The Bold Kitchen Cabinet Color You'll Be Seeing Everywhere In 2026

As a focal point in your kitchen, cabinets take up a lot of visual space, so selecting the right color scheme can be tricky. For those who are looking to make a statement, there is one bold hue that's expected to be particularly trendy in 2026: aubergine. This rich, dramatic shade of purple "is emerging as a standout choice," said interior designer Ben Kempton, of 202 Design, in a recent interview with Homes and Gardens magazine. "Its depth carries an understated opulence and creates an immediate sense of atmosphere." (Fun fact – In British English, "aubergine" is the word for eggplant.)

Kempton isn't the only pro who predicts a rise in purple popularity in kitchens. Aubergine was on-trend last year, and other design experts expect that to extend into 2026. It's part of a broader, ongoing interest in colored kitchen cabinets, specifically in jewel tones, which look moody and regal. All that to say, if you're searching for the right kitchen cabinet style for your space, consider picking up some aubergine paint and giving your cabinets a refresh.

Statement colors, like aubergine, are just one of the many gorgeous kitchen cabinet trends set to take over in 2026. "Where white kitchens and light and airy designs were the rage for the past decade, moody, rich colors are now making their way through the home," interior designer Erin Coren, of Curated Nest Interiors, recently told The Spruce. You can purchase this paint hue from established companies such as Behr and Rust-Oleum. 

How you style your newly color-drenched kitchen cabinets will depend on your aesthetic preferences. In the aforementioned Homes and Gardens article, Kempton noted how this hue complements warmer accents like "walnut, antique brass, and warm, honed stone finishes." This makes sense considering aubergine is a shade of purple, which sits opposite yellow, a warm-toned color, on the color wheel. Utilize this color theory hack by pairing aubergine kitchen cabinets with brass handles or wood countertops. 

For peak drama and autumnal coziness, pair aubergine cabinets with other dark pieces like black kitchen appliances or dark wood shelving. This rich cabinet color goes perfectly with dark wood floors, too. Alternatively, you could incorporate airy neutrals like cream, off-white, or gray, which will juxtapose aubergine's depth and add some light back into your kitchen. Avoid stark whites, though. Speaking to Maine Home Design's blog, design expert Charlotte Cosby, of Farrow and Ball, cautioned that "pure white would be too high-contrast" next to deeper hues like plum or aubergine.