Erin Napier's Once-Controversial Kitchen Color Choice Is Dominating Today's Trends

For over a decade, the all-white kitchen has been a favorite for interior designers and homeowners. Since kitchens can be rather small, white walls, cabinets, and appliances can reflect light and give the illusion of space. Though white can add cohesion to your home, it runs the risk of appearing clinical and lacking personality.

Erin Napier, a host of HGTV's "Home Town," made waves in Season 7, Episode 18, "The Maui of Mississippi," by diverging from the all-white trend and designing a kitchen with burgundy cabinets. Burgundy is a deep reddish-brown with purple undertones that resembles the French wine of the same name. The episode aired in 2022, and while Napier was considered a trailblazer at the time, bold colors — especially dark reds — have since caught on. Reflecting this shift toward rich colors, Pantone named "Mocha Mouse" (a warm brown), its 2025 Color of the Year, while Benjamin Moore chose "Cinnamon Slate" (a velvety mauve). Recently, many have been opting for dark cabinets and colorful backsplashes to inject personality into their kitchens. While Napier's color choice sparked ideas in designers and homeowners, the shade of red that's trending is deeper than Napier's burgundy, indicating a hunger for colors even richer than what was considered outlandish only three years ago.

Although dark burgundy cabinets are trending, you might find it difficult to commit to such a bold color. Start small, by painting only your kitchen island or the cabinets over your coffee bar burgundy. If you're not sure about making the leap, you can add color without disturbing your kitchen cabinets, which can easily be the most expensive part of any kitchen remodel. Try a burgundy backsplash with white grout to complement a white kitchen and hide splashes of grease and pasta sauce. Or add a piece of burgundy furniture, which you can always remove if you decide you don't like the strong red.

In a more traditional vein, paint an accent wall to give yourself a glimpse of what burgundy can do for you and your kitchen, or opt for an old floor style that's making a major comeback — red and white checkered tile. The easiest way to infuse burgundy into your kitchen is through hand towels, floor mats, and wall art, which are low-cost additions that don't require commitment.

You might be ready to make a big, red change, but are wondering what pairs well with a strong color like burgundy, which might seem overpowering at first. Combining a rich, dark color like burgundy with either wood cabinetry or flooring can make for a timeless and chic kitchen, and bring out the warm tones in the both the wood and the red. Depending which shade you choose, burgundy can appear red, brown, or purple, and you can pull from any of those color palettes when decorating your kitchen. Burgundy also complements bronze fixtures, creating a charming, antique ambiance, and pairs well with neutrals like beige, which provides a much-needed rest for your eyes. If you haven't had enough of color, mustard yellow and powder blue look great alongside burgundy, softening any harsh edges.  

Take a page out of Erin Napier's book and don't be afraid to go bold in your design, especially in the centerpiece of your home — the kitchen. Even if you're not much of a chef, you likely spend a great deal of time there, and you should make it your own. The warmth and elegance of a strong color like burgundy is perfect for a room like the kitchen, where personal style meets practicality.