'Neutrals will always reign supreme in kitchen design' – here's why Shea McGee is controversially championing neutrals in the heart of the home

Designing a kitchen is often a costly undertaking, so when it comes to choosing the color scheme, you want to get it right the first time around. While rich, dark tones have been trending lately, Shea McGee is championing warm neutrals as the way to go in 2025.

I recently spoke with the interior designer herself to hear what she has to say on kitchen color ideas for the coming year, and her approach is all about the most enduring and timeless hues.

Whether your kitchen is of a rustic or modern style, neutral kitchens are arguably the most classic and fail-safe color choice. Read on to learn Shea's current take on decorating with neutrals in the heart of the home, which is every ounce as stylish as you'd imagine.

While the latest kitchen color trends favor some of the boldest hues, from dark greens to the deepest shades of blue, is that to say these are a timeless choice?

Of course, your kitchen should be informed by your favorite colors and the color story that runs throughout your home, but it's worth considering the timeless appeal of neutrals. More specifically, warm neutrals that bring a cozy, homey feel and create a light and airy look are undoubtedly amongst the most classic, while ensuring a 'liveable' feel that bolder colors may not.

'I think that neutrals will always reign supreme in kitchen design, and then we'll see moments of brightness or the shade band changing between light and dark,' Shea tells me. 'For my clients at least, they're always wanting to feel like their investment is going to have longevity.'

If your style consistently favors a bolder take on color, then your investment may be well-placed with a colorful kitchen scheme. However, if you're opting for bolder hues just to keep up with trends, you may find yourself wanting to switch things up again next season.

While warm neutral paints are a good way to go, Shea notes the popularity of natural wood kitchens. Embracing the warmth from this natural material, the warming tones available from wood are vast, so there's much variety depending on how light or dark you wish to go.

'So right now, we're doing a lot of oak,' explains Shea. 'It's kind of a medium-tone oak. And we do have clients that are pushing into darker stains as well. I would say that we don't have anyone asking for white kitchens right now.'

'I think the cool thing about design right now is there's not an 'it' shade of wood,' the designer adds. 'I think we're seeing all different shades.'

A wood kitchen is undeniably timeless, and it's an especially good choice for farmhouse kitchens and rustic kitchens, but it can also take on a sleek design for modern kitchen ideas. What's more, there are plenty of ways to add interest to wooden kitchen cabinets to ensure a modern look.

'All of my clients are asking for some richness incorporated into their kitchen in some way,' adds Shea. 'That could even just be painting the pantry a really dark color'.

This approach is shown in the pantry of Studio McGee's Tahoe Pines project pictured above, which is painted with Benjamin Moore's Flint, a cool-toned charcoal. Adding a pop of bolder color to a small area like the pantry is a great way to add an unexpected hit of color, while the rest of the kitchen boasts the classic, enduring appeal of warm neutrals.

If your kitchen is in need of a refresh or you're in the process of doing a remodel, consider opting for natural wood cabinets and neutral walls for a timeless look. From the best neutral paints to the best warm neutral paints, there are plenty of much-loved paint colors to help you with your scheme.