The most popular kitchen paint colors come and go, with some lasting for decades before being replaced and others fading in less than a season. We always say to follow trends carefully, but when it comes to kitchen colors, you need to pay some attention to what's stylish to avoid making your space look outdated.
So what colors will be trending in kitchen paint for 2024? Which kitchen colors won't be in fashion this year? Hear from the experts on which color trends to avoid in your kitchen this year and which shades to use instead I asked.
Kitchen paint colors to keep in 2024
Color, especially the color of your kitchen, is one of the most fundamental design decisions you can make in this functional space. Finding the right painting kitchen ideas can help you avoid disastrous color mistakes.
Here, decorators and designers reveal which kitchen paint colors will go out of fashion in 2024 and how to choose kitchen paint ideas using color wheels, the latest kitchen trends, and paint trends.
1. Cool neutrals – try earth tones
(Image credit: deVOL)
“In recent years, cool neutrals have been replaced by warmer shades, along with bolder color choices. It’s a great place to introduce color,” explains Helen Shaw, marketing director at Benjamin Moore.
“Choosing bold colors for your walls and cabinets is a great way to freshen up an entire room and make your space pop. Deep, earthy tones like burgundy and terracotta hues complement the rustic warmth of a wooden kitchen. The deep green and navy walls contrast perfectly with the cool marble surfaces.”
Helen Shaw is part of Benjamin Moore's UK division. Helen, a color expert and international marketing director, and her husband Craig are the founders of Shaw Paints, which was acquired by Benjamin Moore in 2020.
2. One-tone scheme – Incorporate a pop of color
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
“In 2024, say goodbye to bland tone-on-tone palettes,” says designer Julie Ann Birch. The kitchen will feature a fresh, clean design with attractive pops of color. Or let a bold, unique color palette take center stage, offering a departure from the norm. The key to kitchen design in 2024 is to create sharp contrasts, either by incorporating timeless traditional elements or venturing into uncharted territory with innovative ideas. ”
Incorporating accent colors into your kitchen color scheme can be a bit tricky, but don't overthink it to get the hang of this trend. Avoid pops of exact color, as it can look graduated and flat, and instead opt for a tonal approach that adds different shades of the same color throughout the room to create depth.
3. Very bright red – choose pink or rusty colors instead
(Image credit: deVOL)
Red is a strong, bold color for the kitchen, the mainstay of the home, but recently we've seen a color shift towards softer, more subtle hues with the addition of pink.
Rich and elegant, pink is definitely the color trend of the moment. Warm pinks like the ones above add sophistication to the scheme. With its versatile range of hues, you can turn it into a playful pastel or brighten it up with a deep coral.
“This tone works perfectly in small kitchens that are fairly dark or lack natural light,” says Elizabeth Hay, founder of Elizabeth Hay Design. She says, “It not only injects brightness and cheerfulness into the space, but also brings out and highlights the room's accent colors.”
Warm pinks with a clear connection to the natural world are used to paint accent walls or brighten kitchens and dining areas with splashes of color that symbolize and promote health and vitality.
“Because of its close relationship with shades of pink and orange, this color uplifts the mood and stimulates energy without being overpowering like many red kitchen shades. On the other hand, more calming and subtle tones can ’s pastel pink can be a good choice to promote quiet confidence and serenity,” enthuses Sarah Lloyd, Senior Brand Manager at Valspar.
4. Gray – Choose a warm beige shade
(Image credit: Davonport)
Once popular as a neutral color, it has fallen out of favor as a color for kitchen cabinets. Instead, more designers and decorators are reaching for the new neutral in interior design: beige.
The power of the beige kitchen color palette to add warmth and elegance to the heart of our home should not be underestimated. A soft color scheme of harmonious neutrals creates a backdrop that reflects the changing light of the seasons.
The wide spectrum of neutral and earthy hues they evoke provides rich inspiration for creating pleasing schemes. From the creamy limestone hues and oat tones of untreated linen to the ocher grey-brown of weathered oak and warm porcelain, neutral hues are just as captivating as color.
5. White – Try using yellow as a neutral alternative
(Image courtesy of deVOL Kitchens)
Another former favorite, white kitchens are no longer the desirable kitchen trend they once were. These days, designers and clients are reaching for uplifting hues to enhance the mood. Happiness of living to their kitchen.
“These days, it's less common to specify or see all-white or gray kitchens,” explains Jennifer Walter, founder of Foldingchair Design. “The bright white and gray trend is coming of age, and there is a resurgence of light wood and deep colors in kitchen cabinetry. People are less afraid of using color in the kitchen, and with the popularity of British kitchens, Deep blue, yellow and even cranberry palettes are becoming very popular.”
In 2010, Jennifer Walter founded her folding chair design company in her Baltimore rowhouse, with a baby on her hip and a soon-to-be baby in her arms. Her mission from the beginning has been to improve the lives of her clients by realizing their homes' maximum potential.
6. Navy Blue – Switch to a soft aquamarine hue
(Image credit: Plain English)
Navy blue has always been popular, but lately designers have been considering softer, delicate, and gentler variations in modern kitchens. Always a popular shade in the interior design world, ocean blue is set to be the kitchen paint color of 2024.
From the enchanting aquamarine tones of Caribbean sands and the sparkling teal tones of pebbly Mediterranean beaches to the inky blues and midnight notes of the deep Atlantic Ocean, the colors of the ocean are as serene as they are striking. and offers a versatile spectrum to decorate the ocean. The same goes for modern and country kitchens.
“Ocean blues like lapis and cerulean are the most wonderfully gender-neutral paint colors,” says Nicole Salvesen, co-founder of Salvesen Graham. However, avoid using cold blue colors in north-facing rooms. Instead, find one with warm tones. This will give you a great backdrop for your artwork, textures, and wood. ”
7. Dark colors – Liven up your space with mature pastel colors
(Image credit: Caesarstone/Kate Feather Kitchens / Birgit Mons Photography)
Dark colors for kitchen cabinets were once considered the best paint palette for kitchens. They were bold and powerful, hiding many decorative sins. But like most trends, we've come full circle and are once again welcoming back the pastel colors that once adorned 1950s kitchens at home and abroad.
From gentle pinks to blissful blues, pale, sweet hues give the illusion of space and create an atmosphere of peace in your home.
“Pastel colors are a charming alternative to neutrals and dark colors. They can be gentle yet enveloping, soothing yet uplifting, and can liven up a room without being overwhelming.” says Ruth Mottershead of Little Green.
Ruth Mottershead is the creative director of Little Green and Paint & Paper Library, a family-run paint and wallpaper business specializing in creating luxurious paints and wallpapers representing 300 years of decorative history.
All of these shades indicate that while 2023 was the year of bold, bright colors, 2024 calls for warmer, softer, more livable colors. That's not to say these kitchen colors are bland. Pink and rust red instead of primary colors, mature pastel blue instead of the popular navy, and warm beige instead of cool gray are just easier on the eyes.
