Design Lovers Are Swapping Out Whites and Grays for Expressive Terracotta Shades in 2026 – Jimmy Fallon's Kitchen Cabinet Color Leads the Way
Interior experts are replacing classic neutrals with sophisticated terracotta hues, but Jimmy's kitchen has been ahead of the curve for over a year already
Every January, thoughts turn to the trends poised to shape how we design in the year ahead. However, when it comes to kitchen crazes, we need the promise of longevity. As fun as some trends are, kitchen features need to stand the test of time, so choose something sophisticated and luxurious without being overpowering. The fiery terracotta paint on Jimmy Fallon's kitchen cabinets.
Despite being among the most revered kitchen cabinet trends of 2026, terracotta offers lasting quality. While whites, grays, and neutral wooden tones have long been favored for their timelessness, terracotta offers something different.
It's never going to look sterile or vanilla, but it doesn't overpower the space either. It's no wonder, then, that so many design experts are looking to such a hue to shape how they'll decorate this year.
'There’s a growing love for richer, more expressive shades like warm terracotta,' comments Kate Palmer, the creative director at The Painted Furniture.
'These colors feel like a gentle embrace, offering comfort but also a hint of creativity and confidence. It’s as if we’re ready to welcome a little more personality back into our lives, but in a way that still feels considered.'
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Shop the Terracotta Kitchen Edit
Boasting a fluted silhouette with embossed lines, this matte terracotta vase brings a touch of artisanal charm to your kitchen. Perfect for contemporary, boho, or transitional spaces, it’s ideal for displaying fresh herbs, kitchen blooms, or seasonal foliage.
Elevate your kitchen or dining area with this charming centerpiece vase, perfect for showcasing fresh herbs, flowers, or greenery. Its elegant design adds dimension and balance to countertops, islands, or open shelving. It's a beautiful way to get Jimmy's look without the paint brush.
Featuring a warm glazed ceramic base and a soft linen shade, this timeless table lamp brings a cozy, golden glow to your kitchen. Perfect for brightening a countertop, breakfast nook, or open shelving, it adds both light and understated charm to your culinary space.
Crafted from a soft cotton and linen blend, the Hemstitched Dinner Table Napkins bring effortless style to your kitchen or dining table. Their versatile solid color design pairs beautifully with patterned or printed tableware, making them perfect for any gathering.
Add earthy warmth and timeless charm to your kitchen or dining space with this planter. Made from natural terracotta with a softly weathered finish, its classic shape and included saucer provide a stylish, functional home for herbs, small kitchen plants, or greenery.
This charming garlic comfortably holds up to 7 standard garlic bulbs. Its versatile design also stores onions, potatoes, or ginger, helping keep your kitchen organized while freeing up counter space.
It's impossible to say that terracotta will replace the classic white kitchen entirely, but this shade is giving tradition a run for its money. It proves that sophisticated shades can still be statement-making, and, above all, fun.
Similarly, alongside terracotta, Kate notes that she's observed a growing love for richer, more expressive shades like deep blues. 'For example, Little Greene’s 'Adventurer', a deep, plummy aubergine, is also emerging as a standout shade for 2026,' she says. It reflects a shift toward bolder, moodier colours that add personality to a room, rather than relying solely on neutral tones.'
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Ultimately, the kitchen trends of 2026 show that timeless design and personality can coexist, just as Jimmy Fallon’s terracotta cabinets prove. Shades like terracotta and deep plum blues bring warmth and character without overwhelming a space. In embracing these richer tones, our kitchens are becoming rooms that feel both sophisticated and inviting, full of personality and enduring style.

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.