The quiet rise of clay tones in kitchens

New Kitchen Design

Cool greys have had a long run in British kitchens. For the better part of a decade, almost every refit seemed to land somewhere between mushroom and slate. We're now starting to see that change, quietly. The shift is towards warm, grounded tones — soft clays, dusty terracottas, gentle ochres. They feel lived-in rather than stark, and the rooms are kinder to be in for it.

The trend has been building for a couple of seasons in Milan and Paris, where designers have been drawing on Mediterranean palettes. The British heritage paint houses have followed. Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster sits squarely in this family — a chalky, unsaturated pink-clay that reads as a warm neutral. Little Greene's Tuscan Red is a richer cousin for those wanting more depth. Both shades read warm without tipping into pink, which is the line clay colours have to walk carefully.

Kitchens are where these tones come into their own. Painted Shaker cabinets in a dusty clay sit beautifully against natural oak worktops, unlacquered brass handles, and aged stone. North-facing kitchens benefit most — clay adds a warmth that grey could never offer, particularly in late afternoon. We've finished a few projects in this direction across Solihull and Sutton Coldfield this spring, and the rooms feel noticeably calmer for it. The same palette works in pantries and small adjoining spaces — anywhere a kitchen extends.

What we like is that clay tones don't shout. They sit comfortably with stone, wood, linen, and brass. They photograph well in the soft, low Midlands light. Unlike some of the bolder colours of the early 2020s, they age well. A clay kitchen now will still feel right in five years' time. That matters when you're painting cabinetry — the work isn't trivial, and you want the colour to last as a choice, not just as paint.

If you're thinking about a softer, warmer direction for your kitchen this year, drop us a message. Happy to talk through colours, finishes, and what would work in your particular light.

Phone +44 (0)7305 162 248.