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Interior designers interviewed by House Beautiful say red is gaining favor as an alternative to the neutral kitchens that have dominated home design. They recommend choosing a shade carefully and balancing it with warm neutrals, stone, wood, metal or texture; the report does not establish how widespread the trend is.
Interior designers are incorporating red into kitchens as an alternative to familiar white, cream and ivory palettes, according to a report by House Beautiful. The designers describe using shades such as burgundy and earthy red, while advising homeowners to balance the color with neutral finishes and textured materials.
The report frames red as a more expressive choice for kitchens, where pale neutrals have long been common. British interior designer Uns Hobbs told House Beautiful that some homeowners want more personality in their spaces and have grown tired of playing it safe. Her own kitchen uses deVOL’s Refectory Red, which she described as rich and bold while still feeling timeless.
Designers featured in the report use different approaches rather than prescribing one shade. New York architect Kevin Lichten said a project for a family drawn to Victorian colors used Benjamin Moore’s Red Parrot, which he characterized as earthy and organic. A city apartment by Opa Architecture uses Benjamin Moore’s Classic Burgundy on a kitchen peninsula, bringing red into one prominent feature rather than every surface.
The designers also stress that the surrounding finishes shape the result. Lichten paired red lower cabinets with gray upper cabinets, while Hobbs recommends warm neutrals and materials such as granite, brass, marble and wood. Opa Architecture’s Aria Jahanshahi said texture and supporting details can soften a dominant red tone. These are designers’ recommendations and project examples, not evidence that red kitchens are now common across the housing market.
Red Brings Color Back to Kitchens
The shift described in the report matters to homeowners because kitchen finishes are often chosen to remain visually versatile over time. Red offers a clear departure from subdued palettes, but its prominence can make it a higher-commitment choice than a neutral wall or cabinet color. The examples show ways to limit that commitment: use red on a peninsula or lower cabinets, or set it against calmer upper cabinets and natural materials.
The designers’ comments also connect the color choice to how kitchens are used. Jahanshahi described the room as a place for family routines and informal gathering, not just food preparation. That is his design perspective, not a measured finding about household behavior. The practical takeaway is that anyone considering the look should weigh the desired atmosphere, the amount of red, and how the color works with existing finishes.
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From Pale Palettes to Deeper Reds
House Beautiful presents the move toward red against a backdrop of kitchens commonly finished in white, cream and ivory. Its report includes projects using red in different forms, from a burgundy peninsula to painted cabinetry, as well as designers’ advice on how to keep the color from overwhelming a room.
The article also mentions red’s association with appetite and fast-food branding, but Jahanshahi rejects the idea that red kitchens should be read as a response to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. He instead points to kitchens’ role as gathering spaces. The report offers no survey data or sales figures connecting the color trend to either explanation.
“People have become a little bored with playing it safe and want more personality in their homes.”
— Uns Hobbs, British interior designer, in comments to House Beautiful
How Broad Is the Red Kitchen Trend?
The report features designers’ opinions and selected projects, but it does not quantify how many homeowners are choosing red or show whether demand for the color is increasing across the wider market. It also does not compare the durability, resale performance or maintenance needs of red finishes with neutral ones. The phrase “having a moment” is the report’s characterization, not a market statistic.
It remains a matter of personal preference whether red will feel lasting in a particular home. The designers offer ways to make the look feel more balanced, but their recommendations do not guarantee that a bold color will suit every kitchen or future buyer.
Choosing a Shade and Testing It
For homeowners weighing the look, the designers’ guidance points to deciding first how much red to use and whether a deeper burgundy or earthier shade better fits the room. Pairing the color with samples of cabinet finishes, counters, flooring and hardware can help reveal how the full palette works together. The House Beautiful report does not announce a product launch or a formal industry forecast; its next step for readers is a design decision, not a scheduled event.
Key Questions
What red shades are designers using in kitchens?
The House Beautiful report highlights burgundy and earthier reds, including Benjamin Moore’s Classic Burgundy and Red Parrot, as well as deVOL’s Refectory Red. The featured designers favor shades that feel warm or organic rather than overly artificial.
Does a red kitchen need red cabinets throughout?
No. The report includes a kitchen peninsula painted burgundy and a project with red lower cabinets and gray upper cabinets. These examples show ways to use red on selected surfaces, though the right approach depends on the room and the homeowner’s preference.
What materials can balance red kitchen finishes?
Hobbs recommends warm neutrals, granite, brass, marble, wood, vintage art and ceramics. Jahanshahi also emphasizes texture and supporting details to soften the effect of a bold color.
Is red replacing neutral kitchens across the market?
The report does not provide market data to show that red is replacing neutral kitchens broadly. It documents designers’ views and selected projects, so the scale of the trend remains unclear.
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