Blue will be the trending color for interior design in 2026, and one place where it keeps popping up is kitchen cabinets. Actor Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) showed off some cobalt blue cabinets on his Instagram page; Model Christie Brinkley has a bright and cheerful take on the blue closet trend; and model and actress Brooke Shields recently revealed her own inky blue kitchen in an unrelated clip on her Instagram. And it's not just a fad. In fact, HGTV's Hilary Farr swears this kitchen color will never go out of style, and designers say blue—a color that deviates from the typical neutral white or cream tones we often see in kitchens—makes a lot of sense for kitchen decor in particular. For example, Toronto designer Sam Sacks told Elle Decor, “The cooler undertones of a blue color palette are the perfect contrast to the various metals used in cooking equipment, from pots and pans to household appliances.”
But blue is more than just a smart style choice, and there's a reason why this color remains one of the most popular colors for kitchens. It turns out that decorating your home in blue has a positive impact on mental health, and by painting your kitchen blue, you can transform the heart of your home into an oasis of peace and calm amidst the chaos of life. Believe it or not, studies have shown that blue is not only a therapeutic – and possibly even life-saving – color, but can also improve productivity and your mood.
What are the mental health benefits of blue interiors?
So what is the science behind the effect of blue on people and their moods? It all boils down to color theory, the study of how colors work together harmoniously, and a big part of that is color psychology – or the effect that different colors can have on people's moods and emotions. The color blue is known for its calming effects and its ability to reduce stress and anxiety and convey peace and calm. And if you're skeptical of the idea that color theory has any value, think again. Many banks and financial institutions adopt it and use blue in their corporate branding because it conveys stability and trustworthiness. Additionally, research has shown that shoppers find stores with blue interiors more comfortable and therefore tend to spend more time shopping there.
Studies have shown that the color blue can also increase performance and alertness. A study that examined the preferences and effects of interior design colors among university students found that blue interiors were not only preferred by students, but were also associated with a calmer mood and the promotion of better study habits compared to other colors such as green, yellow or red.
Blue can also have a therapeutic effect in some situations. A study of Japanese train stations found that suicide attempts there fell by 84% over a 10-year period when blue lights were installed. In fact, blue light therapy is already being used to treat some cases of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Tips for Styling Blue Cabinets in Your Home
When designing your home, remember that not all shades of blue are created equal! Blue comes in a spectrum of shades, from navy blue for a luxe look to powdery light blue for a softer aesthetic. Therefore, it is important to keep the shade and shade of blue in mind to create the desired mood in your kitchen. While light blue radiates calm and peace, a darker shade represents authority, power and elegance. With the right shade, you can perfectly complement any kitchen style you have in mind.
If you're afraid of fully committing to a blue room, you can opt to make a statement by adding just a hint of blue instead. This might mean painting just the upper or lower cabinets a bold color and leaving the other half a neutral white, cream or wood, or just painting the kitchen island a striking blue. And if you choose floor-to-ceiling blue cabinets, light marble or quartz backsplashes and countertops complement the blue cabinets incredibly well, as do stainless steel appliances.
Be careful when decorating with blue: Because blue is on the cold end of the color spectrum (as opposed to warm colors like red), you run the risk of using a shade that feels too icy and cold. And you definitely don’t want to make yourself or your house guests feel “depressed” when they walk into your kitchen! To make your kitchen feel cozy, calm and peaceful, try balancing the blue with some warmer tones. One way to achieve this is to opt for brass or gold hardware instead of silver, or to add small accents in rich woods or sunny yellows.