5 Chic Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends To Know For 2026

Kitchen cabinet details that could be making your space look dated — (Image credit: Bethany Adams Interiors)

Jump to category:

1. Deep Reds Like Plum and Oxblood
2. Soothing Shades of Green
3. Lighter Blue Tones
4. Stained Wood Prevails
5. A Return to Soft Pinks

When you decide on colors for your kitchen, the cabinets are arguably the most important. They form the base of your design, and in many ways, dictate what countertops and hardware finishes you choose to include.

And if you're not sure which colors are best for your kitchen cabinet ideas to balance timeless style and personality-filled design, look no further. Designers have spoken, and there are a few kitchen color trends they deem most notable for cabinetry in 2026.

5 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends 2026

Choosing your kitchen cabinet colors is a big design decision, and we are by no means suggesting you should choose something simply because it is trending. After all, timeless style and personalized designs have never felt more important than they do now.

But these 2026 trends can be a wonderful starting point to find a shade you might not have considered, but that proves to be enduring when you introduce it in the right way. And of all the trending cabinet colors right now, these are the five we recommend.

1. Deep Reds Like Plum and Oxblood

pale pink painted kitchen with dark red cabinetry, statement marble backsplash, an Aga, and a large painting hung on the wall — If you want to introduce deep shades of red timelessly, this kitchen proves how easy it can be, pairing seamlessly with pale pink and classic marble.

We've all become enamored by moodier hues, but only those that still add a sense of warmth to kitchen schemes. Burgundy kitchens dominated trends last year, but in 2026, cabinet colors are getting slightly darker and richer.

'I am anticipating plum and oxblood to take center stage in kitchens this year. People are looking for fresh new colors that feel bold but still familiar. Both are steeped in history but work well in contemporary environments. Above all, people are really looking for warm colors without playing it too safe,' says Mary Beth Sullivan, founder and principal designer of MB Sullivan Design.

While they are rich in tone, these hues are more versatile than you might think. 'These rich gemstone colors pair well with unlacquered brass, polished nickel, marble, warm woods, and a neutral natural fiber (such as linen) for the window treatments,' she adds.

They also pair well with lighter colors, shown in this kitchen designed by Studio Duggan, where deep red cabinets have been paired with pale pink walls. It proves that dark cabinets don't have to equal a dark kitchen.

2. Soothing Shades of Green

A traditional country kitchen with soft green cabinets, white walls, a yellow island, and brass hardware — Green is back, but in a paler hue. The cabinets in this kitchen add contrast to the kitchen without overwhelming the subdued scheme. The yellow island adds a bright accent – a playful addition to the design.

Certain shades of green have fallen out of favor in recent years, but that doesn't mean there is no place for the natural hue in kitchen designs. In 2026, softer, soothing shades of green feel perfectly placed.

'I think we’ll get back to nice, soothing green hues. People are seeking stillness and calmness at home. Soft, nature-inspired shades help to create this vibe,' says interior designer Michelle Gage,' noting the versatility of pale green, which pairs with everything from wood tones to nickel and brass finishes.

'I am also seeing the love for green cabinetry in kitchens continue this year,' agrees interior designer Yena Jung, who likes to introduce this shade to kitchen cabinetry in more subtle ways. 'It can be used as a special accent color for an island or a specialty coffee bar in your kitchen or dining room.'

3. Lighter Blue Tones

A light blue and white kitchen with marble countertops, a black and white checkerboard floor, and a copper range hood — The blue and white color palette in this kitchen is a total classic, but the playful lighting and copper details add a more personality-filled finish. It proves just how versatile light blue cabinets can be.

There's a clear shift in kitchen cabinet color trends this year towards lighter, softer shades. Perhaps it's a refresh from the flurry of darker hues that dominated in 2025, but it also reflects the shift towards a more lived-in style. And light blue is one such color that is back at the forefront of trends.

'After a dark 2025, I think soft blues are going to be big in kitchens in 2026. They're fresh, pretty, and surprisingly sophisticated,' says interior designer Bethany Adams, who designed the charming kitchen pictured here.

'Unlike true pastel hues, these blues have depth and gray undertones that pair beautifully with bolder colors like chartreuse, burgundy, or fuchsia. Soft blues look amazing with any metal finish, but choose brass for a warm contrast,' she suggests.

4. Stained Wood Prevails

A moody kitchen with dark stained wooden cabinets, marble countertops and backsplash, and reddish-brown painted walls and ceiling — Wooden kitchens are timeless and chic, but also incredibly adaptable. The deep cabinet stain creates a moody feel that feels right at home in the color-drenched scheme, allowing the striking marble to truly shine.

Wooden kitchens returned with vigour last year, and it's a cabinet color trend that's taking on a new look in 2026. Designers are starting to embrace darker stains for a more dramatic, yet still utterly timeless, look

'I am still seeing a lot of white oak kitchen cabinets, but this year, we are choosing stain colors that are a little darker and have a little more depth. It makes the cabinetry feel earthy and more substantial without having to go dark,' Yena explains.

For some designers, white oak in itself has started to feel a bit dated and overdone, so bringing in a darker stain reinvigorates cabinetry and makes it feel a bit more considered, yet still natural compared to a dark paint. And Yena isn't the only one embracing dark wood kitchens this year.

'Stained wood cabinetry is making a big comeback this year. I personally am using a deep chocolate brown stain on oak for a rich effect. [It] adds a rich, grounded luxury to your kitchen and feels a bit sultry when paired with the right finishes and materials,' says interior designer Kristen Peña.

The beauty of this look is that while it feels rich and luxurious, it still acts as a neutral. 'I love the look of chocolate brown stained cabinetry paired with natural stone such as white marble and onyx, as well as metal finishes like brass or bronze,' she adds.

5. A Return to Soft Pinks

A traditional kitchen with pink cabinets, a copper pot rail, and black and white checkerboard floor tiles — Most people have never considered pink kitchen cabinets, but let this design convince you. This light, subtle shade gives the illusion of a warm neutral, creating a timeless feel.

Pink kitchens are really enjoying a revival this year, and it turns out, your cabinets are the best place to introduce this soft hue. And the keyword here is soft – it's more subtle, pared back shades that are most stylish (and timeless).

'Classic, more subdued colors, particularly paler greens and soft pinks. Used as a base, these tones provide a calm, timeless backdrop that can then be contrasted with a pop of color through accessories or other elements of the kitchen. These quieter palettes create space for personality to come through with color, texture, and detailing,' says interior designer Sean Symington.

'There’s a growing desire for kitchens that feel uplifting but still grounded. Calmer cabinet tones offer longevity and flexibility, while bolder accents bring warmth and optimism without overwhelming the space. It’s a way of adding character and light, particularly in kitchens that don’t receive an abundance of natural daylight, and it reflects a broader shift towards homes that feel comforting and positive.'

These colors signal a shift in the way we approach colorful kitchens. Bold colors are making way for softer, paler alternatives, while moodier tones are getting richer and more experimental. For a broader look at what's popular this year, there's plenty of inspiration to be found in this year's kitchen cabinet trends.

I’ve worked in the interiors magazine industry for the past five years and joined Homes & Gardens at the beginning of 2024 as the Kitchens & Bathrooms editor. While I love every part of interior design, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most exciting to design, conceptualize, and write about. There are so many trends, materials, colors, and playful decor elements to explore and experiment with.