The shift from gray once being the go-to shade, to its fall from popularity is one that's made its mark on many rooms, not least the kitchen. While the right variation of this once-loved shade can still work well in certain contexts, it's fair to say that designers are generally ditching it for warmer alternatives.
And since many designers are saying goodbye to gray kitchen ideas, what are the best colors to use in their place? While the obvious alternatives for this cool neutral are the likes of taupe, beige, and warm-toned whites, going a bit bolder with more colorful kitchen color ideas seems to be designers' favored route right now.
'Kitchen walls are a fun opportunity to play around because they're typically at a minimum,' notes interior designer Caitlin Creer. Below, we've chosen three gray wall alternatives for your kitchen to inspire you to bring some uplifting (yet liveable) color into the most important room of the home.
1. Sage Green
'Sage green is the perfect alternative to gray for kitchen walls,' says interior designer Emma Beryl Kemper, who opted for a light sage green paint on the walls in the kitchen pictured above.
'I often recommend it to my clients because it pairs beautifully with both warm woods and sleek metals, making it incredibly versatile,' Emma adds. 'When decorating a sage green kitchen, layering textures is key. Don't be afraid to incorporate linen textiles, stone kitchen countertops, and oak cabinetry, accented with brass hardware for a refined, timeless finish.'
When choosing a sage green paint for your kitchen walls, err on the side of caution and go for a muted option that won't overwhelm your room. 'I love the idea of an earthy but watery green like Benjamin Moore's Mountain Air that would add some depth but not be overwhelming,' comments Caitlin Creer. 'We just used this shade as a trim color, and I love that it feels like a color, but in a subtle, grounding way, and it freshens up everything around it.'
Or, if you want a gray alternative that still feels neutral, go even lighter with a green-toned gray paint, suggests Los Angeles-based interior designer Jacqueline Goncalves of Moksa Design. 'I recently used Benjamin Moore's Heather Gray in a kitchen, and it brought in just the right amount of color while still feeling calm and neutral.'
Go for Boringdon Green, a sage green paint, to add warmth to your kitchen walls.
If you're not ready to go too colorful, opt for a gray-based green such as French Gray.
A favorite for Emma Beryl Kemper, this pale green paint keeps walls subtle and neutral.
2. Plaster Pink
'For homeowners looking to move away from gray, I recommend soft, earthy pinks,' says Michelle Murphy, the founder of interior design studio Demi Ryan. Decorating with plaster tones is not only on-trend, but it adds softness and warmth to a room, which often can't be achieved with cool-toned grays. These tones are a great way to add a hint of color to your kitchen walls, and so long as you opt for a muted pink paint, it will feel grown-up and sophisticated.
'One favorite is Benjamin Moore's Pink Damask – a whisper of blush that reads neutral but feels fresh and on-trend,' Michelle adds. 'It’s flattering, inviting, and plays beautifully with white cabinetry, brass, or aged bronze hardware. It also allows artwork, stone, and wood elements to stand out. My tip is to treat pinks like neutrals: the right soft hue adds warmth without being too sweet.'
This plaster pink paint is a stylish alternative to gray, offering more warmth but maintaining a sophisticated look.
Go slightly lighter with Masquerade – Mid, a soft plaster pink that doesn't come across too sweet.
3. Light Blue
While decorating with blue can feel like a bolder step away from gray, you shouldn't rule it out as a kitchen wall color. The best pale blue paints can keep your room feeling light and airy, while providing enough color to keep your space interesting.
Lauren Robbins, the founder and lead designer at Lauren Robbins Interiors, used Benjamin Moore's Yarmouth Blue to color-drench this kitchen, taking it across the walls and cabinets. 'Yarmouth Blue is a great blue with depth that works well with whites and rich woods,' says Lauren. 'We love color-saturating walls, trim, and ceilings with the color and using different sheens to create depth.'
Alternatively, Lisa Gilmore, the founder and principal designer at Lisa Gilmore Design, recommends a blue paint with green undertones for kitchen walls: 'Rainwashed by Sherwin-Williams is a wonderful, refreshing blue-green that isn't too overpowering. It pairs well with most shades of white as well as light and dark wood tones. I love that you can pair happier colors such as yellow, pink, and green with it. It would also look nice with a more minimalist approach, with cream and white pairings.'
Keep your scheme grounded with a gray-toned blue such as Parma Gray.
For a more uplifting look, Brighton is a stylish choice, and it doesn't feel too cool thanks to its green undertones.
Keep your kitchen walls light and airy with Ocean Air – adding a touch of soothing blue to your scheme.
Which of these colors will you try? Whichever you're most drawn to, remember to sample shades first so you can see how they look as the light changes throughout the day. And, if you're looking for more inspiration, the latest kitchen color trends will give you more guidance from designers.
