KitchenAid Freshens Things Up With Its Cool 2026 Color Of The Year
Image courtesy of KitchenAid
For 2026, KitchenAid is minting something new. The brand has cooked up ‘Spearmint’ as its Color of the Year, a soft, minty green designed to feel fresh without being flashy. Cool, calming, and lightly textured, it’s meant to offer a visual reset at a time when kitchens are still dominated by stainless steel and safe neutrals.
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Spearmint lands as a pale green with a subtle sandy finish that gives it a tactile quality rather than a glossy one. The tone sits comfortably between calming and energizing, offering a sense of lightness without tipping into pastels that feel overly precious. It’s intended to be uplifting, but not loud, and designed to feel lived-in rather than decorative.
Image courtesy of KitchenAid
Color has long been part of KitchenAid’s identity. Since the brand introduced colored stand mixers in 1955, it has treated appliances as personal objects rather than purely functional tools. The annual Color of the Year builds on that history, using trend research to mirror shifts in how people relate to their homes, routines, and creative habits.
For 2026, Spearmint is envisioned as a counterpoint to minimal, monochrome interiors. The shade encourages small acts of experimentation, whether that means trying a new recipe, refreshing a space, or simply enjoying a kitchen that feels less serious. It leans into individuality and everyday joy, showing how color can be used for personal expression rather than following strict design rules.
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The hue will debut on the Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, available starting February 12. The centerpiece of the 2026 Color of the Year lineup, this Spearmint model will carry a retail price of US$549.99.
Image courtesy of KitchenAid
The shade itself went through several iterations—and a process of three years—before landing on its final form. Early versions explored softer greens with glossy finishes, but the team ultimately drew inspiration from unexpected places, including beauty packaging, where playful color is often paired with comforting textures. References like soft boucle fabrics and ceramic glazes helped guide the finish, while hands-on experimentation in KitchenAid’s model shop allowed painters and designers to fine-tune both color intensity and texture.
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Developing the sand finish proved to be one of the biggest challenges. The team tested glossy, matte, satin, and textured options before settling on a surface inspired by mint leaves, a texture that’s subtle enough to be felt more than seen. The fear was that the result would feel rough or industrial. In the end, they created a finish that feels warm, smooth, and quietly inviting, something that subtly recalls the tactile rituals of baking and cooking.
KitchenAid is also expanding the program beyond countertop appliances for the first time. From February 12 to 26, the brand will run a Color of the Year sweepstakes on its website. Five winners will receive a Spearmint stand mixer along with a matching, limited-edition 36-inch Dual Fuel Commercial-Style Range. The range will not be sold at retail and will only be available through the sweepstakes.
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The selection of Spearmint was guided by Whirlpool’s Color, Material, and Finish team, which studies global design, lifestyle, and consumer trends to shape each year’s choice. It joins a growing archive of past Colors of the Year, following Butter in 2025, Blue Salt in 2024, Hibiscus in 2023, Beetroot in 2022, Honey in 2021, Kyoto Glow in 2020, and Bird of Paradise in 2018.
[via KitchenAid, images courtesy and featured with permission]
