The most popular kitchen cabinet colors for Sherwin-Williams in 2024 were defined by warm whites, tranquil greens, and soft blues. The top experts' and designers' picks were heavily led by Alabaster (SW 7008) for a classic, creamy white, and Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) for a modern, nature-inspired green.
3 Top Kitchen Cabinet Colors for 2024 are…
White remains the most popular kitchen cabinet color, but design trends are favoring warmer, earthier variations. Top choices include:
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.
The top kitchen cabinet colors for 2026 are shifting toward warm minimalism, with designers moving away from sterile, bright whites. The most popular palettes focus on creamy whites, earthy greens, bold moody tones, and rich wood finishes to create cozy, inviting spaces.
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.
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.
What are the most popular kitchen paint colors? Off-whites, neutrals, blues, grays and greens are all timeless kitchen paint colors. The color palette below brings together 12 of the best kitchen paint colors—all tried-and-tested hues that homeowners love.
Sherwin-Williams named Universal Khaki (SW 6150) as its 2026 Color of the Year. It is a warm, earthy, and foundational mid-tone tan designed to bring simplicity, warmth, and a tailored, timeless feel to any space.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
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.
The best Sherwin-Williams paint colors for kitchen cabinets lean heavily toward soft, warm neutrals and crisp whites. Top picks include Alabaster (SW 7008) for a creamy, bright look, High Reflective White (SW 7757) for a modern, clean finish, and the trending, nature-inspired Clary Sage (SW 6178).
The 1/3 rule in cabinet design is an interior design guideline stating that a cabinet pull or handle should be approximately one-third the width of a drawer or one-third the height of a cabinet door. This ensures hardware is visually balanced and functional.
Kitchen design has shifted away from stark whites and cool grays toward "warm minimalism" and earth-inspired, organic tones. The most popular colors include:
Neutral Colour Palettes
Soft whites, warm greys, muted greens and natural wood tones create a calm, elegant backdrop. They pair well with changing accessories, so you can update the look with new bar stools, pendant lights, or splashback tiles without replacing the whole kitchen.
Neutral colors remain the top choice for kitchen cabinets because they provide a blank canvas for buyers. Whites, grays, and beiges are popular because they create a clean and fresh look. These tones also pair well with various design styles, making them a safe investment for resale.
The most popular kitchen cabinet colors are warm neutrals (creamy whites, beige, taupe, mushroom) and earthy greens (olive, sage, and forest). Stark, sterile whites and cool grays are fading, replaced by organic, "warm minimalism".
Top Interior Colors
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.
Shades like olive green, inky blue, or even a warm charcoal instantly feel a bit more luxurious and layered. These shades add depth and look incredibly refined (especially when paired with brushed brass or burnished bronze hardware) in a way that whites or pale stone and grey often lack."
Bright Red
More than a few designers agreed this shade is best left out of the cook space. “Most colors can work great in a kitchen depending on the space and the look you're going for, but I'd always shy away from something like fire-engine red,” says Dallas, Texas, designer Lisa Henderson.
The most popular, trend-proof cabinet colors are warm whites, mushroom/taupe, and deep greens. These hues offer high resale value, pair well with natural wood accents, and provide a welcoming, lived-in feel to your space.
Interior designers are moving away from stark cool whites, "millennial gray," and heavily saturated accent colors. These rigid hues can make spaces feel cold or clinical. The shift is toward warmer, earthy, and highly nuanced tones that prioritize depth and coziness.
Cool, icy greys are out, but warm, grounded neutrals are in. Sherwin-Williams' 2026 Color of the Year, Universal Khaki, reflects this shift toward earthy, nature-inspired colors.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.