Tom Howley on kitchen colour trends: Why blue is dominating 2025 designs

As homeowners move away from safe neutrals in favour of fun, personality-filled colours, bespoke kitchen specialist Tom Howley shares insight into the shades gaining momentum and how to design a blue kitchen.

Moving away from traditional ‘safe’ neutrals, customers are increasingly choosing bolder shades, reflecting a broader shift toward personalised, mood-driven spaces.

Over the past year, we’ve seen a remarkable 147% increase in blue kitchen sales, making it our fastest-growing paint colour choice nationwide. 

From deep navy tones that add sophistication, to softer, chalky blues that bring a sense of calm and freshness, blue is an incredibly versatile choice for kitchen cabinetry. It pairs beautifully with natural materials like oak and marble-inspired surfaces and works equally well in classic and contemporary settings.

Dark shades of blue like navy and cobalt bring incredible depth and drama to a kitchen, especially when paired with a brick feature wall. The combination adds a sense of contrast, while complementing the warmth and texture of exposed brickwork – perfect for creating a refined yet rustic atmosphere.

Details such as matt black handles and taps, along with Crittall-style windows and doors, create a striking contrast against a pale, powder blue kitchen. These elements add a modern, sleek edge while enhancing the overall sophistication of the space.

In addition, marble-inspired quartz surfaces work particularly well, adding a sense of lightness and luxury while enhancing the depth of the blue. Natural stone or flagstone flooring can introduce a grounded, tactile quality, creating a beautiful contrast against the cabinetry.

Blue continues to be a popular choice for kitchens because it offers a unique balance of calm, confidence, and character. It’s a colour that resonates deeply with people, perhaps because it’s so rooted in the natural world – from expansive skies and serene oceans to delicate wildflowers. These natural associations bring a sense of tranquillity and openness into the home.

In a kitchen, blue has the rare ability to feel both timeless and contemporary, which is why so many of our clients are drawn to it. A blue kitchen can be bold yet soothing, elegant yet approachable. In my view, that’s what makes it such an enduring and emotionally resonant choice.