Zooey Deschanel's Blue-Gray Kitchen Cabinet Color is Replacing White as The Go-To Shade for Chic Homeowners – It's Muted but Elegant

So long white cabinets, there's a new 'it' color taking over in 2026. As the year ticks on, homeowners grow ever more tired of plain white or gray and are looking for a new neutral to replace it. Enter: gray-blue. For proof that this shade will make an impact anywhere it is used, look no further than Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott's Manhattan kitchen.

The couple's blue-gray kitchen cabinets were featured in a recent Instagram post from their designer, Young Huh. Painted in Benjamin Moore's Cable Knit Sweater, the stormy cabinets reach up to the ceiling, interacting beautifully with the room's textured mouldings and marble.

Like everything else in their gorgeous New York City escape, this cabinet color is designed to be anything but boring. Jonathan Scott, Zooey's partner, states: 'The most important thing for Zooey and me is that a space tells a story, and truly represents its owners. We don’t like boring. We wanted everything from the custom furniture to the wallpaper to the lighting fixtures to feel exquisite.'

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For those who want to recreate Zooey and Jonathan's look, Homes & Gardens is here to help. We've curated an edit of products to bring blue-gray into your kitchen, whether or not you decide to paint your cabinets. We also spoke with experts on how blue-gray is emerging as a major kitchen color trend for this year, and how they recommend decorating with it.

Shop The Blue Kitchen Edit

As white paint fades out of fashion, people are looking for brighter, bolder colors to anchor their homes.

Interior design expert Danielle Castagna states: 'After years of neutrals dominating interiors, brighter colors will have a comeback during the summer months. Warm yellows, ocean blues, reds, and greens are replacing the ‘sad beige’ aesthetic that has seeped from social media interiors to real homes in recent years.'

Zooey and Jonathan's blue-gray cabinets are a great example of this shift in action, because it feels fresh, but also neutral enough to decorate around. It's also extremely elevated.

Magdalena Gierasinska, a design expert at Barker and Stonehouse, states: 'Sea blue is a versatile and soothing color that brings an immediate sense of calm to any interior. It's a soft, airy tone that evokes the peacefulness of a clear sky or the gentle embrace of the ocean, creating an atmosphere of serenity and refined elegance. When used on walls, furniture, or as an accent, pastel blue can transform a room into a soothing sanctuary, perfect for spaces where relaxation and calmness are key.'

As the Manhattan townhouse demonstrates, a blue kitchen is also a great pick because it's incredibly versatile. Magdalena advises: 'This light, muted hue pairs effortlessly with both warm and cool tones, allowing for endless possibilities in design. It works beautifully alongside neutrals like white, gray, and beige, offering a gentle contrast without overwhelming the space. Alternatively, pastel blue can be combined with other pastel shades such as soft pinks, lavenders, or mint greens to create a harmonious, dream-like atmosphere that feels both fresh and inviting.'

If you hope to tap into the blue kitchen look, you don't necessarily need to paint your cabinets. Blue-gray can also be incorporated with accessories like kitchen appliances or artwork.

Danielle advises: 'People are looking to create homes that feel energizing again. Adding bold colors through feature walls, framed artwork, painted furniture, or statement decor pieces is an easy way to refresh your space for summer without completely redesigning a room.'

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