Martha Stewart's nostalgic kitchen cabinet color is replacing gray – and I predict this 'new neutral' will be the standout trend in 2026
We are basking in the glorious glow of Martha Stewart's time-honored butter-yellow kitchen


America's favorite TV personality Martha Stewart knows a kitchen color trend when she sees one. The mogul is a household name, and diving through her archives always gives me plenty of inspiration for my own home.
Martha has helped shape our homes for decades – products from her Martha Stewart Collection on Amazon and Martha Stewart Essentials range from Walmart take pride of place in my kitchen – so when she shared a throwback photo of her former kitchen space, there was one thing I noticed; the mood-boosting butter-yellow kitchen cabinets.
Calming yet joyful – and just a little bit retro – soft mellow yellows are the color of the moment. Immerse yourself in year-round sunshine with a kitchen bathed in this warming hue. While duck egg blues and sage greens were once the go-to kitchen cabinet color trends, butter yellows have become my new favorite. Comforting in winter, yet optimistic in spring and summer, they make a wonderful palette for this busy space.
Decorating with yellow is shining a spotlight on our homes this summer. As one of the most uplifting colors it is not surprising that it is having a renaissance.
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Yellow is the shade of optimism and joy, so after the global turbulence of the past few years, it comes as little surprise that it is decorating’s color du jour. But it is so much more than a flash in the pan – the right hue can have surprising longevity and add richness to more traditional schemes.
This shade has an energizing, youthful feel and will add great depth to kitchen cabinets. It is perfect for the heart of the home and would work well as a background color.
Architect Richard Parr suggests combining butter yellow with a natural palette that will enrich yellow, rather than work against it. ‘We recommend paring yellow with earthy and deep tones, from terracotta to rust, incorporating natural materials such as rich timbers and warm metals that will pick up and enhance the color.'
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The copper, off-white, and charcoal tones used in Martha Stewart's kitchen work wonderfully to allow the butter yellow to sing out. Color is a remarkable decorating medium and is an easy way to make a kitchen look more expensive, so it is an important consideration to make in the early stages of designing a kitchen.
Similar butter yellow kitchen, designed by deVOL
Shop the butter yellow edit
If repainting kitchen cabinets isn't on your decorating agenda, consider investing in butter-yellow decor buys instead. Below, I sourced my favorite ways to introduce this sunny-side-up shade to your kitchen with ease.
Straight from the entrepreneur's own collection, Martha's hessian placements with yellow trim are now available at a reduced price for a limited time only. The fun scallop detail is another trend worth taking note of for summer.
I bought these exact bowls recently and have used them non-stop for my fruits and nuts. A versatile essential, this fan-favorite bowl is rendered in a smooth, sleek glaze. It now comes in a cupboard's worth of colors if butter yellow isn't for you.
A bold, yellow vase is the simplest way to add a fresh splash of color to an otherwise plain or dull living space. This rustic ceramic piece would look beautiful when dressed with dried flowers of bunny tails, eucalyptus, baby's breath, cotton stems, and pampas grass.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for several years in both the US and UK, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing and occasionally dabbles in the social media, commercial, and the e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling houses designed by some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances, and even writing a few news stories or two.
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