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Based purely on the numbers, the most popular kitchen cabinet colors are white and wood. But when we take a look around, it feels like green has been dominating renovations. Sage, pea, forest, lime—we’ve come across every shade in the past five years. Even celebrities like Aaron Paul and top designers like Jeremiah Brent are suckers for green kitchen cabinets. And when we polled experts on the topic just a few weeks ago, they admitted they want to see even more green tones.
It’s safe to say green kitchens aren’t going anywhere in 2026. The only difference now is that designers aren’t always reaching for a can of paint. Instead, they’re choosing stains that allow the movement of the grain to shine through. Here are five spaces that prove the trend is finally evolving.
Splurge on Pre-Stained Veneer
Karin Bohn of House of Bohn is one of those pros who opted for a semi-transparent green finish on a client’s white oak cabinets. The results are stunning, but achieving a uniform look is tricky, so consider spending more on a product that’ll look even. “More costly, premium wood veneers, such as the Italian line Tabu, offer a refined solution by delivering a more consistent finish and controlled color tone,” shares Bohn.
While white and stainless steel counters have been a popular pairing with stained green cabinets, Bohn went full force with bold green marble. Verde Guatemala and Breccia D’Eggito would be our go-to picks for a monochromatic space like this.
Practice Patience with an Oil Wax
U.K.-based bespoke kitchen designer Jetsam Made pulled RAL 6011 (also called Reseda Green) for this space’s cabinets and powder-coated steel frame. The birch plywood fronts are swathed in OSMO oil wax for a natural, earthy finish. The catch: oil-based stains take a long time to dry, and each coat needs to be wiped back after it’s applied. Think of it like you’re slowly building layers over time.
Keep It Fuss-Free with Flat Slabs
Knowing her client was obsessed with Emma Chamberlain’s green L.A. kitchen, designer Tabitha Organ put a spin on the look for his London renovation, swathing his tulipwood cabinets in a satiny green stain from Mundy Veneers. Her take reads a little futuristic thanks to the chunky polished nickel handles from Spaces Within as well as the contemporary flat slab doors.
Choose Simple Knobs
With a bold stain like this, it’s better to go simple with other material selections, notes Bohn. “[It] allows the color to stand on its own and truly shine,” she says. Humble wood knobs, plug-in lighting, and a steel backsplash with patina all share the same “unfinished” quality of the semi-transparent cabinet stain in this Jose Andrade Rocha project.
Continue It on the Pantry
Plywood is a near-perfect surface for colorful stains—there is so much movement in the grain that can be detected even after a few coats. In this home in Palma de Mallorca by SMS Arquitectos, poplar boards were used to craft not just cabinets but also doors and wall panels. It’s just one more reason to put down the paint roller and pick up a lint-free rag.