Designers say these kitchen cabinet colors look dated in 2026

If it's time for a kitchen refresh, there are a few things designers want you to avoid: Double kitchen islands, pot fillers above the stove, and these kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated in 2026. Design experts say that as kitchen designs have evolved to be more personal, the best colors for cabinets have also changed. In the era where things were all about a minimalist look or preserving the home's resale value, certain neutral colors were both practical and on-trend. Today, it's a slightly different story. Homeowners want their kitchens to feel warm and unique, which has renewed interest in warmer neutrals and earthy colors for the kitchen cabinets.

Designers note that painting kitchen cabinets is a relatively easy way to update a kitchen without going through the trouble of a full renovation. Swapping out a dull paint color for one that better reflects your home's atmosphere is a simple upgrade that can make a surprisingly huge difference. Say goodbye to paint colors that are "predictable" or "stark," and hello to shades like soft charcoal, earthy greens, and richly stained woods.

Ahead, professional designers share the kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated in 2026 and what to choose instead.

Stark White

Kitchen with white cabinets, countertops and walls

Lyndsay Lamb, founder and lead designer at Lamb & Co. and co-host of HGTV's Unsellable Houses, tells us that every trend right now is moving toward two key themes: personal expression and warmth. "Bright white cabinets don't accomplish either of these, and I believe we'll see far fewer of them in 2026," Lamb says. She shares that people are wanting to infuse their spaces with personality through color, texture and patterns, and create warmth with richer tones and nature-inspired palettes. "Because of this, I predict we'll move away from bright, stark white cabinetry and see more cream whites and warm beiges take their place, " Lamb says. Stacy Garcia, CEO and chief inspiration officer of Stacy Garcia Design Studio, echoes this prediction: "While white has long been a go-to for kitchens, the trend toward warmth, texture, and emotional resonance in interiors is steering homeowners toward more grounded, natural tones," the designer says. Garcia sees people seeking kitchens that feel inviting and connected to the natural world rather than purely clinical, which is how stark white cabinets often read.

Safe Gray

A grey kitchen with a gold faucet and marble backsplash

"After years of being the 'safe' neutral choice, gray has become predictable and lacks warmth," says Lindsey Jamison, partner and lead designer at Rumor Designs. The cool grays that were a default choice for walls and kitchen cabinets for the last decade are now starting to make kitchens feel outdated. Jamison says the days when kitchen cabinets could only be gray or white are long gone, adding that she's been seeing an uptick in clients who want colorful cabinets. "The kitchen is the heart of the home, and colorful cabinets are a quick and easy way to add character to your space, make a statement, and kick off a conversation through design," Jamison explains.

All-Black

Kitchen with black cabinets, black pendant lights and white subway tile backsplash

"I predict that all-black kitchen cabinets will begin to decline in popularity in 2026," says Janiece Lonvelin, the founder and principal designer of Velène Design House. The designer shares that while all-black kitchens are truly striking when paired with the right materials, solid black cabinets lack the warmth and dimensionality that homeowners are increasingly seeking. Solid black cabinets can read just as stark as cool white cabinets, making a kitchen feel cold and sterile. "As design trends shift toward more textured, layered, and nature-inspired palettes, colors with depth—like deep greiges, soft charcoal, muted earth tones, and rich stained woods—will feel more inviting and versatile than stark black," Lonvelin says.