone palette. These shades are particularly effective for cabinetry, providing an opportunity to incorporate bold colors even if homeowners prefer lighter walls. Purples are also identified as an emerging and potentially surprising trend in kitchen spaces. Dai points to Benjamin Moore's 'Cinnamon Slate' as a complex blend of lavender with a brown undertone, offering a rich yet neutral and eye-pleasing option. She also suggests deeper eggplant purples for those desiring a distinctive kitchen color. For a more subtle integration, painting moldings purple can achieve a unique designer look without overwhelming the entire space. Finally, blue is highlighted as a versatile, timeless, and character-filled choice for revitalizing kitchens. Becky Shea anticipates a rise in popularity for various blue shades, ranging from deep, moody navy tones that exude sophistication to softer, more serene hues like Benjamin Moore's 'Silver Lake'. She explains that these blues evoke a sense of calm while maintaining a bold, contemporary edge. Shea believes blue will have a lasting impact due to its timelessness, serving as an exciting alternative to the traditional all-white kitchen by adding depth and personality. #KitchenPaintColors #InteriorDesignTrends #GreenKitchens #EarthTones #JewelTones #PurpleKitchens #BlueKitchens #HomeImprovement #Decorating

The home design landscape, particularly for kitchens and bathrooms, is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from traditional safe, neutral aesthetics towards a vibrant embrace of color and pattern. This shift was prominently displayed at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, where luxury brands showcased appliances and fixtures in bold hues. For instance, True presented refrigeration and wine coolers in emerald green with brass or copper pulls, while Ann Sacks featured crackled glossy tile in similar shades, notably made from recycled materials. Kohler introduced sinks in plum, lavender, and indigo, reflecting prevailing home décor trends. BlueStar, known for its extensive color options, highlighted Living Coral, Pantone’s 2019 color of the year, and even teased a patterned prototype with blue-and-white stripes and floral overlays, designed by Madcap Cottage. The collaboration between Dolce and Gabbana and Smeg brought their vivid, ebullient patterns to ranges, stove hoods, refrigerators, and small appliances, marking a departure from the conventional white cabinets, Carrera marble, and stainless steel that have long dominated kitchen design. This burgeoning appetite for color and pattern extends beyond appliances to cabinetry and surface materials, invigorating design shows in global hubs like Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan. Trend-watchers have observed an increasing exuberance, with some designs verging on full-blown maximalism. This movement aligns with the growing emphasis on customization and bespoke solutions in home décor, a theme central to events like EuroCucina. While modular forms popular in Europe have yet to fully permeate the U.S. market, personalization is gaining significant traction. Beyond bold colors, there's also a warming trend in metal finishes, with burnished brass, rose gold, and copper replacing stainless steel pulls. Black matte, often paired with gold, is also gaining popularity. Exhibitions at KBIS demonstrated innovative material mixing, including natural and stained wood, matte or lacquered finishes, and various stones, porcelain, and metals. Manufacturers are actively responding to this demand for individuality. Kohler has expanded its palette to cater to the desire for more color in the home. Dacor offers a DacorMatch Color Match service, allowing consumers to personalize appliances with custom colors. Victoria and Albert provides 194 RAL colors through its color-match system, supplementing its standard offerings. Industry insights suggest a growing interest in deep blues and greens, alongside predictions for warm palettes of apricots, tawny browns, and parchment. The rise of personalization is attributed to social media and technological advancements, as consumers seek to replicate admired aesthetics in their own homes. Digital printing technology, for example, enables the application of virtually any image, text, or pattern to appliances with durable, easy-to-clean finishes. This technological progress means consumers now have unprecedented tools to express their unique styles and avoid a "cookie-cutter" aesthetic. Designers are leveraging these new possibilities. Caitlin Wilson, for instance, made a BlueStar Pigeon Blue range and matching hood the centerpiece of her kitchen, contrasting it with white cabinets, natural oak, and antique brass accents. Angela Wellborn O'Neill of Wellborn Cabinets suggests that vibrant colors in kitchen design can enhance sensory experiences during cooking and serve as a focal point for the entire home. This trend also extends outdoors, with colorful grills inspiring patio décor. Hestan, an appliance manufacturer, actively gathers color insights from designers. John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon, authors of "Prints Charming," advocate for layering colors and patterns. Studio DB's Kips Bay Decorator Show House bathroom exemplifies this approach, featuring a plum clawfoot tub against a panther-patterned silver wallpaper and Viridian Green walls, creating a "sexy boudoir" ambiance. The role of pattern is also expanding through elegant hand-painted murals and a wider range of porcelain tiles, quartz, stones, and laminates, which now feature more exotic materials and complex veining. Backlighting and translucent surfaces like quartz and onyx further add dimension. Despite the growing acceptance of color and pattern, remodeling these spaces remains a significant investment, often leading to careful consideration of product choices and budget. However, there are accessible ways to introduce color, such as making a statement with a colorful range or tub, adding a vibrant backsplash, utilizing the floor as a canvas for geometric patterns, making the island a focal point, incorporating texture through strong wood grains or 3D tiles, or simply updating taps and cabinetry hardware for a quick refresh. #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #ColorInDesign #HomeRenovation #ApplianceColors #Customization #PatternInDesign #MaterialMixing

Selecting a kitchen paint color that is both inviting, versatile, and enduring can be a challenge. Paint industry experts identify three timeless color options that consistently remain in style: classic white, light warm neutrals, and nature-inspired sage green. These choices offer a foundation that complements various decor styles, cabinetry, countertops, and backsplashes, ensuring longevity in kitchen design. Classic white is a perennially popular choice, acting as a blank canvas that reflects light and pairs seamlessly with any color scheme. Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams, highlights their most popular white, Pure White, for its versatility. Its slight yellow undertone prevents it from appearing too stark, offering a balanced blend of cool and creamy that supports both clean, crisp aesthetics and bold color accents. Erika Woelfel, BEHR’s VP of color and creative services, suggests soft white shades like Swiss Coffee, which harmonizes well with wood tones, stone countertops, and stainless steel, creating an inviting and cozy atmosphere. Ashley McCollum, Glidden paint color expert, recommends Glidden’s Delicate White, noting its ability to make colorful kitchenware and decor stand out, allowing homeowners to easily change their aesthetic without worrying about clashes. Light warm neutrals provide another timeless option for kitchen walls. Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore, points to Pale Oak as a versatile neutral with warm gray undertones that imparts a luxurious and cozy feel. This shade integrates well with various cabinet colors, countertops, and backsplash materials. Its adaptable nature also makes it suitable for open-concept layouts, ensuring a smooth color flow between spaces. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, suggests Valspar's Heritage Gray, a transitional light greige. This color offers a subtle contrast to white cabinets and complements natural materials, maintaining a timeless appeal, especially when white is a dominant cabinet color. For those desiring a touch of subtle color without overpowering the space, sage green is presented as an ideal choice. Kim recommends Valspar’s Sprig of Sage, describing it as a cool, nature-inspired hue that brings warmth, personality, and grounded energy to the kitchen. This particular shade of sage green does not lean too warm or too cool, providing a sophisticated and elevated look that balances beautifully with the enduring simplicity of white elements. In multi-functional kitchens, where families cook, work, gather, and entertain, sage green contributes to a welcoming and refined environment that remains stylish over time. #KitchenDesign #KitchenPaintColors #TimelessDecor #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ColorTrends #NeutralColors #SageGreen #WhiteKitchens