5 Kitchen Paint Color Trends to Watch in 2024

In the realm of home design, the kitchen has evolved into more than just a culinary workspace. It has become a multifunctional hub where various activities, from homework sessions to late-night conversations, take place. This shift has heightened the kitchen’s significance, prompting homeowners to consider redecorating it for both practicality and mood enhancement. Designer and Behr ambassador Cara Newhart notes that kitchens have become “the everything space,” serving as a comfortable and inviting area where hosts often congregate with guests.

Recognizing the growing importance of kitchens, homeowners are inclined to infuse more personality into these spaces. One of the easiest and least invasive ways to make a significant change in the kitchen is through a fresh coat of paint. In 2023, designers observed a departure from the ubiquitous all-white kitchens, with bold hues such as berry, pistachio creme, and blue-gray gaining popularity. According to designer Jay Jeffers, darker kitchen colors experienced increased demand and are expected to continue trending upward in 2024.

Sue Wadden, the director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, anticipates a shift toward adding more personality to kitchens in the coming year. Kitchens are no longer viewed solely as utilitarian spaces for cooking and storage; they are evolving into entertainment hubs. Homeowners now want their kitchens to reflect this multifunctional aspect. To guide your kitchen’s transformation, here are some of the top kitchen paint colors predicted for 2024, helping your space establish its unique identity.

Earthy Green

a kitchen has an island with a marble surface and dark olive green cabinets, two alabaster globe pendants suspended by chains, marble backsplashes, stainless oven, sink with open shelving and glasses above

Maintaining a serene atmosphere in the kitchen is crucial, especially when the space serves as a cooking area, workplace, and entertainment venue. The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2024 Kitchen Trends report emphasizes the kitchen’s key color goal: creating a sense of nature, calm, and harmony.

One effective way to achieve this serene ambiance is by choosing an earthy green color. Renowned Los Angeles- and Houston-based designer Julee Ireland expresses her love for green in all shades, highlighting its ability to connect individuals with nature, ranging from the deep, saturated tones of the rainforest to the soft, muted shades found by the sea. Beyond its calming effect, green is also an ideal choice to complement another top-of-mind material for kitchens in 2024: wood.

Warm Sand

husband wife san remo apartment

Warm sand, a color trend gaining popularity in 2024, presents a more neutral option compared to the ubiquitous beige of the 1990s. Positioned as a middle ground between Gen Z’s nostalgic embrace of a decade they never experienced and the average homeowner’s aversion to the Tuscan style that dominated the era, warm sand offers a subtle and versatile choice. This hue is particularly appealing for those who may be less confident about transitioning away from the traditional white palette.

Joa Studholme, Farrow & Ball’s color curator, notes the allure of clay tones and the desire to create homes that feel both warm and spacious. To achieve this, Studholme recommends opting for a lighter hue for walls compared to trim, creating a vibrant and visually larger room. This approach allows homeowners to embrace the trend while maintaining a sense of brightness and openness in their living spaces.

Deep Sea Blue

sam sacks toronto victorian

In 2023, blue kitchens in various shades gained popularity among adventurous color enthusiasts. Looking ahead to 2024, more homeowners are expected to embrace the trend, especially the deeper tones of blue. For those who have long maintained a kitchen with a neutral white palette, a gradual entry into the blue trend can be achieved by painting the island or cabinets in a naval-inspired hue, according to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. This approach can infuse the space with a “coastal chic vibe,” providing a refreshing change.

Taking the blue kitchen trend a step further, homeowners can consider color-matching kitchen appliances. Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, creative director at Monogram, predicts that this trend will continue to gain momentum, with color-coordinated appliances making a bold statement in kitchens throughout 2024 and beyond.

Hot Chocolate

the kitchen has dark brown walls hung with small artworks, cabinets and drawers painted green and white, a small round antique wood table and two chairs with green leather seats, and a spanish majolica pendant

Creating a kitchen designed for gathering involves infusing a sense of coziness into the space. According to designer Jay Jeffers, who aims to transform kitchens into inviting family rooms, rich browns play a crucial role in achieving warmth and a welcoming ambiance. He specifically recommends Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath, describing it as a tone that is almost black but slightly warmer.

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, agrees with the trend of moving away from grays and shifting toward browns. The emergence of chocolate neutrals is seen as a way to introduce warmth and move away from a colder aesthetic. This transition is expected to bring a sense of warmth to kitchen designs.

Behr’s recent survey data supports the enduring appeal of dark-colored walls in kitchens. The survey found that approximately two-thirds of Gen Z and millennial respondents agreed that a dark-colored wall contributes to a more elegant look in the kitchen. This indicates a growing preference for darker hues, aligning with the shift toward warmer and cozier kitchen designs.