The Hue Du Jour in Kitchens: Teal, According to Smeg's Declaration

The Hue Du Jour in Kitchens: Teal, According to Smeg's Declaration

Year after year, each one brings a spectrum of defining tints - the infamous color-of-the-year proclamations that subtly dictate everything from handbags to wall paint. While Pantone may hold the loudest microphone (and we adore Mocha Mousse), when it comes to kitchens - the most literal interpretation of taste - it's the appliance brands that rule the roost.

KitchenAid recently anointed Butter - a soft, whispery yellow kitchen color trend that's already making waves on the spring 2025 runways. Smeg, arguably the reigning prince of glossy, candy-colored cult classics, has added its voice to the conversation: labeling Jade Green as the kitchen color of the year, and the culinary shade to watch for 2025.

The name might be a touch misleading. Smeg's Jade is less emerald, more Amalfi coastline - a dusty teal with Mediterranean leanings, reminiscent of Positano waters rather than your typical houseplant green. However, its prevalence cannot be denied. And its emergence feels purposeful.

"The growing attraction towards teal and turquoise kitchens, especially with the introduction of Smeg's 'Jade Green,' feels like a reaction to years of minimalist, neutral hues dominating the design world," says Charlotte-based designer Cate Gutierrez of CWG Design.

And Karen Olle, marketing director at Smeg USA, agrees: "Over the past couple of years, we've observed a shift towards bolder, statement-making colors in kitchen design."

Yet, it's not exactly a bright, flashy teal, either. "With its earthy, soft green hue, this shade feels calming, like the first hint of spring," says Cate. "This shift towards softer greens is especially timely as we all seek ways to bring the outdoors in and create spaces that feel both lively and tranquil."

This teal appeal, she adds, is emotional as much as aesthetic: "People increasingly seek spaces that feel more personal, calming, and connected to nature. Jade Green taps into this desire for a more grounded, soothing atmosphere."

For creative director Steven Rodriguez of Guy Goodfellow, teal shines brightest when it whispers. He's utilized Farrow & Ball's "Green Smoke No. 47" on cabinetry to produce what he calls "a warm, rustic feel with a modern twist."

For those unwilling to repaint, Steven proposes a more low-key approach: "Just keep it to the highlight colors in dishes and bowls." Teal, he notes, harmonizes well with nearly everything - natural woods, unlacquered brass, handmade ceramics - or, if you go the Smeg route: stainless steel.

In brief, teal - an unconventional culinary color - boasts surprising versatility. Cate sums it up: hues similar to Smeg's Jade Green are "the perfect way to create a serene, nature-infused atmosphere in the kitchen without losing that inviting energy that's so essential."

Timeless, not try-hard, it's true that modern kitchen concepts in 2025 are moving towards a more colorful, vibrant palette - but in the gentlest, most dreamlike manner possible.

Call it a holiday state of mind. Or just a classier way to do green. Here's how to embrace the vibe.

According to Cate, subtle inclusions are the best entry point into the teal kitchen trend. Commence with accents: a fresh vase, green-edged dishware, or Smeg's Jade Green toaster, which the designer specifically recommended as "an excellent way to test out the trend and add some fresh energy to your space without undergoing a full makeover."

Le Creuset's Sea Salt colorway is an organic partner for Smeg's Jade Green - and it offers a bonus: a gentle ombre fade at the base for a touch of tonal depth. It's a salt mill, needless to say, befitting its salty name (though you can acquire the pepper too, if you want the complete set). A splash of new life for exhausted kitchen counters.

We've waxed lyrical about this Geo Cake Stand by Fazeek for some time - a perfect excuse to bring it up once more thanks to its architectural stacks of tonal teal, moored by a soft lilac that adds just the right amount of whimsy. Fill it with something sweet or let it live on a shelf to gaze upon...

With warmer days arriving, the formality of a long-stemmed wineglass starts to feel a little... much. We're loving a Sancerre spritz, served stemless - preferably in these paintbrush-like, gently striped mouth-blown glasses from Vietri Nuovo. Summer vibes, bottled.

Stoneware is an entertainer's best friend. Unlike delicate porcelain, it's sturdy and resilient (can take a tumble). But you wouldn't know it from the delicate looks of this seaside teal variety, showcasing a reactive contrast glaze rim that grants it unexpected depth. Dress it up with brass or gold flatware, or keep it casual with silver on weeknights.

Staub's Rustic Turquoise Baking Dish Set is exactly what the doctor ordered: top-tier cooking prowess, a spot-on hue, and, at the moment, an attractive discount. From oven to table, its a combo that communicates competence - at least where color is concerned.

We've divulged what's incoming - now for what's outgoing. These are the outdated kitchen trends politely being shown the door in 2025.

1. The trend of minimalist, neutral hues dominating kitchen design is slowly being replaced by bolder, statement-making colors in 2025.
2. Designer Cate Gutierrez believes that the growing attraction towards teal and turquoise kitchens is a reaction to years of minimalist, neutral hues.
3. Smeg's Jade Green, a dusty teal KitchenAid recently anointed as the kitchen color trend for 2025, is not a bright, flashy teal, but rather has a calming, earthy, soft green hue.
4. For those unwilling to repaint their kitchens, designer Steven Rodriguez suggests using teal accents such as fresh vases, dishware, or Smeg's Jade Green toaster.
5. In 2025, outdated kitchen trends included bright, saturated colors, stainless steel appliances, and traditional designs, according to marketing director Karen Olle of Smeg USA.

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