6 Everlasting Kitchen Paint Color Trends by Nick Johnson
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Instead of seeking therapy, they suggested a kitchen makeover. Enthusiastically, you embraced the trend, painting your kitchen in shades of Barbie pink that Greta Gerwig would appreciate. However, after a year of living in this pink paradise, you find yourself on the verge of insanity. Designers in 2025 are now prioritizing longevity when it comes to kitchen design.
According to ELLE DECOR A-List architect Hannes Peer, the focus is shifting towards creating a calming and timeless ambiance rather than bold colors. Inspired by a Mark Rothko exhibition in Paris, Peer emphasizes the importance of color combinations that exude eternal qualities.
Benjamin Moore’s color marketing guru, Hannah Yeo, notes a shift towards more comforting and adaptable colors that still embrace a sense of ease. The brand’s color of the year, Cinnamon Slate, embodies this concept with its heathered plum and velvety brown tones.
UK-based designer Nicola Harding observes a rise in “in-between colors” that blur the lines between shades like pink and brown or cream and yellow. These subtle hues pique curiosity and offer a fresh approach to color choices.
While muted tones and rich hues remain popular, the retro trend continues to influence kitchen design. The disco fever trend has taken over, leading to a surge in warm neutrals and rich earth tones like rust and deep olive. Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson predicts a Chrome-mas aesthetic, with kitchens adorned in metallic accents complementing this cool vibe.
In 2025, expect to see color used on unexpected surfaces like countertops and fixtures, adding pops of color to kitchen spaces. Embrace warm neutrals, earthy tones, and unexpected color placements to create a modern and sophisticated kitchen that stands the test of time.
Ready to transform your kitchen? Discover the top paint colors recommended by color forecasters and interior designers for 2025 and beyond, from oxblood red to custard yellows. Say goodbye to endless painting sessions and welcome your forever kitchen.
Bonnin’s vibrant, fiery red theme is captivating, but opting for a more subdued and elegant palette can elevate the space, creating a cozy and luxurious atmosphere. Deep, rich red tones such as crimson, burgundy, and oxblood are currently in high demand in the paint industry, as mentioned by Joa Studholme, the color curator at Farrow & Ball. Earthy hues like clay and deep greens are becoming popular choices for kitchens, bringing a sense of connection to nature and a touch of old-school charm to our homes.
Studholme predicts that Etruscan Red, a deep clay tone from Farrow & Ball, will be a highlight in kitchens next year, especially when paired with warm neutrals like Stirabout and Jitney. In a chic Connecticut retreat, a butler’s pantry is adorned in a beautiful creamy brown shade. Brown has emerged as a favored color trend, with shades like mocha taking the spotlight in interior design, fashion, and even paint collections.
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025, Mocha Mousse, reflects this trend, along with other warm tones ranging from honey to chocolate. The luxurious hue of Truffle, a rich blend of chocolate and taupe, has become a popular choice for interiors, particularly in kitchens. Brown brings a sense of comfort and sophistication to cooking spaces, complementing various color schemes and materials to create a cozy yet stylish ambiance.
Purple has also made a splash in the design world, with shades like Violet, Purple Basil, and Cinnamon Slate gaining popularity. Muted plum purple, with its rich and warm undertones, adds depth and character to kitchens, striking a balance between luxury and tranquility. This color trend, embraced by leading paint companies, offers a unique and inviting touch to kitchen decor, creating a space that is subtly bold yet calming.
Incorporating these deeper and richer hues into your home, as advised by Emily Kantz from Sherwin-Williams, can provide a vibrant and immersive color experience. Consider using these shades for cabinets or accent pieces to infuse your kitchen with a sense of sophistication and charm.
“Rich, immersive colors have been gaining popularity in a trend known as color drenching,” she explains. “Deeper shades, often paired with wallcoverings, provide a dose of pattern and personality.”
Deep Olive Green
Tim Lenz
The retro ’70s avocado green kitchen trend has made a comeback, but it’s swiftly evolving. According to Farrow & Ball’s Studholme, the trend is shifting towards deep green kitchens becoming a hit next year. “We are moving towards earth tones in the kitchen, with deep greens bringing a sense of connection with nature and adding a vintage touch to our homes,” she explains. Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green, a classic choice for cabinets, is a popular favorite for its subtle yet sophisticated appearance.
As the desire for well-being and serenity grows, designers are increasingly drawn to this elegant hue. Benjamin Moore’s Yeo notes, “Green hues have enduring appeal, offering richness, calmness, and a refreshing feel. These colors beautifully complement cabinet millwork and create a moody kitchen ambiance, ideal for entertaining.”
Muted Yellow
Greek architect Lilia Melissa gave this kitchen a paint treatment reminiscent of seaweed. Björn Wallander
In 2025, yellow kitchens are set to make a splash, but with a twist. A nuanced, undertone-rich yellow with hints of greens, grays, and blues is predicted to be a favorite. This modern take on yellow, resembling chartreuse or desaturated gold, brings a unique charm to kitchens. Harding’s preferred variation, a brownish yellow called custard, draws inspiration from English gardens. The designer explains, “Nature’s palette harmonizes with our British skies, resulting in soft, muted tones that complement our gentle lighting.”
When integrating this color into kitchen spaces, Harding suggests using it on joinery for contrast. “To maintain a harmonious palette and avoid a blocky feel, I mix in different, subtle shades to create soft contrasts,” she advises.
Earthy Tones
In his parents’ California midcentury home, designer Garrett Hunter applied a wash of Sherwin-Williams’s Van Dyke Brown. Chris Mottalini
Trends come and go, but deep earth tones always seem to make a comeback—perhaps because they are timeless. Kantz observes, “Natural wood elements, such as cabinetry and flooring, have dominated kitchen design recently, with a focus on authentic wood tones that infuse warmth into the space, especially in the kitchen, the heart of the home.” People are gravitating towards colors and materials that bring comfort and enhance natural elements like marble, granite, and quartzite.
Renowned designer Christine Gachot from ELLE DECOR echoes this sentiment, declaring, “Chocolate brown is the winner,” noting that earthy browns are the firm’s color of the year. “Whether it’s Caramel, Cinnamon, or Camel, a warm tawny brown defines our Gachot Palette DNA
The kitchen features an earthy wood-tone design that seamlessly brings the outdoors inside, blending simplicity and elegance in a modern yet nature-inspired way. Interior designer Gachot suggests complementing this hue with a soft blush for a delicate balance of warmth and freshness, or pairing it with deep jewel tones for a luxurious touch. This versatile shade can be a backdrop for both subtle elegance and bold statements, offering a familiar yet refreshingly new aesthetic.
