It can be daunting to choose a timeless kitchen paint color that you won’t get tired of and can easily be styled with other decor accessories. We’ve asked a couple of interior designers to share some insight on what outdated kitchen wall and cabinetry colors you might want to avoid or replace and why, so you don’t end up choosing the wrong hue.
Meet the Experts
Stark White
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Year after year, there’s a rumor that the white kitchen is out, yet it seems to stand the test of time, and for good reason: White is a universal safe haven for those hesitant to embrace color, it goes with everything, and it helps create the illusion of spaciousness, cleanliness, and brightness. But the interior designers we spoke with feel it’s finally time to ditch it.
“While white remains a versatile and essential element in interior design, an overreliance on stark, clinical white can result in spaces that feel cold and impersonal,” Arlene Angard, owner of Arlene Angard Interior Designs & Fine Art, says.
Angard explains that as homeowners now desire a more welcoming kitchen, they opt for softer whites with warm undertones, textures, and natural materials that add character.
Autumn Pochiro, CEO of Autumn Dawn Design, agrees that the era of pure white may be coming to an end. She sees white, at the very least, shifting toward softer Swiss-coffee white (which reads more like cream or ivory) or being complemented with warm wood tones and earthy greens that add some depth.
“This palette captures the essence of walking beneath a live oak draped in Spanish moss, and it’s time to experience this richer, more inviting environment,” Pochiro says.
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Cool Grays
Like stark whites, cool grays are on their way out for similar reasons. Angard explains that this one-time staple of modern interiors is waning as it feels sterile, and homeowners are seeking more comforting environments.
“The issue lies not just in the color itself, but in its overuse: Layering multiple shades of gray without incorporating contrasting warm tones or vibrant accents creates a flat, monotonous effect,” she says.
Dramatic Black
There’s no doubt that black paint and surfaces can make a space look and feel dramatic, but Pochiro says that in the kitchen, it’s now being replaced by a more timeless option—deep blue.
“If you’re drawn to a darker, more moody space, consider color-drenching your kitchen in a deep blue reminiscent of the ocean’s depths and save the color black for accent pieces in your space,” Pochiro says.
Retro Tones
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Retro-inspired colors that made a return in recent years—such as certain pastel hues, browns, vivid oranges, and turquoises—are now outdated, according to Asler Valero, founder of Asler Valero Interior Design. Not only do these colors make a kitchen feel like it’s taking a step back in time, they can be overwhelming and even make food look less appetizing, he says.
Angard agrees when it comes to pastel hues, stating that they may have once conveyed a sense of delicate charm and whimsical elegance, but they’ve lost their trendy appeal.
“Pastels can still be effective in specific contexts, such as children’s rooms or vintage-inspired designs, but their widespread use has become passé,” Angard says.
Instead of these light and airy tones, she believes homeowners are now seeking more sophisticated palettes that offer depth, richness, and a sense of enduring style.
Beige on Beige
There was a time when beige on beige was considered a sophisticated neutral palette, but it’s now fallen out of favor, Angard says.
“Its lack of visual dynamism makes a space feel flat, uninspiring, and devoid of personality,” Angard explains.
She recommends working with earthy alternatives and even vibrant tones to reflect your individual style and reconnect to the natural world.
Read the original article on The Spruce
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