This is the 1 Color Designers Say You Should Avoid in Your Kitchen if You Don't Want to Repaint in 2026

White has been a safe color to use in kitchens for years, and for good reason. It's classic, it feels clean, and it goes with just about everything. And while it still has a place in designs, a fully white scheme is far from the look designers are championing right now.

And if this year's kitchen color trends are anything to go by, 2026 is all about bolder, braver, more... colorful hues. Whether it's deep, earth tones or reimagined neutrals, the most stylish spaces embody character and personality, rather than the minimalism white kitchens create.

Yes, Pantone did just announce its Color of the Year as Cloud Dancer, so maybe our love of white is about to be reignited, but when it comes to the kitchen, designers have a strong opinion that for 2026, it's a color to avoid.

Here's why interior designers are gravitating away from stark white in the kitchen, and the timeless color palettes they are reaching for instead. Listen to their advice, and you won't need to repaint your kitchen any time soon.

White kitchens have sort of become the go-to over the years. Simple, bright, and the perfect base, it's the safe color scheme you don't have to worry too much about.

But they can feel cold and stark, something that goes against the ethos of a warm, soft kitchen. This year, kitchen trends are embracing lived-in style and personalized schemes, something white doesn't quite create.

'White has always been a go-to kitchen color, but I would always try and avoid whites with crisp, blue undertones as they can feel a bit clinical. These cooler whites can flatten the warmth of natural materials and often read harsh or sterile, especially in spaces that get abundant daylight,' says interior designer Marie Flanigan.

And she's not the only one moving away from all-white schemes. Kailee Blalock, co-founder of House of Hive Design Co., says, 'A bright, cold white is the one color I’d recommend avoiding in 2026. For years, ultra-white kitchens dominated because they felt clean and minimal, but that stark, almost blue-toned white is reading harsh and sterile now.'

She continues: 'It flattens a space, highlights every imperfection, and lacks the warmth people are craving. Homeowners want kitchens that feel lived-in, layered, and personal, not clinical.'

There's also the misconception that if you want to create a timeless kitchen, you have to embrace white, whether it's cabinetry, tiles, or walls. 'Stark white is always a favourite; people often think it’s the safest way to create a timeless kitchen. But in reality, an all-white space can fall flat and feel uninspired if it isn’t balanced with warmth and texture,' adds interior designer Ami McKay.

What Color Should You Choose Instead of White?

So what is the alternative? 'Bright white and boring griege kitchens are starting to feel sterile and joyless when compared to the rich, bold colored kitchens we’ve been doing lately,' says interior designer Bethany Adams.

'While there is still space for light neutrals in a kitchen, a warmer cream is a more modern look, and right now, any color under the rainbow is a go for cabinets, appliances, and walls. It’s a fun time to design a kitchen, for sure!'

And there are a few colors interior designers are choosing over an all-white palette for a more layered, inviting kitchen scheme. These are the 3 that came out on top.

1. Deep Burgundy Tones

Deeper, moodier hues are becoming increasingly appealing in kitchens, adding depth and contrast to designs. In particular, burgundy kitchens are proving popular, especially if you're looking for a far departure from white.

'We’re moving toward tones with character and depth. A few that feel incredibly fresh for 2026 include burgundy. It's rich, grounded, and surprisingly versatile. It instantly elevates a kitchen,' explains Kailee.

There are so many ways to bring this rich color into your kitchen. You could paint the cabinets for a grounding look – Dark Burgundy by Benjamin Moore is a chic choice – or you could go for a more statement look with burgundy marble countertops.

In this kitchen, cabinetry and a paneled backsplash in burgundy have been paired with warm white walls and a white stone countertop, proving how easy it is to take your kitchen from plain white to something bolder.

2. Soft Shades of Yellow

For something a little bit more vibrant, why not consider a subtle shade of yellow instead of the usual white? It's still light and airy, but brings in a touch more personality and confidence to your design.

'It’s sunny, warm, inviting, and happy. I grew up with a yellow kitchen, and to me, it feels like laughter, homemade cookies, and Sunday roast dinners. It’s the kind of color that puts a smile on anyone’s face the moment they see it,' says Ami.

If you're not confident to go too bold with color, butter yellow kitchens are still very much in the spotlight, and a color that designers still adore. 'Butter Yellow is warm and optimistic without being overpowering. It brings a soft glow to cabinetry,' adds Kailee.

For a bold look, paint your walls or cabinets with Benjamin Moore's Crème Fraiche, which pairs beautifully with the brand's best-selling Chantilly Lace. For a subtler look, introduce kitchenware and decor in the sunshine hue to brighten and add personality to a white kitchen.

3. Warmer Neutrals

If you have your heart set on a neutral kitchen, some warmer alternatives to white will instantly create a more inviting feel. Think elevated cream tones or warm neutrals inspired by the natural landscape. They're a bit richer, a bit warmer, and feel a lot softer.

'I’m encouraging clients toward warmer, nuanced whites, including shades with soft cream, linen, or stone undertones. They glow beautifully in natural light and create a welcoming backdrop for everything from wood cabinetry to unlacquered brass and handmade tile. These hues feel timeless, livable, and far more aligned with the way families use their kitchens today,' explains Marie.

In this kitchen, Marie has paired warm white walls with a mix of mushroom-toned finishes on the cabinetry, instantly adding warmth and contrast to the design. She's also displayed wooden cutting boards for an extra infusion of natural finishes – a look you can easily recreate with McGee & Co.'s Boylan Bread Board.

4. Natural Wood Tones

Wood might not technically be a color, but designers do recommend it over bright white tones in a kitchen. 'A warm white paired with natural wood takes a stark white kitchen to an entirely new place,' agrees Ami, who introduced wood tones to this white kitchen to add warmth and texture.

'In this project, we refreshed the existing cabinetry by painting it a soft, inviting white, introduced custom wood millwork for warmth and character, added a sculpted plastered hood fan, and incorporated earthenware lighting that brings depth and dimension.'

For warm white paint shades, consider Stoneware by Benjamin Moore or Slipper Satin by Farrow & Ball, both of which create that more inviting kitchen atmosphere while still feeling light and neutral.

If you're planning on painting your kitchen white this year, this is your sign to rethink your color choices and consider something warmer and more interesting. There's still very much a place for white, just mixed with other shades rather than a one-tone design.