Designing a kitchen often costs a lot of money, so when choosing a color scheme, you need to get it right from the beginning. Rich, dark tones are trending these days, but Shea McGee champions warm neutrals as the way to go in 2025.
I recently spoke with the interior designer herself to get her thoughts on next year’s kitchen color ideas. Her approach is all about the most enduring and timeless hues.
Whether your kitchen has a rustic or modern style, neutrals are probably the most classic and foolproof color choice. Read about Shea’s current thoughts on decorating the heart of your home with neutral colors. This is as stylish as you can imagine.
(Image courtesy of Studio McGee)
The latest kitchen color trends favor the boldest hues, from dark green to the deepest blue, but is this a timeless choice?
Of course, your kitchen should be informed by your favorite colors and the color stories that run throughout your home, but the timeless appeal of neutrals is worth considering. Specifically, warm neutrals that bring a cozy, homey feel and create a light, airy look are arguably the most classic of colors, yet they also have a “livable” feel that bolder colors don’t give. Guaranteed atmosphere.
“I think neutral colors will always reign supreme in kitchen design, and there will be moments of brightness and bands of shade changing between light and dark,” Shea told me. Ta. “At least for my clients, I always want to feel like my investments will last a long time.”
If your style consistently favors bold colors, your investment may be well suited to a colorful kitchen plan. However, if you’re choosing bold shades just to stay on trend, you might want to switch things up again next season.
(Image courtesy of Studio McGee)
Warm, neutral paint is a good option, but Shea points out that natural wood kitchens are popular. Taking advantage of the warmth of this natural material, there are many different warm tones available from wood, so there are many variations depending on how light or dark you want it to be.
“So now we’re making a lot of oak,” Shea explains. “It feels like a medium-toned oak. And some of our clients are pursuing darker stains. I don’t think anyone is looking for a white kitchen right now. .”
“I think the cool thing about design now is that the wood shade isn’t ‘it’,” the designer added. “I think we’re looking at different shades.”
Wooden kitchens are definitely timeless and are particularly suited to farmhouse or rustic kitchens, but they can also be designed to be sophisticated to fit modern kitchen ideas. Additionally, there are many ways to add charm to your wooden kitchen cabinets and achieve a modern look.
“All of my clients are looking to incorporate richness into their kitchens in some way,” adds Shea. “It might just be painting the pantry a really dark color.”
This approach is illustrated in the pantry at Studio Magee’s Tahoe Pines project, pictured above, painted in a cool-toned charcoal called Flint by Benjamin Moore. Adding a pop of bold color to a small area like the pantry is a great way to add an unexpected hit of color, while for the rest of the kitchen, keep warm neutrals classic and timeless. Equipped with:
“The Art of Home” by Shay McGee
Get inspiration for your kitchen planning with Shea’s latest book, The Art of Home, packed with helpful design tips and advice.
If your kitchen needs a refresh or you’re remodeling, consider choosing 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 popular paint colors to help with your planning.
