When it’s chilly outside, there’s no better place to be than a nice, warm, cozy kitchen. If your kitchen’s current look leaves you cold, check out the top trends we’re seeing in kitchen colors.

NOT (ALL) WHITE

Image: Pinterest

According to Houzz, all-white kitchens are out and color is in, though the non-white alternatives are a mixed bag of paint colors and wood tones. Off-white still has a place in homeowners’ hearts, as do white upper cabinets paired with wood or colorful lowers.

LEAFY GREENS

Image: The Savvy Folks

Emerald green and other jewel tones are moving away from out of the kitchen spotlight and heading backstage into smaller spaces like pantries and bars. This year, designers are into nature-inspired shades of green that help bring the outside in.

STAINED WOOD

Image: HomemadeGraceful

Likely a continuation of the “bring nature inside” trend we’ve seen over the last few years, stained wood cabinets are moving up the charts. These are not the deep, dark cabinets of the nineties, though, as medium-to-light wood tones are favored.

WARM NEUTRALS

Image: Pinterest

Warm neutrals (think mushroom, stone and putty) are at the top of several lists—and not just for cabinets. Refreshing a kitchen’s walls can make a huge difference at a fraction of the time, effort and cost of changing the cabinet color.

SOFT BLUES

Image: ApartmentABC

Soft blues are also predicted to be popular. It’s no wonder: depending on how and where they’re used, dusty or powder blues can evoke a calm, cottage feel or a cool, modern vibe. And who doesn’t want to feel calm and cool while they’re cooking over a hot stove after a long day?

When you’re ready to spice up your kitchen’s color scheme, contact us for a quote. Together, we can make your kitchen look delicious­­—whether you actually cook in it or not.

The post WHAT’S COOKING IN 2026 KITCHEN COLORS appeared first on ProTek Professional Painting Services.

GET ORGANIZED (FOR REAL THIS TIME)

Image: Container Store

Try it, you’ll like it! At least, you’ll like the result. If the thought of tackling this kind of project makes you want to go hide under the covers until the urge passes, these hacks for storing your holiday items are a good place to start. Then check out our general tips on organizing for other parts of your home. For extra credit you can tackle the garage.

GO ALL IN WITH COLOR

Image: Marie Flanigan Interiors, photography Julie Soefer

Color drenching—painting walls, trim and ceiling all one color—is a trend that looks like it’s going to stick around and we’re loving it. Before you grab a roller and go to town, you’ll need to make some decisions…like which type of paint to choose. (The sheen can make a big difference to the final look!)

REDECORATE WITH THINGS YOU ALREADY OWN

Image: interiordesign.lovetoknow.com

According to people who track these things, one in five Americans included financial goals in their NY resolutions last year. Here’s one way to save money: before spending shelling out on new décor, shop your house before clicking the “place your order” button. Here’s how.

ADD PIZAZZ TO A CLOSET

Image: Next Luxury

So, your home looks fabulous, but you still have the itch to redecorate something? Or you don’t have the time or money for a big project but would like to do something to add a little flair. Look no further than your closet.

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

Image: Kaboompics.com

Design help, that is. Sometimes the best design decision you can make for your home is to call in a professional. Before you do, check out these 7 tips for working with an interior designer. FYI, you don’t necessarily have to do your own painting, either. Like mama used to say: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Why don’t you put down that paintbrush and contact us for a quote?

DECORATE WITH JOY

Image:  Novus Decor

“Love and joy come to you…” the Christmas carol says, and 2026 could be the year for joy to come to your home décor. Ingrid Fetell Lee, designer and author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, says, “A joyful home is the foundation of a joyful life.” See her thoughts on how to make your home joyful.

Happy new year!

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HIDDEN GEM BY BEHR

Image: Behr

Behr describes Hidden Gem as “a smoky jade that embodies an air of mystery and sophistication” and promised it will create “spaces that feel both grounded and alive.” It’s a color that speaks in hushed tones—definitely there, but not pushy.

WARM MAHOGANY BY GLIDDEN

Image: Glidden

More outgoing than Hidden Gem, Glidden says Warm Mahogany is “bold enough to draw immediate attention and reserved enough to make a timeless statement” and claims it’s suited for “any style, any space, any mood.” A good option for places where you want to make a statement, but don’t want to shout.

MELODIOUS IVORY BY DUTCH BOY

Image:  Dutch Boy

When you want the attention to be on the items on your wall rather than the wall itself, Melodious Ivory may be just the color to make your heart sing. Dutch Boy calls it “a timeless, creamy shade that makes your space feel effortlessly you” with a “nostalgic, elevated vibe.”

WARM EUCALYPTUS BY VALSPAR 

Image: Valspar

If you feel the need for comfort and reassurance—and these days, who doesn’t?—consider adding Warm Eucalyptus to your home’s color scheme. “This is a color that encourages restoration and resilience,” says Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar. “Its warm undertones create a grounded, welcoming mood while drawing inspiration from nature and the familiarity of retro design.”

ANTHOLOGY: VOLUME TWO BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS 

Image: Sherwin Williams

Not content with choosing just one color (maybe they couldn’t decide?) Sherwin Williams offers up four palettes of colors for 2026 in what they’re calling “Anthology: Volume Two.” Grape Mist (shown) is from the Frosted Tints collection of “icy tinted pastels in whispers of blue, green, and purple.” Other options include Sunbaked Hues (“natural clay, buttery yellow, and intensely enriched red”), Restorative Darks (“deep, nocturnal colors” that “make a quietly compelling impact”) and Foundational Neutrals (“the most essential neutrals of the moment”).

SPECIAL WALNUT BY MINWAX

Image: Minwax

Did you know? That “color of the year” designation is not just for paint. Stain colors go in and out of fashion as well. For 2026, Minwax offers up Special Walnut, which Lisbeth Parada, their Color Marketing Manager, says was “inspired by the comfort of familiar spaces and the charm of reclaimed materials,” and designed to help you “slow down, try something new and create with confidence.”  

There you have it: the 2026 Colors of the Year. Do any of them strike your fancy? If so, make the process of applying it as calm and comforting as the color and leave the painting to us. Contact us for a consultation today.

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LINOLEUM FLOORS

Image: BBFrosh.com

When you dream of tile, but you’re stuck with dated linoleum and not much money, Kristin’s bathroom floor transformation may be just the inspiration you need. Plus, she offers great tips and advice for making sure your project comes out the way you want it to. Will it fool people into thinking it’s actual tile? Probably not. Does it look a thousand times better than it did? The pictures above speak for themselves.

See how she did it.

WOOD FLOORS

Image: Alisa Burke

Anyone who lives in the South has seen more than a few wood plank floors painted a solid color. It’s a good look that works well in many spaces. But what if you want to jazz up a space with a custom rug that (bonus!) will not slip, slide or trip anyone? Pull out the paintbrushes and follow Alisa’s example. But first—unless pawprints are your design motif of choice—put up the cat.

See how she did it the first time and how she updated it a year later.

CERAMIC TILE FLOORS

Image: Bright Green Door

Oh, those lovely, trendy cement tiles. They’re beautiful, heavy and expensive. Get the look for a fraction of the price—with no demo!—by painting existing ceramic tiles instead. Jess at Bright Green Door ordered custom stencils for her project, but these days you can probably find what you need at a craft store near you.

See how they did it.

SUBFLOORS

Image: Suburban Rustic

What do you do when your carpet can’t be saved—and needs to go right now—but you can’t afford to replace the floor? Take a leaf from SuburbanRustic.com and paint the subfloor to look like wide-plank flooring. What have you got to lose? You can always cover it up later, when budget allows.

See how they did it.

CONCRETE FLOORS

Image: Amber Oliver

Painted porch rugs have been popular for a few years now, but you don’t have to make things complicated with fancy stencils and multiple colors. Something as simple as wall-to-edge stripes can cheer up a space and add a pop of personality to an otherwise boring slab of concrete—in just one weekend.

See how they did it.

If you read this far and are now raring to paint your floors yourself, go for it! On the other hand, if you love the look but not the thought of DIY, contact us to do the work for you.

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But using the same color doesn’t necessarily mean using the same finish, or sheen, of paint on every surface. Which one should you use where? The answers are below. Note: Experts recommend buying all of your color drenching paint types from the same brand, as color-matching may or may not work in this application.

FLAT

Image: Benjamin Moore

Flat paint is most often used for ceilings, for good reasons. It has finish that’s a little on the chalky side and doesn’t reflect light. That means it can help hide any imperfections (especially when viewed from below) but also makes it hard to clean. Since most of us don’t wipe down our ceilings on a regular basis, the masking abilities tend to outweigh the cleanability factor. If you’re thinking of painting your ceiling yourself, check out How To Paint A Ceiling In 4 Easy Steps from Benjamin Moore.

MATTE

Image: Color Concierge

Matte is a little bit glossier than flat, but you may not be able to see the difference. This finish is a little easier to clean (wipe-able but not wash-able) but is still best used for low-traffic areas. That said, some designers have gone all in with Matte and painted everything with it, as shown in the image above.

EGGSHELL

Image: Dulux

Eggshell is a popular choice for walls. It has a slight gloss, which reflects a bit more light than the previous two options. Eggshell is more durable and easier to clean than flat or Matte but still helps hide small imperfections. It also tends to be a little less expensive than another popular choice for walls, Satin.

SATIN

Image: DesigningIdea.com

Satin is Eggshell’s shinier, tougher sister. It’s not as good at hiding imperfections as Eggshell because it reflects more light, which can highlight dings and dents. It’s stronger and easier to clean, though, which makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and bathrooms.  

GLOSS/HIGH GLOSS

Image House of Brinson

Gloss (and its bestie, High Gloss) are the shiniest sheens in town. They’re highly reflective, easy to clean and can take more punishment than the other sheens. That makes them great for baseboards, doors, built-ins and any features you’d like to highlight, like the decorative trim in the image above. (The walls pictured are Farrow and Ball’s version of Eggshell, which they call “modern emulsion.”)

On thing to consider with Gloss is that it does have a way of emphasizing imperfections, so you might not want to paint everything in the room with it. Then again…you might. Check out this room in all its glossy glory:

Image: Marie Flanigan Interiors, photography Julie Soefer

If all this talk of shine and sheen has your head in a whirl, don’t worry. Just contact us. We’re experts in paint types and application and will be happy to drench your room in any color you choose.

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IF IT’S TOO DARK, LIGHTEN UP

Image:  Glidden

That seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? While you might also benefit from better/brighter lighting, the easiest way to freshen up the look of a bathroom is a fresh coat of white or white-ish paint. The one pictured above is Hourglass by Glidden, an ultra-soft white color from their 2025 collection that pairs well with many colors. If a lighter wall paint sheds light on the subject but you miss deeper hues, consider painting the vanity a contrasting color.

IF YOU WANT DRAMA, GO DARK

Image: Behr

Maybe light and bright isn’t what you’re after. In that case, go bold with a deep, rich color. Maybe something like Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, described as “a luxurious ruby red” that will add “warmth and rich allure.” Doesn’t that sound elegant? Do make sure you have sufficient lighting so you’re not fumbling for your toothbrush in the dark. 

FEELING PLAYFUL BUT WANT TO KEEP IT CLASSY? ADD PATTERN.

Image: Thomas Cook for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Like this bathroom striped in Sherwin Williams’ 2025 Color of the Year for HGTV Home, Quietude. “A soft sage with a whisper of blue influence, Quietude is an emerging color for enduring design and soothes any space inside or out.” If stripes aren’t your thing, you can always choose a different pattern. Buffalo plaid, anyone?

SELLING SOON? STICK WITH NEUTRALS

Image: Sherwin Williams

You want to appeal to the maximum number of buyers, so a color that plays well with many styles is a good choice. Sunbleached, from Sherwin Williams’ 2025 Color Capsule of the Year, is described as “poised between warm and cool, an adaptable and airy light neutral that is deeper than white, not quite gray, and ventures beyond beige or taupe.” Basically, it goes with everything.

NEED A CALM OASIS? GO BLUE.

Image:  Dutch Boy

Color experts have told us for years that blue is a soothing color, and Mapped Blue—Dutch Boy’s 2025 Color of the Year—is no exception. This timeless medium-tone blue is not too dark, not too light, and sure to look great for years to come.

WHEN ONE COLOR IS JUST NOT ENOUGH: CONSIDER WALLPAPER

Image:  Giffywalls

Wallpaper is fun, trendy, and—thanks to the wide range of peel and stick options—easier than ever to apply. Plus, the options are almost endless: geometrics (the one pictured above is Pattern Play from Giffywalls), florals, classic prints, even murals. That’s one way to get a great view from the tub! Bonus: bathrooms tend to be smaller than other spaces, so there’s less wall to cover, and less wallpaper to buy, making it more affordable than you might think. “But,” we hear you asking, “Can you use peel and stick wallpaper in a bathroom?” Probably! Learn more.

So, are you inspired to freshen up your bathroom walls? If you like the look but don’t want to do the work, no worries! We can take care of that for you. Request a consultation to get started.

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1. WOOD TONES

Image:  ShenandoahCabinetry.com

Specifically, light wood tones. According to The Spruce, white oak and walnut are the current species of choice, though darker tones may be on their way back, as well. Sustainable woods like birch and alder are also popular choices. If all wood all the time is a little too much lumber for your taste, try pairing wood uppers with painted lowers, as shown above. Speaking of mixing and matching…

2. A MIX OF VINTAGE + MODERN

Image:   OG Kitchens

When you can’t choose between vintage and modern design…don’t. Choose, that is. Feel free to mix styles to make a blend that is uniquely you. For example, love shaker cabinets but don’t want to be that predictable? Check out the new kid on the cabinet door block, the “skinny shaker.” Consider pairing it with modern (or industrial or vintage) hardware. Maybe you like your existing cabinets but think they’d be better with a pop of a midcentury modern color. Or vintage glass knobs. Or both. If you love the way it looks together, let your imagination run wild!

3. WARM COLORS

That’s warm, not hot—we’re not talking fire engine red here. Subtle creamy taupes and creams, warm beiges, browns, greys and greens may be the missing ingredient in your kitchen design. As our Canadian friends said about the kitchen pictured above, “…beige offers a backdrop that is warm, inviting, and mellow without being obtrusive: perfect for letting the meals and guests shine!” That applies to other soft warm hues, too. When you’re ready for a color change, contact us.

4. ALL ABOUT ISLANDS

Image:  Allinfohome.com

Kitchen islands themselves are not new, of course; they’ve been part of kitchen design for decades. Recently, though, they’ve grown larger, more colorful, and offered more seating than ever before. That’s probably because many families are opting out of designated dining rooms and using their kitchen island as their everyday dining room table. Islands also remain one of the most popular places to add a contrasting color to kitchen decor.

5. OPEN SHELVING

Image:  whatisinteriordesignabout.com

The open shelving trend continues to thrive, but anyone who’s ever tried to find storage for plastic containers or less-than-lovely drinkware will appreciate that some things are best kept behind closed doors. That said, they are a wonderful way to display carefully curated collections of whatever you want to show off. If the ubiquitous rustic-boards-on-a-wall look doesn’t do it for you, consider the possibilities of sleek open shelves paired with ‘regular’ cabinets in a modern minimalist kitchen.  

Whether you opt for a full-on kitchen remodel or choose to tweak your current kitchen, here’s hoping the result will be delicious. Bon Appetit!

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COLORS

Image:  Tomas Espinoza on HGTV

This year, all those buttoned-up gray/white/black combos so beloved by house flippers are taking a backseat to color. There’s no one hue at the top of the heap—we’ve seen everything from calm coastal shades to vibrant vintage vibes to deep moody hues. And by color, we don’t just mean paint on the walls; check out those beautiful glazed tiles in the image above, from the guest bathroom in HGTV’s Smart Home 2024.

PATTERNS

Image: Little Greene on RealHomes.com

Wild wallpapers, mosaic tiles, deeply veined marble and patterned floors are all showing up in designer bathrooms—even on some ceilings. And why not? The most personal of spaces, a bathroom is a place you can let your inner decorator go a little wild. Or maybe a lot wild. Your call.

CURVES

Image: KBB Focus

Sinks and tubs have come in circular and oval shapes for generations, but rounded edges on counters, arched entrances, and mirrors with arched tops or rounded corners, etc. are popping up in bathrooms everywhere. Curves are naturally more relaxing than sharp, pointy edges so why not make your surroundings as soothing as possible?

NATURAL MATERIALS

Image:  Decorilla

Last month we talked about bringing the outdoors into your home office and the back-to-nature trend doesn’t stop there. Organic materials, wood tones, natural stone and plants are a big part of current bathroom designs. It does make sense to surround yourself with nature when going au naturel, right?

PLASTER WALLS

Image:  Studio 1 Plaster

Say your dream bath is in… Tuscany, or somewhere equally romantic. Plaster walls will give you that dreamy old-world vibe. On the other hand, if you’re a modern minimalist, smooth plaster walls may be just what you need. Venetian plaster and limewash are both beautiful and potential DIY projects. Pro tip:  Talk to us before you decide to tackle it yourself.

You can’t avoid your bathroom; sooner or later, you’re going to have to spend time in there. So why not make it as nice as it can possibly be? Let us know if we can help turn your tired bathroom into the spa of your dreams.

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1. GO BOLD

Image: Maverick Studio Photography for BY Design

If the thought of painting a whole room—or even a whole wall—in a color that’s not white makes you nervous, consider painting your trim instead. It’s a great way to add pizazz and personality to your space without going overboard. It’s also a way to highlight features like the stairs and French doors pictured above. But if that’s a little too wild for you, you can always…

2. GO SOFT

Images:  Siobhan McFadden & Amanda Kirkpatrick on Emily Henderson

Contrasting color doesn’t have to raise its voice. The softer, subtler look of the rooms pictured above whisper sweet nothings about their trim, adding charm without being pushy. The barely-there difference between the wall and trim colors highlights the features of the room but doesn’t steal the focus from the rest of the décor. However, if a contrasting color doesn’t suit your style, maybe you should…

3. GO ALL-IN

Image: Sean Litchfield from Casagrande Studio

Just paint everything the same color. Walls, trim, ceiling, the works. While you’ll want to choose your color with care—the room pictured above would be a cave without those big windows, multiple lights and white cabinets—a solid backdrop can really make the things in the room stand out. For example, that waterfall island wouldn’t be nearly as dramatic surrounded by light grey or white. If you like the look but aren’t ready to commit to that level of drama, you could opt to…

4. GO PART-WAY IN

Image:  David Tsay from HGTV Magazine

Rather than painting everything the same color, use that color on the trim + built-ins and/or chair rail. That will tie everything together but keep you from overloading on one color. To add even more colors to your design, consider using a pattern on your walls. Then you can…

5. GO WITH THE WALLPAPER

Image: Making Pretty Spaces

Pull a main color from your wallpaper to ease the transition or go with something completely different—but complementary—to break up the pattern. Pro tip: you don’t have to use the same color on all the trim in a room. Did you spot that the trim in the image is a combo of green and white? If none of these options work for you, your best option might be to…

6. GO CLASSIC

Image:  Douglas Sheppard on Unsplash

Non-traditional colors are great, but classic white and cream are colors too, and might be perfect for your space and style. Just make sure you pay attention to the undertones in your room color when choosing a white(ish) shade. Warm wall colors need warm trim; cool walls play better with cool trim tones.

If you love one of these looks but don’t really want to tackle painting your trim yourself, and you’re in Middle Tennessee, you’re in luck! Our ProTek team is licensed, insured, and ready to hear from you. Contact us to take the first step to make your design dream a reality.

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COLOR

Image:  Lauren Chambers Interiors

It’s time to say goodbye to all those monochromatic shades of grey color schemes. That doesn’t mean you have to toss everything out and start from scratch. Try adding splashes of color with a cheerful new rug, artwork or painted furniture. For even more impact, consider adding a personality with a fresh paint color on your built-ins, walls or ceiling. We can help! Contact us to learn more.

VINTAGE PIECES

Image:  Julian Hochgesang

Nothing says home like Nana’s rocking chair (or whatever beloved hand-me-down you’ve picked up along the way). If you don’t have family “heirlooms” to work with, not to worry: that’s what antique stores and flea markets are for. This year, designers are mixing vintage with modern for an eclectic style that’s comfortable and character-full. Not sure how to put it all together? Check out these tips from BHG.

TEXTURED WALLS

Image:  True Value

We’re seeing designers move away from flat white, shiny reflective surfaces, and with good reason. ‘Textured walls can be a strategic design choice to hide imperfections or irregularities in the wall surface,’ say Rashi Bothra and Ruchi Gehani, founders and interior designers of Azure Interiors (on LivingEtc.com).

CURVES

Image: Italian Bark

Everyone is talking about the uptick in curved furniture—and they don’t just mean sofas and chairs. Sectionals and coffee tables are also leaving the straight and narrow. Even rugs are getting into the act with random shapes. Be sure to try before you buy—that curvy loveseat may look fabulous, but be uncomfortable to sit on, especially for more than one person trying to have a conversation.

STATEMENT LIGHTING

Image:  Lamps Plus

That old ceiling fan just isn’t cutting it anymore. Designers are turning to large-scale fixtures, pieces featuring Murano glass, Victorian-inspired chandeliers and sculptural shapes to shine a new light on things. Per Forbes, another trend to watch is “monochromatic lighting schemes”—think lampshades and bases in the same color, repeated throughout the room.   

What do you think? Are you going to follow one of these trends or start one of your own? Whatever you decide, make sure your choices reflect your personality and lifestyle. A home that doesn’t feel like you just won’t be comfortable, no matter how trendy it is. Happy decorating!

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