BlueStar, manufacturer of professional-grade kitchen appliances for the home, announces its 2026 Color of the Year: Purple Violet (RAL #4007). Selected by Shumaker Design Associates, a full-service architecture and design firm led by husband-and-wife duo Garry and Suzanne Shumaker, the color reflects a growing shift toward richness, warmth and grounded bold design in the home.
As part of the selection process, Suzanne began by analyzing emerging color trends in fashion, which often inform the design industry across textiles and interiors. Here, purples emerged as a complementary color. Building on last year’s Color of the Year, the timeless Signal Brown, which was chosen for its grounding warmth, Purple Violet continues the narrative of depth and comfort. The color bridges the rooted familiarity of browns with a bolder, more expressive energy. The color dives further into earthy tones, toward deeper, nature-driven hues that feel like a harmonious progression after years of browns and neutrals.
“Purple Violet’s depth feels like a natural evolution, rich not only in hue but in emotion,” says Suzanne Shumaker. “Its richness speaks to the bonds we share with family and friends, reminding us how vital togetherness has become.”
In her recent projects, Shumaker has seen a growing love for darker, cozier family spaces. Considering emotional resonance and what people need most in their homes—togetherness, warmth, and comfort—Purple Violet brings energy to a space in a classic, comforting way. Historically, purple is associated with royalty; formed from rare pigments found in nature and therefore only reserved for the elite. Since then, purple has evolved into a hue for embodying creativity, inspiration, and sophistication.
In the kitchen, Purple Violet can make a bold yet refined statement. The Shumaker team recommends pairing it with unlacquered, antique, or brushed brass for a luxurious touch. Dark-stained woods such as mahogany or dark-stained oak enhance its depth, while blues and greens complement its undertones.
“This color can be brought into a breakfast nook for an all-around enveloping and cozy space, or as a focal point in the kitchen by using it on the range,” says Suzanne. “Using it twice, bookending in a space with color on the cabinets, can be a fun way to create a balance and warmth.”
“We’re thrilled with the selection of Purple Violet and how it captures the direction we’re seeing in kitchen design,” says Shae Wilder, Manager of Designer Relations at BlueStar. “It’s always exciting when a designer’s instincts align so perfectly with what we’re seeing in the market.”
Each year, BlueStar partners with a leading designer to forecast trends and highlight a distinctive hue from its expansive library of 1,000+ colors—allowing homeowners to turn up the heat on personal expression and craft kitchens that reflect their unique style.
“Color is an essential part of BlueStar’s identity, but it’s the creativity of designers that brings it to life,” says Ann Muth, Vice President of Marketing at BlueStar. “Each year, we’re honored to collaborate with incredible designers to explore how color can transform the kitchen. These relationships are at the heart of what we do, connecting craftsmanship with the artistry of design.”
Since 1880, BlueStar has handcrafted high-performance appliances in Pennsylvania, offering infinitely customizable ranges, refrigerators, and vent hoods as unique as the home cooks who use them. For a more detailed look at BlueStar’s 2026 Color of the Year, please see here. For general information, visit www.bluestarcooking.com or join the conversation on social media @bluestarcooking.
