Jessica Alba’s once-overlooked kitchen cabinet color is set for a 2026 comeback, hailed by experts as the 'most versatile neutral'

Gray has a bad reputation for being foreboding, unglamorous, and downright dull. But as designers look beyond stark white and cool-toned minimalism, they are finding that when done right, gray is one of the most versatile and elegant neutrals a home can possess.

The trend for gray kitchen ideas has not died; it has simply evolved – a fact perfectly demonstrated by the sultry, deep-toned cabinets chosen by actress and businesswoman Jessica Alba for her family kitchen.

Of all the neutrals, gray is one that instantly brings gravitas. Gray is a color that has its own weather system of light levels and hues. From the gentle gray morning rain of a bright, wide sky to the breathtaking drama of dark storm clouds, the scope for creating beautiful interiors is endless. It is a shade with myriad subtle color notes that draw inspiration from natural materials like beach pebbles, clay, and mushroom caps.

Decorating with gray harmonizes well with almost every other hue, making it a most adaptable neutral, especially when chosen with warmer undertones like green or beige. This evolution is why, even after its recent dip in popularity, gray is returning to the forefront of kitchen design for 2025 and 2026. As Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore, says, 'It is the reason why gray kitchens are, even though it has had a recent dip in popularity, still at the forefront of our kitchen cabinet color choices.'

The kind of gray that is dominating is complex, like Jessica Alba’s deep blue-gray, which proves that modern gray works best when it contains a hidden depth, adding sophistication and drama without feeling cold.

A new kitchen is a big investment, while updating an existing one can involve a lot of upheaval, so whichever style or color you opt for, it must have staying power. Gray room ideas have the benefit of being neutral, which means that they will look timeless on their own, contrast well with other colors, and complement many different materials and surfaces.

‘Gray is calming and softens a room,' says Suzanne Francis, kitchen designer at Tom Howley. 'In psychology, it represents peace and balance, which is so important within a home. It’s practical, simple and reliable.'

This shift toward soft, muted, and earthy gray tones is a definitive trend for 2026. ‘When it comes to kitchen color trends – soft, muted gray tones can create a warm atmosphere for dinner parties without the worry of passing color trends,’ adds Tom Howley, design director.

Mood is one consideration, but it is also helpful to consider how gray might affect the size of a room. ‘The paler the tone, the more it will reflect the available light. The darker the tone, the more light it will absorb,’ says Justyna Korczynska, color expert and designer at Crown Paints. ‘At the extremes, white will make a room look more spacious, and black brings the walls visually inwards. This rule applies to all colors. So a pale gray is ideal if you want to make a small kitchen look bigger; a deep charcoal would make it appear smaller.

Having said that, a dark color used in a small kitchen can be really effective.’ Whether you choose a soft 'greige' or a moody blue-gray, this enduring neutral is finally being used to its full, complex potential.

Shop the gray kitchen edit

Add gray to your kitchen without a full remodel by introducing stylish gray accessories. From countertop accents to tableware, they bring instant style and sophistication.