cortado kitchen trend brown and cream, Digi Mart USA News: White kitchens have dominated home design for years, but according to a report in House Digest, tastemakers are now shifting toward a warmer compromise. Experts at Floor & Decor have dubbed the palette “the cortado kitchen” in their 2027 Home Design Forecast, a name taken from the Spanish coffee drink made of half espresso and half steamed milk.
The scheme pairs lighter cream shades with deep coffee-toned browns. Brown has become a prominent color across fashion, marketing and interior design, and the article notes that Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year was a brown.
Michael Breland of Breland-Harper told Homes & Gardens that people increasingly want emotional, experiential spaces, and that the kitchen has again become the social center of the home.
The cortado approach keeps some of the lightness of white kitchens while adding depth and warmth. Because it is a moderate departure from current designs, the article suggests it is relatively easy for homeowners to adopt, whether through a simple DIY update or a full professional remodel.
Suggested approaches include painting or staining light cabinets a deep brown and balancing them with lighter countertops, off-white walls or a cream-toned backsplash. Adding more brown creates a moodier look, while reducing it keeps the room airier.
The article advises avoiding orange undertones for a more modern, cohesive result, and matching undertones across the chosen colors.
Ashley Biscan, trend expert at Floor & Decor, told Real Simple that natural and artisanal textures such as honed marble, zellige and wood can bridge the contrast between light and dark cabinetry. Stone, linen and aged brass hardware are also mentioned as affordable ways to tie the palette together.
