The Overdone Countertop Color That Will Be A Thing Of The Past In 2026

For most of the 2010s, interior home design existed in a sort of fog — an enveloping haze of various shades of gray that rolled in room by room until everything lost color altogether. However, over the past few years, that fog has been lifting, and going forward into 2026, everyone knows that gray is on its way out. That includes gray countertops, which are one of the top kitchen countertop colors to avoid in 2026.

With the shift toward warm, earthy colors, it's not just any type of gray that will be a thing of the past. We're talking about the cool grays with icy undertones that make you shiver just thinking about them. As the Founder of TXTURED and interior designer Simon Mayhew (via Livingetc.com) says, "Gray countertops tend to feel flat and cold, lacking the warmth and character that people are now drawn to." The flat, lifeless shades of gray that dominated every surface for the last decade will be a thing of the past in 2026, leaving many people with gray counters that are the very definition of outdated kitchen trends.

Interior designer Amy Switzer (via Real Simple) echoes Mayhew's sentiment about the color gray. "Cool, icy grays are officially out in 2026; their flat and sterile vibe is no longer cutting it in homes craving warmth and dimension," she says. Unfortunately, if you're stuck with gray countertops and can't afford to renovate anytime soon, you could feel locked into this out-of-fashion, sterile color.

Whether you love the color and are determined to use it or you're looking for ways to live with a gray countertop in 2026, remember that gray is not a bad color —  even though it's currently out of style. Used in moderation (something we didn't see a lot of in the past decade), gray is less likely to overwhelm your interior spaces. It's a timeless neutral color that matches hues with both warm and cool undertones, so it still has its place in design.

To make gray countertops work, you need some modern gray kitchen ideas. You can try obvious steps like pairing them with warmer accents or paint colors. Bringing more color into your kitchen and letting the gray drop into the background, where it can play a supporting role rather than a leading one, is a good option. Changing other kitchen elements, such as the backsplash or cabinetry, can also help by adding texture and contrast.

If you're in the middle of redecorating and have your heart set on gray, consider using gray marble countertops with veining patterns, which add some dimension and visual interest. You can also consider looking at other shades of gray with warmer undertones, since warm colors like greige and taupe can still look good in modern kitchens.