Choosing the color for your kitchen can seem like a big decision. The kitchen is a space that the whole family uses every day, and while it's not as easy to transform as a bedroom or living room, it can usually be redecorated or repainted in a matter of hours. In a kitchen, color choices carry some weight because cabinets, walls, countertops, appliances, flooring, and backsplash tile all form a cohesive palette. While it's not practical for most people to redecorate every time the latest trends change, there are some reliable kitchen color trends that aren't going away anytime soon.
We asked several interior designers to determine their go-to kitchen colors for 2022. The colors they choose will provide a ton of timeless inspiration for years to come. “We tend to move away from all-white kitchens to bold, adventurous cabinetry,” says designer Kyrie Scheer of Austin-based Scheer & Company. This is one of the designer's favorite kitchen trends for 2022 and beyond.
1. Green inspired by nature
Green is the color everyone is talking about as the kitchen color of 2022, and it turns out to be especially popular in cooking spaces. “Green is a safe and timeless color to add to your kitchen because it occurs in nature,” says Tara Miller of Omaha-based firm Heartland Interior Design. She predicts shades from deep emerald to soft sage will continue to be a trend, especially on cabinets where green paint colors really shine.
Recommended paint color: Dry Time SW 6186, Sherwin-Williams
2. Bold black
“Black is definitely making its way into the kitchen as a 'pop' color this year,” said designer Xiaolin Low of Hawaii-based Studio Xiaolin in 2022. Her recommendation is to use a bold color like black instead of covering the island. The whole kitchen. Or consider darkening the lower cabinets while keeping the upper cabinets bright. Using black as an accent means you don't have to be too fussy, but it still makes a statement.
Recommended paint color: Off Black No. 57, Farrow & Ball
3. Warm up gray
“I definitely feel like greige is the new white,” California designer Christine Bloom said of kitchen colors in 2022. This brownish-gray color reflects the warming trend we've seen in recent years. People are looking for neutral colors that feel cozy, not breezy. Warm gray provides more depth and interest than pure white while maintaining the versatility of the kitchen's favorite neutral.
Recommended paint color: Agreeable Gray SW 7029, Sherwin-Williams
4. Sunny Yellows
Philadelphia-based designer Libby Laws loves yellow kitchens because they feel “fresh and different.” This kitchen color trend adds warmth and cheerfulness to your kitchen, but you don't have to go all in with yellow to get a brightening effect. “You've probably seen yellow in furniture, but if you don't want to get too fussy, you can add yellow to your kitchen with wallpaper, fabrics, and accessories,” says Laws. “And it blends beautifully with the greenery we have now.”
Recommended paint color: Hawthorn Yellow HC-4, Benjamin Moore
5. Rich earth colors
Bloom predicts that kitchen colors in 2022 and beyond will move away from soft whites and blues to warm, earthy hues such as terracotta, blush and even plum. “Beachy and farmhouse color palettes are receding and rich, earthy tones are on the rise,” she says. You can also expect to see more natural wood cabinetry in kitchens as homeowners start to appreciate natural wood textures and colors.
Recommended paint color: Faded Terracotta No.CC8 Farrow & Ball
