House Digest Survey: Which Paint Color Would You Prefer For Your Kitchen?

Because interior design trends come and go so quickly, it can be hard to pinpoint what homeowners will enjoy in the future. However, this doesn't stop experts from trying to predict trends. According to an interview with Insider, designer Julia Dempster believes the most popular kitchen colors are soon going to shift from cool white and gray neutrals to vibrant colors and warmer choices. Insider also predicts that lighter tones will be mixed with darker hues. For instance, if a kitchen has white cabinets, decorators may start leaning towards dark wood floors or black marble countertops to create contrast.

To discover if this shift is actually happening, House Digest asked 629 people this question: Which paint color would you prefer for your kitchen? Participants could choose from gray, white, red, beige, or brown. If the predictions above were right, we'd expect to see the warm beige, brown, or bright red take center stage over white and gray. Below, you'll discover if this was reflected in the results. 

While some may have expected warm beige to come out on top, white was actually the clear winner, as it gained nearly 37% of the vote from 231 people. According to Bakes & Kropp, white will always be a timeless and classic choice because the versatile option can be used in just about any style home. White is often revered for its ability to make a small room feel more spacious and create a feeling of cleanliness. However, there are some downsides to using white, per O'Hanlon Kitchens, including that the hue can go too far and make a space feel uninviting or too large. It also lacks the extra layer of interest that a brighter color would offer. Further, while all-white home décor used to be very popular, more recently, this tone has been mixed with darker shades in the countertops or flooring, as designers predicted (via Insider).

The next most popular choice was gray, which was chosen by 179 participants, or 29% of the vote. Wolf Home Products recommends gray for those worried about their home appearing dirty, as it can provide a luxurious look that will hide scrapes or grease stains. A lighter toned gray can brighten up a small kitchen, while a darker shade can bring in sophistication. Gray can also have colorful undertones, such as blue, if desired, allowing it to match many different styles and materials.

After gray, beige was the next most popular option, with 24% of participants choosing it, or 153 votes. Just like white, beige is a classic choice, but it provides much more warmth. Those who want to lean into warm shades may enjoy this option, as it's not too bold and it still feels inviting.

According to Domino, brown isn't a popular choice, and this was reflected in the survey, as only 40 people chose this option, giving it 6% of the vote. However, because brown can be made to look similar to wood, it could be a cheaper option that provides a natural look. Brown may also be appealing because it's moody without being as cold and dark as black. Finally, red came in last, with only 4% of the vote, chosen by 26 participants. HGTV says this is probably the case because red is so bold that it may feel overwhelming; typically, this color is used in either futuristic or retro style kitchens. Those going for a more classic feel should lean into darker tones, while those hoping to create a modern look should opt for a brighter shade.