--- title: "Kitchen Design Trend Alert: Gray! It's the New.... Something" description: One of ten kitchen design trends listed in the National Kitchen and Bath Association trend report is about gray in the kitchen color pallet. image: https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1a.jpg --- [![Gilday](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/theme2021/images/gilday-logo-white.png) ](https://www.gilday.com/) [ 301.565.4600 ](tel:301.565.4600) - [About Us](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [About](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [Architects & Designers](https://www.gilday.com/architects-designers) - [Administration](https://www.gilday.com/administration) - [Production & Construction](https://www.gilday.com/production-team) - [Careers](https://www.gilday.com/careers) - [Awards](https://www.gilday.com/awards) - [What Our Clients Say](https://www.gilday.com/gilday-renovation-reviews) - [Press](https://www.gilday.com/press) - Service Area - [Arlington VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-arlington-va) - [Alexandria VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-alexandria-va) - [Bethesda MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-bethesda-md) - [Chevy Chase MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-chevy-chase-md) - [Cleveland Park DC](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-cleveland-park-dc) - [Kensington MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-kensington-md) - [McLean VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-mclean-va) - [Potomac MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-potomac-md) - [Rockville MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-rockville-md) - [Washington DC](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-washington-dc) - [Portfolio](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio) - [Additions](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#additions) - [Kitchens](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#kitchens) - [Baths](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#baths) - [Whole House Renovations](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#wholehouse) - Services - [Home Remodeling the Design Build Way](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-the-design-build-way) - [Renovation Architect Services](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-architect-services-gilday-renovations) - [Whole-Home Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/whole-home-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Kitchen Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/kitchen-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Bathroom Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/bathroom-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Home Additions](https://www.gilday.com/home-additions-gilday-renovations) - [Pricing & Budgeting](https://www.gilday.com/how-to-budget-for-a-home-renovation-project) - [For Realtors - Pre-Purchase Evaluation](https://www.gilday.com/for-realtors-pre-purchase-evaluation) - [Resources](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-resource-center) - [Renovation Articles](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.gilday.com/contact) x Search the site # Kitchen Design Trend Alert: Gray! It's the New.... Something [Kevin Gilday](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/author/kevin-gilday) ![Kitchen Design Trend Alert: Gray! It's the New.... Something](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1a.jpg) ## NKBA's Top Kitchen Design Trends The National Kitchen & Bath Association just published its top ten kitchen and bath design trends based on data culled from the membership.  Unless you are a total kitchen and bath geek, you won't make it to the end of this post if we include all ten.  So we've chosen to highlight just one that for us pings as the top trend in kitchen remodeling.  It's the color gray.  In the kitchen.  Not your basement floor or porch deck gray.  Not your standard issue battleship gray, but gray nonetheless. ## What Is Going On? In the past six months we have seen (it goes without saying that our interior designers have had a hand in it) about half a dozen kitchen designs for which gray was the heart of the color palette.  Gray!  Could this turn toward a cool, aloof  painted surface be indicative of a design world rebellion against the smug tyranny of natural cherry and maple?  Maybe.  Or perhaps it is because modern kitchen lighting design allows designers to explore a range of subtle color choices in the kitchen.  In the past, because we relied primarily on natural lighting, we played it safe with the color choices (not too dark, not too bright) because a color choice had to be able to roll with the hourly changes in  light and shadow during the day.  No more.  The advances in modern [kitchen lighting design](https://www.gilday.com/kitchen-design-portfolio) allow us to go much further afield.  So for now, gray is the final frontier. Here are three of the  kitchens we completed recently that feature the color gray. ## Gray and White Kitchen Design Colors in Cleveland Park ![cleveland park kitchen design with gray perimeter cabinets and white island cabinets by Gilday Renovations](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1a.jpg?width=1200&name=1a.jpg "kitchen design with gray perimeter white island cabinets in cleveland park dc") GRAY PERIMETER CABINETS, WHITE ISLAND CABINETS, GRAY AND OFF WHITE BACKSPLASH   ## White and Gray Kitchen Design In Chevy Chase DC ![WHITE KITCHEN WITH GRAY ISLAND CABINETS BY GILDAY RENOVATIONS](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/554632_347564791962227_100707723314603_1044547_1686682316_n.jpg?width=1200&name=554632_347564791962227_100707723314603_1044547_1686682316_n.jpg "WHITE KITHEN WITH GRAY ISLAND CABINETS IN CHEVY CHASE DC BY GILDAY RENOVATIONS") WHITE KITCHEN WITH GRAY ISLAND   ## Shades of Gray in Chevy Chase Maryland Kitchen Design ![chevy chase kitchen design shows soft gray cabinet and wall colors](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/031.jpg?width=640&height=854&name=031.jpg "GRAY KITCHEN IN CHEVY CHASE MARYLAND BY GILDAY RENOVATIONS") FINE SHADES OF GRAY IN THE CABINETS, BACKSPLASH, COUNTERTOP AND WALL COLORS   ## The High Drama of Contrast v. The Calm of Nuance The first two kitchens make use of contrasting cabinet and counter tops colors.  The light colored cabinets pair with dark or mixed colored counter tops.  The third kitchen plays with side by side shades of gray.  This nuanced approach to coloration is more daring than going the route of  dramatic contrasts shown in the first two.  It will be interesting to see how far this kitchen design trend goes over the next year or so. Learn about how to approach a kitchen design and remodeling project by downloading [The Definitive Guide to Kitchen Design & Remodeling Success](https://www.gilday.com/the-definitive-guide-to-kitchen-design-and-renovation).  [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4060073/fcedc039-fa05-42ab-80a8-3d78d9993148.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4060073/fcedc039-fa05-42ab-80a8-3d78d9993148) ## Related Articles: Kitchen Design and Remodeling [![Modernizing a Classic Kitchen in a 1920’s Bungalow](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/02a-kitchen-renovation.jpg) **Modernizing a Classic Kitchen in a 1920’s Bungalow** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/modernizing-a-classic-kitchen) [![Transforming Your Kitchen: Strategies for Modern Living](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/portfolio/Kitchens/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen-4.jpg) **Transforming Your Kitchen: Strategies for Modern Living** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-transformation-strategies) [![Kitchen Design Styles to Know Before You Remodel](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/whole-house/Duellman/Kitchen_2_F.jpg) **Kitchen Design Styles to Know Before You Remodel** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-design-styles-to-know-before-you-remodel) [![Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/Delan/4-kitchen-towards-family%20-oom.png) **Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-color-ideas-for-your-home-renovation-1) [![The Art of Kitchen Lighting Design](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/Shaffer/Shaffer%202017%20Kitchen%206.jpg) **The Art of Kitchen Lighting Design** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-lighting-design) [![How Kitchen Layout Makes or Breaks the Kitchen Design](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/portfolio/Kitchens/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen-4.jpg) **How Kitchen Layout Makes or Breaks the Kitchen Design** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-layout) [![Kitchen Renovation Take Two: Refining a Previously Remodeled Kitchen](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/kitchen-renovation-1.jpg) **Kitchen Renovation Take Two: Refining a Previously Remodeled Kitchen** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-renovation-take-two-refining-a-previously-remodeled-kitchen) [![Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/whole-house/Duellman/Kitchen_2_F.jpg) **Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-color-ideas-for-your-home-renovation) [![Three Kitchen Remodel Strategies You’ll Want to Know](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/cutler%20kitchen/wood-island-Kitchen-corner.jpg) **Three Kitchen Remodel Strategies You’ll Want to Know** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/three-kitchen-remodel-strategies-youll-want-to-know) [![Should I Renovate My Kitchen and Bath For Resale? Part 2](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/levine/02%20web%20chevy%20chase%20kitchen%20remodel%20.jpg) **Should I Renovate My Kitchen and Bath For Resale? Part 2** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/should-i-renovate-my-kitchen-and-bath-for-resale-part-2) [![Should I Renovate My Kitchen and Bath for Resale? Part 1](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/Thornapple/2-Kitchen-towards-hall.png) **Should I Renovate My Kitchen and Bath for Resale? Part 1** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/should-i-renovate-my-kitchen-and-bath-for-resale-part-1) [![How to Gain a Mudroom and Powder Room When You Build a Kitchen Addition](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/Cleveland%20Park%20DC%20Kitchen%20Addition.png) **How to Gain a Mudroom and Powder Room When You Build a Kitchen Addition** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/how-to-gain-a-mudroom-and-powder-room-when-you-build-a-kitchen-addition) [![How Long Should a Kitchen Remodel Take?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/malek/03%20web%20Palisades%20DC%20kitchen%20remodel%20.jpg) **How Long Should a Kitchen Remodel Take?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/how-long-should-a-kitchen-remodel-take) [![How Expert Kitchen Renovation Cures the Many Headaches of Your Outdated Kitchen](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/levine/02%20web%20chevy%20chase%20kitchen%20remodel%20.jpg) **How Expert Kitchen Renovation Cures the Many Headaches of Your Outdated Kitchen** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/how-expert-kitchen-renovation-cures-the-many-headaches-of-your-outdated-kitchen) [![3 Tricks Kitchen Designers Use to Make a Small Kitchen Feel Larger](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/brancaccio/03%20web%20chevy%20chase%20kitchen%20remodel%20with%20wall%20demoltion.jpg) **3 Tricks Kitchen Designers Use to Make a Small Kitchen Feel Larger** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/3-tricks-kitchen-designers-use-to-make-a-small-kitchen-feel-larger) [![Should a Designer or Architect be in Charge of my Kitchen Renovation?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/levine/03-web-chevy-chase-kitchen-remodel-sized.jpg) **Should a Designer or Architect be in Charge of my Kitchen Renovation?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/who-should-be-in-charge-of-my-kitchen-renovation-project-certified-kitchen-designer-or-architect) [![If Kitchen Remodeling Only Makes Your Kitchen Beautiful—You’re in Trouble](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/seidel/01a%20web%20chevy%20chase%20kitchen%20.jpg) **If Kitchen Remodeling Only Makes Your Kitchen Beautiful—You’re in Trouble** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/if-kitchen-remodeling-only-makes-your-kitchen-beautiful-youre-in-trouble) [![Three Approaches to Kitchen Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/pinterest/Pin-01%20Chevy%20Chase%20contemporary%20kitchen%20remodel.jpg) **Three Approaches to Kitchen Remodeling** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/three-approaches-to-kitchen-remodeling) [![What's the Perfect Color for Your Kitchen Renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_908fbb1a22a74424a7415af8eb5b7072_mv2%20(1).jpg) **What's the Perfect Color for Your Kitchen Renovation** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/single-post/2017/06/09/how-to-choose-colors-for-your-kitchen-renovation) [![Kitchen & Bathroom Design Trends](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_72cd58c47bfa42ef97f93b0209cda29b_mv2_d_1280_1280_s_2%20(1).jpg) **Kitchen & Bathroom Design Trends** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/single-post/2017/01/26/2017-kitchen-bath-trends) [![Why was this Kitchen Addition Remodeling Necessary?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_70f284e6c2f9459fbfed212f9c2c4c0a-1.jpg) **Why was this Kitchen Addition Remodeling Necessary?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/single-post/2016/04/28/why-was-this-kitchen-addition-remodeling-necessary-1) [![Kitchen Remodeling: How Long Should It Take?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/01-kitchen-remodeling-magic-1024x597.jpg) **Kitchen Remodeling: How Long Should It Take?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-remodeling-long-take.html) [![Kitchen Remodeling Alternatives To Granite](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-granite-countertop-kitchen-island.jpg) **Kitchen Remodeling Alternatives To Granite** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-remodeling-alternatives-to-granite.html) [![Interior Renovation: A Cure For the ](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kitchen-reconfiguration-1.jpg) **Interior Renovation: A Cure For the "Dysfunctional" Kitchen Layout** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/interior-renovation-a-cure-for-the-dysfunctional-layout.html) [![Why You Need A Kitchen Designer](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kitchen-cabinet-w-floating-door.jpg) **Why You Need A Kitchen Designer** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/why-you-need-a-kitchen-designer.html) [![The Kitchen Layout Alphabet](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kaufman-after-842x1024.jpg) **The Kitchen Layout Alphabet** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/the-kitchen-layout-alphabet.html) [![Kitchen Layouts: The Modern Galley Kitchen](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/West-1fl-511x1024.jpg) **Kitchen Layouts: The Modern Galley Kitchen** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-layouts-the-modern-galley.html) [![Our Tiny Condo Kitchen Remodeling Project](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/01a.jpg) **Our Tiny Condo Kitchen Remodeling Project** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/our-tiny-kitchen-remodelingproject.html) [![Transitional Kitchen Design: A Collision of Design Styles?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/021.jpg) **Transitional Kitchen Design: A Collision of Design Styles?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/transitional-kitchen-collision-of-design-styles.html) [![Kitchen Cabinets--They Don't Make Them Like They Used To](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Levine-07.jpg) **Kitchen Cabinets--They Don't Make Them Like They Used To** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-cabinets-they-dont-make-them-like-they-used-to.html) [![Why Remodel a Perfectly Good Kitchen?](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Osborne-317.jpg) **Why Remodel a Perfectly Good Kitchen?** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/why-remodel-a-perfectly-good-kitchen) [![Kitchen Design: Kitchen Reconfigured](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/fineberg-10-plans-AB.jpg) **Kitchen Design: Kitchen Reconfigured** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-design-redesigned-reconfigured.html) [![Kitchen Design: One Room Is Better Than Two](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/0-kitchen-reconfigure-1.jpg) **Kitchen Design: One Room Is Better Than Two** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-design-one-room-is-better-than-two.html) ## Leave a comment We are architects We are interior designers We are builders Let us be yours Gilday Renovations 8820 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 © Gilday Renovations 2025 - [About Us](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [Portfolio](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio) - Services - [Resources](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-resource-center) - [Renovation Articles](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.gilday.com/contact) 301.565.4600 [info@gilday.com](mailto:info@gilday.com) [Privacy Policy](https://www.gilday.com/gilday-com-privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.gilday.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "Gilday Renovations", "potentialAction" : { "@type" : "SearchAction", "query-input" : "required name=search_term_string", "target" : "https://www.gilday.com/hs-search-results?term={search_term_string}" }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.gilday.com/#entity" }, "url" : "https://www.gilday.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.gilday.com/#entity", "@type" : [ "Organization", "GeneralContractor" ], "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Silver Spring", "addressRegion" : "MD", "postalCode" : "20910", "streetAddress" : "8820 Brookville Road" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "State", "name" : "District of Columbia" }, { "@type" : "State", "name" : "Maryland" }, { "@type" : "State", "name" : "Virginia" } ], "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/0e46f4_15daa73f94264bbd95eb4e173ad2d447.jpg" }, "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/H_Logo.jpg" }, "name" : "Gilday Renovations", "openingHoursSpecification" : { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "17:00", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens" : "09:00" }, "priceRange" : "$$$", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/gilday.renovations/", "https://twitter.com/GildayBuilders", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/gilday-renovations/about/", "https://www.pinterest.com/gildaycom/", "https://www.houzz.com/pro/gildayrenovations/gilday-renovations", "https://www.instagram.com/gildayrenovations/" ], "telephone" : "+1-301-565-4600", "url" : "https://www.gilday.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kevin Gilday" }, "dateModified" : "April 19, 2012", "datePublished" : "April 19, 2012", "description" : "One of ten kitchen design trends listed in the National Kitchen and Bath Association trend report is about gray in the kitchen color pallet.", "headline" : "Kitchen Design Trend Alert: Gray! It's the New.... Something", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 800, "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4060073/Imported_Blog_Media/1a.jpg", "width" : 800 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-design-trend-alert-gray-its-the-new-something", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4060073/Gilday-Nov2017/Image/H_Logo.jpg" }, "name" : "Gilday Renovations" } } ```