One paint colour for your kitchen ‘will be huge in 2026’
If you’re planning to revamp your home interiors this summer, take a leaf out of American TV icon Martha Stewart’s book. Known for her discerning eye for interior design trends, she has been shaping our home aesthetics for years.
Her Martha Stewart Collection on Amazon is a staple in many kitchens. Interestingly, she seems to have been ahead of a trend that is predicted to dominate painting trends for 2026 by decades. Jennifer Erbert of Homes & Gardens predicts that one painting technique seen in a throwback video of the domestic goddess will be “a huge trend in 2026.”
When she shared a throwback image of her former kitchen, followers were drawn to the soothing grey-green shade adorning her kitchen cabinets. This pale green or grey-green hue is currently in vogue.
It’s not surprising as post-pandemic, cooler neutrals like grey and white are being replaced with warmer, more inviting neutrals. There’s much to appreciate about a serene grey-green colour scheme.
A mix of grey, green, and blue-brown, this shade imparts a sophisticated, moody vibe and adds considerable depth to kitchen cabinets.
Perfect for the heart of the home, it would make an excellent backdrop for a heavily-veined marble backsplash or countertop. Colour is a remarkable decorating tool and can effortlessly lend a luxurious look to a kitchen.
The shade is quintessentially classic, soothing and brings a slice of nature indoors, especially beneficial when utilized in areas with heavy footfall.
In secluded spaces, swathes of this colour across furniture or woodwork instil a tranquil vibe, seamlessly tying us to the world outside our domestic confines.
A dash of pale green can breathe fresh life into any interior and adds that subtle touch of the great outdoors.
This adaptable colour remains fitting all year round, so there’s no need to hold back using it in chillier seasons.
Deborah Bass, director at Base Interior, spoke to Homes & Gardens and said: “Decorating with neutrals, akin to those seen in Martha Stewart’s home, while avoiding a minimal or stark atmosphere, is a delicate dance between natural light, artificial lighting, and the other textures and tones used throughout.
“The importance of sampling on site, under various lighting conditions including artificial light, and at different times of day cannot be overstated.”
A palette that merges pale green and grey brings endless possibilities for conscious decorating and also serves as an ideal canvas for harmonising with other earthy tones. If you’re hesitant about picking a greenish tone, maybe give greige (a colour that blends grey and beige) a go.
The trend is shifting towards a more subdued palette, with less intensity but equally captivating results.
Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene said: “We are noticing a change to the use of softer hues, such as grey-green and greige, being used all over as a base colour or on kitchen cabinets, just how neutrals have been used traditionally.
“These are very calming, positive shades with a timeless quality, that are muted but not enough that they fade into the background, so they work beautifully as a foil for similar earthy tones and richer colours, which can give a more dynamic effect.”
