Sage green kitchens are trending – here’s why homeowners love them

For consumers after an earthy neutral or to bring the outside indoors, and those seeking a subtle approach to adding personality to a space, Sage green has plenty to offer – Emma Hedges talks to the experts about the latest colour trend.

While green kitchens have been trending for a while, it seems that homeowners have zeroed-in on a very specific shade as their current favoured kitchen colour choice. Sage green kitchens are now top of the charts when it comes to choosing a palette that is not a ubiquitous safe neutral such as Taupe, Stone or Cashmere – but what exactly is Sage, and why is it so popular?

"When compared to high-pigment greens, Sage green presents a softer, hazier shade and today, is considered a key element of the neutral colour palette thanks to its soothing properties that promote calm and restoration in the home," says Jamie Harding, CEO and founder of Et Lorem.

"Able to blend with both cool and warm finishes, Sage green is perfect in nature-inspired kitchen schemes, which are known to incorporate a range of different materials, tones, and textures found in nature. Whether traditional or contemporary in style, warm neutrals like Sage green are being used on all types of kitchen cabinet to provide a grounding foundation in the main cook zone."

"As colour variations evolve and lifestyles influence key design trends, we are noting that deeper colourways like Forest Green and Olive, as well as vivid jewel tones like Emerald and Jade are considered too bold for the nature-inspired kitchen space. Instead, Sage Green is outperforming these richer shades by having the capacity to strike the right balance of restraint while indulging the markets’ emotional affinity towards nature," says Matt Phillips, Rotpunkt UK head of operations.

While not all brands offer Sage green, a soft smokey hue is relatively easy to mimic. Some, however, have responded to the trend by launching their own interpretations of the shade or extending it across their portfolios. After noting that its Sage green colourway was becoming one of its bestselling shades, manufacturer Symphony has added it to its handleless Brooklyn collection pairing one of the UK’s most enduring kitchen colour trends with one of its most sought-after design styles.

Life Trade also has its own Sage green finish. "Sage green is having a major moment in interiors because it sits right at the intersection of comfort, nature, and modern minimalism. At its core, it’s a soft, greyed green that feels grounded rather than bright or overpowering. That makes it incredibly easy to live with – especially in spaces like kitchens, bedrooms, and living areas where people want calm rather than visual noise. It works as a 'quiet neutral', but with more personality than beige or grey, which is part of its appeal," says Laura Vaillant, product development manager at Life Trade.

“Green kitchens remain a go-to calming colour for consumers, and Sage green is a versatile choice for both classic and contemporary spaces," says Sophie Devonald, designer for Crown Imperial which includes Sage green in its catalogue of 22 painted colours. "It evokes a back to nature feel and is perfect for creating a more relaxed ambience in the heart of the home. It also provides an ideal foundation for layering natural textures and warm tones, elevating its timeless appeal.”

Life Trade's Laura Vaillant agrees. "Its rise is closely tied to the broader shift toward biophilic design – bringing nature into the home," she says. "After years of cooler greys and stark whites dominating interiors, people are leaning into warmer, more organic palettes that feel restorative. Sage green references the outdoors without being literal, which helps spaces feel fresher and more relaxed. It’s also popular because it’s highly versatile. It pairs naturally with timber, stone, brass, and textured finishes, and it can shift stylistically depending on context – feeling contemporary in handleless kitchens or more traditional in Shaker designs."

The subtlety of Sage makes it a perfect choice for homeowners who would like to embrace a bolder colour in their kitchens, but stop short of a vibrant hue. "These nature-inspired shades are becoming the new neutrals, adding depth and warmth without overwhelming the space. Its muted undertone allows it to function as a neutral while still adding subtle character, making it ideal for pairing with tactile materials and layered textures," says Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Woodstock Trading Co. "It works particularly well in spaces where light plays an important role, gently shifting in tone throughout the day to keep the kitchen feeling fresh yet relaxed."

And for those who want to take it one step further, it also works well in a two-tone scheme with a darker or lighter complementary shade.