The Comeback Color Everyone Will Be Painting Their Kitchens In 2026

Few rooms work as hard as the kitchen, which might be why it's always been considered to be the true heart of every home. It's a place where we wake up with our morning coffee, spend hours crafting family dinners, and gather with loved ones to socialize and make long-lasting memories. On top of all of these important functions, it's also a space where cleanliness is key, and design should feel practical, not overwhelming. All of these elements can make it difficult to find decor that suits every purpose, often leading to debates between sleek, minimalist colors and kitschy, cozy styles. Before getting into all of the details of your design, finding the right paint color is a key place to start. Whether you're looking for creative ways to add a pop of color to your kitchen or simply need a reliable shade to set the tone for your space, it's worth considering the color that's set to make a huge comeback in 2026 — warm green paint tones.

Now that they're having a resurgence in kitchen design, warm green paints can offer an excellent balance of a color palette that feels fresh and current, while also having a hint of comforting and timeless nostalgia. Design professional Fred Horlock spoke with Homes & Gardens about this predicted kitchen color trend, noting, "With an undercurrent of yellow, earthy olive tones bring a reassuringly heritage feel that works well in both contemporary and traditional settings." It's a color that can give you the best of both worlds, which is much needed in a space like the kitchen that tends to wear many different hats.

Warmth is at the core of many of today's latest design trends, and the kitchen is no different. Homeowners are seeing that warm alternatives to gray cabinets are the new neutral, and those cold-toned, all-white color schemes feel too clinical for everyday. What's interesting about the rising warm green paint trend is that green is a color that often sways as cool, but these popular warm interpretations can work exceptionally well to highlight the color's cozy, organic character. This tone also appeals to many popular design styles we're seeing currently, as the 2025 Interior Design and Color Trends Report from Fixr.com notes that some of the leading styles include biophilic design, calming color palettes, and earthy greens.

Not only does this color choice feel fresh and current within today's design world, but its comeback also speaks to a comforting, nostalgic factor that just feels right in the kitchen. You can play around within the wide range of these green tones, aiming for dark variations that offer a moody background, a unique pea-soup shade that evokes memories of retro designs, or a soft, minimalist green that brings a subtle sense of warmth and personality to your space. No matter how you embrace this paint trend, the neutral, grounded qualities of warm green make it a great color to build upon, offering a stylish versatility that plays well with different design aesthetics.

If you're ready to jump on the warm green kitchen bandwagon, there are plenty of ways to get the look. Start by choosing the warm green paint style that will work best for your space. Sherwin-Williams' Green Onyx is a good choice if you need a darker variation that can either add a moody depth or stand out amongst lighter, neutral tones. For something that feels soothing and earthy, a warm sage shade like Benjamin Moore's Saybrook Sage can work beautifully. For kitchen spaces that lean toward a minimalist aesthetic, you may benefit from a soft, close-to-neutral tone. Aim for a light green shade with yellow undertones for a color that's as versatile as beige with a touch of added green charm.

Warm greens are extremely agreeable with a variety of interiors, including other shades of green, so to really lean into these tones in your kitchen, consider pairing warm olive paint with dark forest green decor accents for a balancing hint of cool tones that add depth. You could also take the opposite approach with red and green pairings, which is the bold and unexpected color combo you'll be seeing in kitchens everywhere in 2026 for its complementary appeal. To really bring out the warmth in your paint, organic wood accents and interiors are a naturally beautiful pairing. Play around with different wooden contrasts, like deep walnut accents with soft shades for a mid-century modern look, or dark green tones for a moody appeal — or create an airy atmosphere with bright oak countertops and light, warm green cabinets.