The most on-trend kitchen colors right now have a familiar feeling, an air of nostalgia. We are looking more at the past for inspiration than ever, and right now it's the colors of the 1960s that are making a huge comeback.

There's something really comforting about these kitchen colors – they trigger memories of childhood holidays and Sundays at your grandparents' house. And while many of the colors synonymous with the decade are making a comeback, it's in a slightly more refined way.

The colors returning are those that feel playful, yet still really timeless – they're inspired by the '60s, but brought back a bit more tastefully. And according to designers, these are the revived colors worth having on your radar.

The '60s Kitchen Colors Returning in 2027

When we talk about '60s colors making a comeback, we don't mean replicating designs of the past. It's about taking inspiration from the palettes and evolving them to feel current and sophisticated in kitchens today. Here's how designers are making them work for a characterful yet still timeless scheme.

1. Muted Mustard Yellows

There's no denying that yellow kitchens have well and truly made a comeback this year. From a Mediterranean-inspired deVOL kitchen to Studio Mac's butter yellow kitchen by the sea, these soft, pale shades have become some of the most popular. But the '60s favored a muddier, richer yellow shade – and mustard kitchens are set to return.

'I think muted mustard yellows are definitely coming back. They have that unmistakable 1960s quality, a little bit playful but can feel surprisingly sophisticated when used in the right way. I love yellows that have a little depth and warmth to them rather than anything too bright or primary,' says interior designer Laura Stephens.

'Mustard is one of those colors I’ve always had a soft spot for because it has such an immediate warmth to it. We instinctively associate it with the late 1960s, but the way it is returning now feels much more sophisticated,' agrees Lesley Taylor, interior designer and Founder at Baked Tiles. 'Rather than the very obvious retro yellows of the period, I’m seeing people drawn to softer, earthier versions, from ochre and saffron to tobacco and honey. They still have that same confidence, but they’re much easier to live with.'

There are so many ways to introduce mustard yellow into a kitchen, but Lesley recommends a more confident approach. 'Tiles are probably my favorite way to introduce it because you’re not just adding color, you’re adding surface too. I’d always choose something with a little movement in the glaze rather than a completely flat finish. Those small variations between tiles are what make a wall feel interesting close up, and they stop a strong color from feeling too solid or one-dimensional.'

'I’m a big fan of using it on the cabinetry, particularly when it is balanced with natural timber and another warm, contrasting color,' Laura adds. 'I think that combination is what stops the color from feeling too retro – you can take the confidence and optimism of a 1960s palette, but mix it with warm woods and more earthy tones to create something that feels very relevant now.'

2. Lacquer Reds

Over the years, kitchen finishes, especially paint colors, have become very matte. It makes sense – these paint formulas are made with durability in mind, something you need in a kitchen. But the '60s championed the playful finish of glossier surfaces, which has perhaps inspired the return of lacquer reds.

'Glossy, lacquered reds are having a moment again. It has that wonderful optimism and confidence of the 1960s, but can feel surprisingly timeless when used in the right way. We used a rich gloss red for the pantry in our Somerset Country House project and on the main kitchen island, which gives what could otherwise be a very functional space a real sense of joy,' says interior designer Octavia Dickinson.

'Red is particularly good at bringing warmth to a kitchen, and I like that it can be both incredibly traditional and wonderfully modern. The key to a red kitchen is choosing a red with a little warmth and using it alongside materials that have age and texture, so it doesn't become too obviously retro. I would use it on something that can really embrace the color – a pantry, island, dresser, or run of cabinetry – rather than being frightened of it and using it only as an accent.'

3. Deep Olive

Recent kitchen color trends have shifted toward earthier kitchen colors, bringing a timeless quality without relying on plain white or overly bold hues. And olive green kitchens in particular are having a moment, balancing classic style with a more unique approach.

'Deep olive is a color with strong roots in 1960s interiors, and we’re seeing an interest in these deeper, earthy greens. It doesn’t dominate the room and sits well alongside natural materials and softer, chalkier tones. There is also something timeless about an earthy green, which allows it to sit comfortably in both traditional and contemporary interiors,' explains Carly Allison of Fired Earth.

This shade's beauty lies in its versatility; it pairs well with other colors and finishes, so you can drench a kitchen or use it as a secondary color. 'Using deep olive across cabinetry and walls creates an enveloping look, particularly when balanced with lighter colored tiles. For a more pared-back approach, use it on an island or solely on kitchen cabinetry,' she suggests.

4. Pale Pink

Pink, in the right not-too-sweet, not-too-bright shade, can feel elegant and chic in a kitchen. Rather than the bold Barbie pinks of past trends, designers are drawing inspiration from the '60s with softer, more muted shades, and pairing them with unexpected hues for a more mature balance.

'Pink is having a real moment again, and I am a massive fan! It’s such a fun and versatile color, with so many shades to play around with. It has a lovely way of bringing energy and personality into a room and making it feel playful and joyful,' says Sarah Brown, Founder and Creative Director of Sarah Brown Interiors.

'I have always been a fan of pink, and used it in my own kitchen at home, but contrasted it with a strong burgundy to stop it feeling too saccharine or girly. The burgundy adds depth to the pink, creating a unique and unexpected mix. It’s not necessarily the first color pairing you’d think of, but it brings so much character to a kitchen.'

5. Moody Oxblood

If brighter, lacquer reds aren't your style, another red kitchen shade that was incredibly popular in the '60s is making a striking comeback. It's one of those moody colors that adds instant richness to a kitchen, but it can also act as a dark neutral in the right space.

'Oxblood is a deep, dark red with rich brown and subtle purple undertones. Unlike burgundy, it has a more alluring depth to it. There’s a mystery to it that’s really appealing to live with,' says interior designer Brittny Button. 'There’s a luxurious livability to this shade. It’s grounding and energizing at the same time.'

Painting your cabinets dark red with a lighter wall feels classic, but you can be more confident with this shade, too. 'If you want a more enveloping effect, painting the walls and cabinetry in the same color can work well. The finish is also important; for example, our Plant-Based Matt or Eggshell will give you a smooth, durable finish ideal for a high-traffic area like this,' adds paint expert Dominic Myland.

6. Dark Wood Tones

Wooden kitchens have been back in style for a while now, but the tones are getting deeper this year, much like the styles that were popular in the '60s. These richer tones bring depth and interest to kitchens, and a stronger material contrast than the white oaks that have been everywhere recently.

'Deep wood tones, which soared in the '60s, are back on the scene as of last year and are starting to take the lead! Homeowners and designers are looking for that connection to the natural world. Think chocolate browns like mahogany and walnut, which were particularly popular in that era,' explains Shae Wilder of BlueStar.

There are several ways to bring dark wood tones into your kitchen, cabinetry being the most obvious, but you can also clad the walls, bring it in through flooring, or take an altogether more daring approach, as Shae explains. 'The '60s also loved color-drenching, which we still see today. Colorful kitchen cabinets and wood-drenched spaces have been popular again for some years now, just in different colors and tones.''

7. Soft Greens

The elevated return of dark olive covers the deeper shades of green, but a lighter hue from the '60s feels very much back in style. Think of it as a more sophisticated, heritage green that takes the best of the avocado era and brings a more up-to-date and timeless feel to kitchens of every style and size.

'We're continuing to see clients gravitate towards green. In the '60s, the colors were avocado and olive, used with real abandon. Today, we're seeing deeper, more sophisticated greens that carry the same warmth and optimism, but a bit more refined for modern living,' says Paul Kropp of Bakes & Kropp.

'A few years ago, people wanted their homes to feel joyful and bold, and color became a way to express that. That desire hasn't gone away, but it has matured. Our clients still want personality; they just want it measured, and green fits that moment perfectly. It brings in warmth and a connection to nature without overpowering a room, and it pairs easily with wood, stone, and metal. It feels expressive and grounded at the same time.'

Shop the Look

The return of these retro colors proves that kitchens are becoming more personalized and evolved, balancing timeless style with playful design. 'I don't think a kitchen needs to look deliberately '60s,' says Octavia. 'It's much more interesting to take one element of that era and interpret it in a way that feels personal and timeless.'

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