Kitchen paint colors going out of style – 3 shades designers are ditching in 2025

Your choice of paint colors in a kitchen allows you to reflect your design style while setting the tone for the space – whether that's light and airy or dark and moody.

While the latest kitchen color ideas cater to many styles and offer plenty of stylish paint ideas, it's always useful to know which shades have fallen out of favor. Here, we've rounded up three kitchen paint colors going out of style, according to interior designers.

These shades, from cool whites to dark blue, have largely been replaced by warmer kitchen color trends, helping the heart of the home feel less utilitarian and more welcoming.

1. Cool gray

While gray kitchens were once the go-to when going for a sleek, modern scheme, this cool neutral is being replaced by warm neutral paints in 2025, says interior designer Nadia Watts:

'Cool-toned grays are definitely on their way out when it comes to kitchens. While they had their moment as the go-to neutral for a sleek, modern look, my clients seem to be leaning towards warmer, more inviting colors like creamy whites, earthy beiges, and rich browns. These tones add so much more warmth and personality, making a kitchen feel welcoming instead of cold or sterile.'

Miranda Cullen, owner and principal at Inside Stories also observes the move away from gray paints in kitchens, adding: 'Once widely popular – earning the nickname 'millennial gray' – this color dominated interiors, from walls and cabinets to flooring and furnishings. However, its overuse often resulted in dull, lifeless spaces with little contrast. As a result, homeowners are now shifting toward more vibrant and varied designs.'

For 2025, a softer and warmer take on color is quickly becoming the go-to. Neutral paints that offer warmth – as seen in this deVOL kitchen – are being favored by designers, offering more warmth than cool gray.

'Whether it's through colorful hues or understated warm neutrals, the result feels much more inviting than cool grays,' explains Nadia. 'We’re seeing kitchens that feel softer, cozier, and more personal – with textured finishes, natural materials, and colors that make the space feel warm and inviting. It’s all about creating a kitchen that people actually want to spend time in!'

2. Navy blue

Navy blue paints are another once-popular kitchen color being replaced by warmer tones. 'While it remains a classic shade that can work in certain settings, it was often used on kitchen islands and lower cabinets as a 'safe' way to introduce color,' says interior designer Diane Rath of The Rath Project.

'Now, we’re seeing homeowners embrace a much broader range of colors in the kitchen, moving beyond navy to experiment with bolder, more unexpected choices,' says Diane.

Designer Caron Woolsey, founder and principal at CW Interiors adds that navy blue is being replaced in kitchens this year with more natural-looking paint colors: 'While still classic, deep blue is making way for softer, more organic tones – warm neutrals, rich wood stains, and earthy greens that feel a little more effortless and inviting.'

'It doesn’t mean navy is over – it just works best now when balanced with natural textures and lighter elements. If you still love it, keep it! Trends come and go, but great design is always about what feels right for you and your home,' adds Caron.

If you still want to embrace dark paints in your kitchen scheme, consider dark green paints or rich burgundy which will add just as much sophistication with more warmth.

3. Bright white

While there's much debate around white paints in kitchens and a general shift towards richer tones, that's not to say this classic color is gone. Designer Hill Rondero of Ro House Studio says that white paints are a classic choice for kitchens, but the design needs to be considered to ensure an inviting space:

'I myself have white kitchen cabinets, but for me, they’re more of a framework than a feature. White kitchens will always have a place in design – they’re classic, timeless, and never truly out of fashion. But I think the trend of all-white, stark kitchens is starting to fade, especially when it comes to making a space feel warm and inviting.

'Overly cool whites and icy grays can feel a bit sterile, particularly in a kitchen, which should be an emotional, lived-in space. People are leaning toward adding warmth and texture. To me, it’s not about abandoning white, but about layering it with earthy tones – soft putty, warm ochres, or even deep greens – that ground the space and make it feel inviting and soulful. By layering in these elements, you create a kitchen that feels timeless, not trend-driven.'

Gabriela Eisenhart, founder and principal designer at Atlanta-based Silo Studios also comments on the shift away from bright, stark whites, instead favoring warm white paints for kitchens.

'I don’t think white walls will ever go out of style. In my opinion, they'll always be a classic choice. I still use them in my projects, but now I pay closer attention to their undertones. I’m gravitating toward warmer whites with taupe or cream undertones for a softer, more inviting feel.'

While designers are replacing these three paint colors in kitchens this year, that's not to say you shouldn't use them if you like them. The most important factor when designing and decorating your home is to include what brings you joy – regardless of the latest trends.