2026 Kitchen Color Trends: Warm Neutrals & Rich Tones
Every year, the biggest names in paint—Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr—announce their Color of the Year picks. This year the reveals feel less like a trend forecast and more like a collective exhale. The 2026 kitchen color trends are all about warm, grounded tones that feel like they’ve been around forever.
After years of cool grays, stark whites, and that very specific shade of navy that showed up in every renovation, this year’s palette is doing something different. These aren’t colors that will feel dated in three years.
If you’re planning a kitchen or bath renovation in 2026, here’s what you need to know.
Images in this post are AI-colorized visualizations of completed KRB projects to help you see how these 2026 colors work in real spaces.
Benjamin Moore’s Silhouette: The New Neutral
Silhouette (AF-655), a rich espresso brown with the subtlest hints of charcoal. Benjamin Moore describes it as being inspired by tailored suiting—it has that same refined, timeless quality.
This is the color for anyone who’s been saying “I want something other than white cabinets, but I don’t want color color.”
How to use it: Lower cabinetry in a two-tone kitchen, paired with warm white or soft cream on uppers. It’s stunning against marble countertops and makes brass hardware look expensive. In a bath, it creates a moody vanity that feels like a piece of furniture rather than built-in cabinetry.
Sherwin-Williams’ Universal Khaki: Fresh Beige
If you’ve been waiting for beige to feel fresh again, Universal Khaki (SW 6150) is your answer. This isn’t the beige of 2010. It’s a warm, earthy mid-tone with just enough yellow to feel inviting without reading as “tan walls.”
This foundational shade works with everything—crisp whites, natural wood, jewel tones, black accents.
How to use it: Island cabinetry to ground an open-concept kitchen. Wall color in a butler’s pantry for a cozy, tucked-away feeling. Or paint walls, trim, and ceiling all the same shade in a powder room for a surprisingly modern, enveloping effect.
Behr’s Hidden Gem: The Unexpected Choice
Hidden Gem (N430-6A), is a smoky jade green with “an air of mystery and sophistication,” according to Behr. This isn’t the sage green that’s been everywhere. It’s deeper and more complex, with gray undertones that keep it from feeling too earthy or too bold.
How to use it: Accent cabinetry like a coffee bar, beverage station, or floating shelves in an otherwise neutral kitchen. In a bath, pair it with warm brass fixtures and natural stone on vanity cabinetry. It’s one of those rare greens that works beautifully with both cool and warm whites.
The Bigger Picture
All three colors point to the same shift: we’re moving away from trend-chasing and toward timelessness. These are shades that make a space feel like it’s always been there, not like it came straight from a Pinterest board.
Whether you’re drawn to the refined warmth of Silhouette, the versatility of Universal Khaki, or the sophistication of Hidden Gem, these 2026 kitchen color trends are defining design this year—and likely for years to come.
Planning a kitchen or bath renovation? We’d love to help you explore how these colors could work in your space. Get in touch with our design team to start the conversation.
