Dark green kitchen cabinets are replacing ever-popular navy blue – designers explain how to channel the rising color trend

Dark colors in kitchens have been a core design trend over the past few years. Marking a clear shift away from the all-white and sleek kitchens that were once popular, dark colors have been embraced by designers and homeowners to create a cozy kitchen that feels inviting and design-led.

Within dark kitchen color trends, it's fair to say that for years, navy blue has led the way. But now, paint companies say that 2024 is all about dark green kitchen ideas. Here, we explore this emerging trend and how to channel this look into your own kitchen ideas. 

'We are seeing tons of dark green kitchens, and we love the natural, timeless pop of color they bring into a space,' says designer Olivia Wahler of Hearth Homes Interiors.

Dark green kitchens are on trend for 2024

'Green continues to be popular as we step into 2024,' says Helen Shaw, Director of Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore. 'For an on-trend look opt for a deep pine shade of the color. Regent Green is the perfect example of a gripping hue that will add depth to any scheme.'

'The green undertones create richness, offering a softer alternative to black and a more modern substitute for dark gray. This darker shade will envelope a moody kitchen and works beautifully when paired with natural materials.'

Helen Shaw

Helen Shaw is part of Benjamin Moore's UK division. Color expert and international marketing director, Helen and her husband Craig are founders of Shaw Paints, acquired by Benjamin Moore in 2020.

Farrow & Ball is another paint company that notes green as one of the most popular kitchen trends for 2024. Patrick O'Donnell, color expert at Farrow & Ball explains: 'We know how successful green kitchen cabinetry is but we often err towards a mid-green as our preferred choice but up the ante and look towards the deepest, darkest green of Studio Green. Almost black in appearance, it will look wonderful both in rural and urban settings, especially in a classic Shaker-style kitchen. For a more modern aesthetic, pair with a clean just off-white such as James White or Strong White on your walls, or for a softer look consider Drop Cloth or Stony Ground for a more ‘country’ affair.'

3 ways to style a dark green kitchen

Below, interior designers provide three ideas for channeling a dark green kitchen – whether you want to achieve a traditional or modern look.

1. Pair with lighter furnishings

'When decorating a kitchen with dark green paint, it's an invitation to create a space that exudes richness and warmth,' says designer Kerrie Kelly, founder of California-based design studio Kerrie Kelly Design Studio. 'Consider combining dark green walls with crisp, white kitchen cabinetry to create a striking contrast.' This combination of rich green and bright white is ideal if you're aiming to create a modern look, especially if you opt for sleek white countertops as pictured above.  

Or, consider adding lots of lighter woods to achieve a timeless look, as Whitney Tingle, Director of Interior Design at Christopher Architecture & Interiors advises: 'Combining a dark green paint such as Benjamin Moore's Homburg Gray with a light white oak allows a kitchen to nod to a modern and more sophisticated interior. Pairing the same paint color with a deep, rich walnut creates a traditional interior that feels full of emotion and effortlessly timeless.'

2. Add natural textures

Ensuring plenty of natural textures are styled into your dark green kitchen will help create a homely feel that feels instantly welcoming. 'When styling a dark green kitchen, always make sure to pull in warm, organic tones and textures to enhance the overall design,' says Olivia Wahler. 'We love pairing weathered wood bowls, neutral linen towels, and handmade ceramics to help make the space more layered, approachable, and full of character.'

3. Create a playful look with contrasting colors

If you're looking to create more of a playful look with your dark green kitchen, incorporating colors that are opposite on the color wheel, such as pink kitchen ideas, will create a bold and uplifting look. There are many ways you can do this, such as by choosing cabinetry in a contrasting shade, or by embracing brightly colored appliances as San Francisco-based interior designer Tineke Triggs suggests below:

'When choosing your appliances, a great contrast to dark colors is a range that pops. Ranges are the jewelry of the kitchen, and making them stand out lends itself to high design.'

If you're aiming to create a cozy kitchen that feels on-trend and stylish, dark green is a great choice. Depending on how moody you want the look to be, you can experiment with varying shades of this nature-inspired color. Or, if you're looking for some more inspiration, there are lots more kitchen color ideas to explore this year, from bold statement shades to pared-back neutrals.