All-white kitchens were once the undisputed standard in any space. But in recent years, designers have seen people move away from this colour when remodelling, and this is because it lacks warmth and looks sterile. Plus, it’s not higher-end or custom at all. Luckily, there’s a world of options when it comes to kitchen cabinet colours, so there’s nothing to worry about. Some hues, in particular, are evident options for designers when decorating kitchens, and we’ll explore them in this blog post to inspire your next remodelling project.
Deep blues
Designers are all for blue kitchens these days, and they see this hue as one of the most flexible out there. A classic navy, which you can take in a preppy coastal direction or moody urban direction is a commonly requested colour for kitchens. It might not be white, but surprisingly, it offers the same kind of flexibility.
Plus, deep blue shades come with dramatic flair, and interior designers say that they feel classic and unexpected at the same time, which is precisely what makes them so special. You can choose among different kinds of deep blues, but if you need a recommendation from experts, denim blue is a great option, because it’s refined and rich but without being overpowering. It offers the ideal foundation or standout moment. If you’re worried about going too bold with colour in the kitchen, you can always stick to black and white for the rest of the design. For example, you can incorporate a black and white floor tile and pair it with a marble countertop/backsplash with black veining. This is a combo that works exceptionally well.
Beige and wood hues
You can bring the hues of nature indoors with wood or beige-coloured cabinets. According to interior designers, the ideal cabinet hue (or combination, if you prefer mixing a few) should evoke a sense of contrast, warmth, and harmony. Wood has that natural texture and grain that allows it to add character to the kitchen instantly, and if you pair it with soft beige countertops or walls, it’s magical, because the beige tones mellow everything out, turning the kitchen into a calm, welcoming space that’s just perfect for late-night snacks or morning coffee.
Beige and wood kitchens are also versatile. If you love a minimalist look, they’re perfect for you. If you’re into that cozy farmhouse vibe, they still work great. Basically, you can switch up your décor seamlessly whenever you need a change, and you don’t have to start from scratch thanks to the neutral palette.
Muted pinks
There’s something soothing about pink kitchens, especially as a new take on neutrals. They offer a sophisticated and soft feel simultaneously, and they aren’t boring at all. And this may be surprising, but they actually tick many boxes when it comes to the most coveted kitchen styles for 2026. Compared to an all-white kitchen, light pink cabinets offer a more unexpected approach. They bring a glow to the space, and because they are versatile, they can work well with various hard surfaces.
For example, if you’re aiming for a sophisticated yet welcoming feel, you cannot go wrong with softer and more mature shades of pink. These hues are more approachable and a great way to incorporate pink into your kitchen design if you generally lean towards neutrals. The key is to choose the right shade of pink. If you go for something too preppy or bright, it can be juvenile, but the undertones and the way they read in your kitchen are the ones that matter the most. Besides, you should consider natural light as well, as pink can be temperamental when it comes to lighting. Warmer, lighter pinks are the go-to option if your kitchen has more shadowed lighting. But if the lighting is brighter, it makes sense to go for cooler pink paint colours with more saturation because this will help balance out the light.
Greens
When it comes to kitchen colours that allow you to create that natural look, green tones are also a go-to option, because they bring a sense of connection to nature and calm (which is exactly what many of us crave these days). Biophilic design has become increasingly popular in the post-COVID world, especially because people place a higher value on access to nature after those periods of lockdown. But we also know that there are lots of evidence-based health benefits to designing a space that’s nature-inspired.
There are lots of options to choose from when decorating with green, but if you’re looking for an earthy and rich shade, you will not go wrong with an olive green, which can either drop into the background or become the shining star of your colour scheme. For a traditional (and rustic) look, you can always mix olive green kitchen paint with a ticking stripe, which is such a timeless fabric.
Burgundy
You can always think outside the box when choosing a kitchen colour scheme, and interior designers recommend burgundy for a couple of reasons. It’s a sophisticated jewel tone hue, but it comes off as more unexpected compared to blue or green, particularly in cabinetry. It also complements natural stones and suits many different cabinet door styles.
Designers believe that there’s also something grounding and romantic about this colour, especially when you consider it for a dining space. If you’re feeling braver, you can try combining three (or more) colours in the kitchen cabinets scheme. For example, burgundy can be paired with a bright sunny yellow and a subtle blush pink shade to add dimension in a kitchen. The idea is to go for colours that are opposite on the colour wheel but connect two of the shades with similar undertones (the burgundy and the pink, in this case).
Final thoughts
Choosing the colour for your kitchen cabinets is probably the biggest decision you’ll have to make when renovating your space, and it’s important to choose the right one so you won’t make a mistake, change your mind, or be forced to repaint too soon. In this blog, we’ve explored the kitchen colours that designers appreciate the most, and surprisingly, not one of them is white (although it doesn’t mean this colour is one you should avoid).
If you’re renovating your kitchen for the long term (as many of us do), interior designers recommend avoiding going for super trendy colours, because this will likely make your space look dated very quickly. Instead, you should go for the hues that complement the design of the kitchen and work cohesively with the palette of your home.