In 2025, colour trends leaned heavily into restraint: cool greys, stark whites, ultra-minimal nude palettes, and bold-single colour statements dominated interiors. 

So, as we move into 2026, the latest kitchen colour trend sees a clear shift away from the one-note kitchens to showstoppers. 

Homeowners are seeking warmth, personality, and colour palettes that feel emotionally resonant. 

Kitchens aren't just functional; they're social rooms. 

Here's what Spring has in store for kitchen colour trends according to Smile Kitchens:

 

1. Rich Reds & Burgundy Tones

Think of autumn apples and homemade mulled wine. 
The massive fruit boom this year has made us adore rich colours, and now we want to see it all the time. 
One of the strongest kitchen colour trends for 2026 is the return of rich reds, burgundy, oxblood, and merlot inspired shades.
These tones are deep, brown-based and refined, rather than bright or novelty-based. 
Used well, they bring a sense of confidence and maturity to a kitchen, instantly making the space feel warmer and more considered.

Think sophistication and luxury.

Why It's Trending
Red is rising steadily across kitchen design and it no longer confined to seasonal interiors. 
Its growing popularity heading into 2026 signals longevity rather than a passing moment. 
Rich reds create warmth, depth, and cosiness, qualities that work particularly well in kitchens, where you want the space to feel inviting and grounded. 

 

2. Dark, Moody Kitchen Colour Palettes

Dark, moody palettes form a key part of the kitchen colour trend in 2026, with shades such as deep plum, charcoal-adjacent tones and darker reds gaining confidence. 
These colours feel enveloping rather than heavy, especially when paired with the right materials and lighting. 

Why It's Trending
You're moving beyond the ideas that dark kitchens feel small. 
Darker colours are cozy. Dark colour means comfortable. 
When layered with texture and considered in terms of lighting, darker colours feel characterful, intentional and welcoming. 
Pale greens and blues are beginning to feel tired, making way for richer, warmer, and deeper dark tones. 

You probably had a grandparent who had pastel green porcelain in their bathroom. Those times have come and gone (again).
Out with Sage, in with Forest Green. 

 

3. Layered Tonal Colour Schemes

It's time to give your colour choice a friend.
Rather than single-tone colour drenching, layered palettes are emerging as a refined kitchen colour.
This approach uses several shades from the same colour family to create cohesion with subtle contrast. 

Why It's Trending
Colour drenching made a bold impact in previous years, but often lacked depth, particularly in modern homes. 

By layering tones, you achieve a similar sense of immersion while adding definition, movement and visual interest that feels far more liveable long-term.

 

4. Statement Kitchen Colours with Personality

This kitchen colour trend for 2026 is all about expressive, personality-led colours chosen for emotional impact rather than strict design rules. 
These are colours that feel personal, nostalgic, or simply joyful to live with. 
This is the kitchen colour that bears all. 

This is who you are, and you don't care what anyone thinks. 

Why It's Trending
You're increasingly using your kitchen to express who you are. 
Colour becomes a storytelling tool, whether it's inspired by nostalgia, a favourite shade, or a desire to create a space that genuinely makes you happy.
In 2026, individuality takes precedence over playing it safe – this is the Gen-Z colour trend. 

You're the pioneers who want to stand out from the crowd and say,  'THIS IS ME!'.

 

5. Cool Blues & Clean Whites: The New Minimalism

It's not all dark and moody.
There's still room for the minimalist cool tones. 
Soft blues, crisp whites, and cool-toned palettes are redefining minimal kitchen colour trends for 2026.

These colours feel fresh, airy, and structured, offering calm without relying on beige tones. 

Why It's Trending
Minimalism isn't disappearing, but it is evolving. 
Warm palettes dominated recent years, but they often lacked contrast. 

Cooler tones introduce clarity and definition while still creating kitchens that feel restful and uncluttered. 

 

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You can see more from Smile Kitchens at Ideal Home Show where they will be showcasing their beautiful kitchens at the show.

Smile Kitchens was founded to deliver high-quality kitchens at reasonable prices, whilst delivering excellent customer care throughout the kitchen design journey. 

As an online-only company, exhibiting at Ideal Home Show is an excellent opportunity for you to see our kitchens in real life. 

Come and meet the team of designers who are there to ensure you get the kitchen you want, when you want, at an affordable price! 

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