Yes, black cabinet pulls are very much in style. While interior design trends are shifting toward warmer metals like brass, matte black remains a highly versatile and classic choice that provides a striking, modern contrast against lighter cabinets and adds rich depth to darker ones.
Matte Black for Bold Contrast
Matte black hardware is still in style, and has been for a long while. But why is it always dominating the kitchen hardware trends? Because it goes with almost anything. Against white or white oak kitchen cabinets, it creates striking contrast.
Matte black hardware is not completely out of style, but its role is shifting. Rather than being the default choice for everything, it is evolving into a more curated, intentional design element.
Warm finishes are still climbing: brass, antique brass, and brushed gold tones. They pair well with white oak, greiges, deep greens, and warm whites, which keeps them relevant across many cabinet colors. Softer, brushed versions are winning over shiny gold because they hide fingerprints and feel more timeless.
For 2026, the leading hardware styles prioritize warmth, character, and tactile finishes over the sterile, shiny metals of the past.
Avoid outdated cabinet shades like navy, cherry wood, mustard yellow, and country red. These colors once felt warm or luxurious but now make kitchens look dated or overly themed. Instead, choose softer neutrals, natural woods, or richer muted tones for a timeless feel.
Matte Black: The Modern Classic
Matte black door handles create definition against light or neutral doors, while their soft finish hides fingerprints and everyday wear. Chic, versatile and practical - this finish continues to dominate the market and shows no signs of fading in popularity.
Avoid high-maintenance stark whites, trend-heavy brights like candy apple red or lime green, and oppressive jet blacks which highlight every fingerprint. Instead of fleeting fads or clinical shades, opt for muted, versatile tones that bring warmth and longevity to your space.
An Overview of the Top Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends This Year. If you just want the quick list: warm “new neutrals” (cream, warm white, mushroom, warm stone), deeper greens, inky blues, soft blacks, and carefully planned two-tone combinations are leading the kitchen cabinet color trends for 2026.
Joanna Gaines' go-to paint colors for kitchen cabinets emphasize natural, earthy tones. She frequently uses warm, creamy whites on upper cabinets for an airy feel, and balances them with bold, deep greens, blues, or grays on lower cabinets for depth.
It works as an anchor. You'll see it grounding warm palettes like chocolate, coffee, biscuit, crème, and clay tones. In fashion, it appears in strong silhouettes, tailored pieces, belts, shoes, and statement accents.
A kitchen is typically considered outdated when it suffers from a combination of failing appliances, poor lighting, worn-out surfaces, and an isolating, disjointed layout. Trends evolve, and what was once fashionable can make the entire heart of the home feel less functional and visually unappealing.
The 2026 kitchen is defined by "warm minimalism," focusing on cozy, earthy color palettes, hidden smart-storage, and the rise of multifunctional prep kitchens. It blends inviting natural textures with sleek, flush appliances, shifting away from sterile, all-white or cold, gray layouts.
Black hardware is still in style for 2026, but its role in interior design is evolving. While it remains a popular and versatile choice, designers are shifting away from flat, ultra-modern matte black, favoring richer, more dimensional alternatives.
The hottest countertop trends are a shift toward warm, creamy, and natural color palettes, replacing glossy finishes with matte, honed, or leathered textures. For materials, Quartzite and natural stone are surging in popularity as homeowners pivot toward authentic, unique materials.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Cabinet hardware trends in 2026 focus on sculptural, mixed-material designs and warm metallic finishes. Sleek, high-polish metals and basic matte black are out; textured surfaces, gunmetal, brushed brass, and mixed metal accents dominate modern kitchens and bathrooms.
The 4 Worst Kitchen Cabinet Colors for Resale Value
Beige, taupe, and "mushroom" neutrals are officially replacing the cool, sterile grays of the last decade. Designers are leaning into warm khakis, sandy beiges, creamy whites, and earthy tones that add a cozy, comforting energy to spaces.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
Matte black hardware, once a modern favorite, is now seen as overused and prone to durability issues. Warmer, more distinctive finishes such as burnished brass, bronze, and mixed materials are replacing matte black.
Beige tones, hues of white, and grey should be the colors of choice for your furniture, curtains, drapes, and other home accessories. Neutral colors not only give that plush look, but they also give you that warm feeling.
Timeless home decor focuses on natural materials, neutral palettes, and functional, high-quality pieces that transcend passing trends. Key staples include hardwood furniture, marble, linen, and ceramic accents, often characterized by simple, durable designs. These elements create a sophisticated, welcoming atmosphere that remains stylish for decades, ensuring long-term investment value.