Don't take your kitchen cabinets for granted. Offering both practical storage and decorative appeal, cabinets do much of the heavy lifting in the kitchen, but are often ignored in favor of well-functioning appliances. In fact, your kitchen would be a mess without cabinets. Make the most of your important kitchen cabinets by paying special attention to effective and efficient storage and appearance.
If the appearance of your cabinets doesn't live up to their important role in your kitchen, it may be time to consider rethinking and updating your cabinet doors and hardware. “And of course, a fresh coat of paint goes a long way,” adds interior designer Libby Smith. Luckily, there are plenty of ideas for kitchen cabinets. Here's some inspiration for getting the most out of your kitchen cabinets, considering paint, wood, style, hardware, and flair.
bright white
“I think white cabinets in the kitchen are timeless. They're fresh, clean, and versatile. They really stand out to fabrics, art, and light fixtures and can become the focal point of a room,” says Smith. . “Benjamin Moore's Shanti He loves to combine colors with crisp white paint like Lace (OC-65) and cream paint to warm up the interior.”
black
As Smith said, white kitchens are classic. However, at the other end of the color gradient, black provides a striking neutrality, especially when lined up with other white details.
camouflage
Paint the cabinets the same paint color as the walls so they blend in with the walls. Here, deep black walls and cabinetry are combined with vibrant details to open up the kitchen.
Light blue
Bree Williams Styling: Jennifer Berno Declean
Not a neutral, but not too bold, light blue is the perfect color for your cabinets. This shade won't be going out of style anytime soon.
Navy blue
Like light blue, very deep blue is a great choice for including subtle colors. Choose a greenish navy for borderline and turquoise cabinets, or a greyish blue for a steely color palette.
slate gray
Sophisticated and timeless, you can't go wrong with a nice, clean gray. A reliable foundation with a neutral color palette, ideal for kitchens or spaces with light-colored walls and furniture.
2 tone
Why paint your cabinets one color when you can choose two? First, switch the island cabinets to a different shade than the wall-mounted cabinets.
go green
Green kitchen cabinets have become a highlight of home fashion these days, but it's not just one shade of green that shines so brightly. Deep, moody greens are just as beautiful as hunter greens, sage greens, and more.
wood forward
Laurie W. Glenn.Stylist: Matthew Gleeson
You don't have to immediately get paint swatches to upgrade your cabinets. Letting your wood shine is a great way to embrace its natural beauty. To upgrade, consider trying a new wood stain to change the look of your wood-front cabinets.
keep it low key
Depending on your layout and storage needs, a countertop-height cabinet may be all you need. Expand your kitchen with a pantry to supplement your spare items, and decorate the empty space above your countertop with attractive open shelving.
get inspired by wallpaper
Laurie W. Glenn.Stylist: Matthew Gleeson
If you have a wallpapered kitchen, choose a pattern first before choosing a coordinating paint. In the 2023 Idea House, the cabinets are painted a classy green to perfectly match the adjoining wallpaper.
glass front
Glass front cabinets are a classic kitchen design technique, especially when included in the upper cabinets. However, keep in mind that the contents inside the glass-fronted cabinet should be stored in an orderly manner for a clean look.
curtain
If tidying up the interior of your cabinets is too much for you, or if you're looking for a little flair, decorate your glass-fronted cabinets with pretty curtains. Choose a color or pattern that complements the other hues in the room, or for more continuity, choose the same fabric to decorate your skirted kitchen sink.
shaker style
“Choose something simple and sophisticated,” advises Smith. “Shaker-style cabinetry combined with beautiful hardware gives your kitchen an updated, modern feel.”
match appliance
Coordinate the color of your cabinets with the color of your kitchen appliances. Here, the contrast between the oven and the cabinets is not so sharp, but rather blends together.
wooden panel
In this kitchen, white oak panels are stained a honey blonde to form stunning cabinetry. As an added bonus, the cabinets match the floor perfectly.
earth tones
Green can also be neutral and we can prove it. Create a down-to-earth, rustic kitchen by combining earth tones like greens and browns, nature-inspired textures, and a houseplant or two.
funky front
Instead of glass fronts, choose unexpected cabinet covers like wire or fabric. This kitchen features gorgeous custom laser cut metal cabinet fronts that add texture and charm.
high neutral
The world of neutral kitchens extends far beyond all white or all grey. Instead, designers prefer to pair warm, welcoming neutrals that are dynamic yet timeless.
shabby seek
These reclaimed wood kitchen cabinets have a truly stunning distressed finish. This wood comes from an old barn on the same property and is kiln-dried to kill insects before being made into cabinets.
high contrast hardware
Choose soft handles and finishes, or choose something bold that's made to stand out. Hardware can be more than just a means of opening and closing cabinets; it can also be a decorative element in its own right.
living finish
These days, designers are flocking to giving all metal accents, including kitchen cabinet hardware, a vibrant finish. Unlacquered brass and polished nickel are both aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.
Greige
Greige, which cannot be called beige or gray, is a paint color that has not yet affected us negatively at home. This warm color provides a great foundation for a timeless, neutral kitchen.
pop of color
If you have an all-white kitchen, give the cabinets a splash of bright paint to liven them up. As the only source of bold color in a room, bright cabinets definitely make a great impression.
moody
joseph de leo
A light and airy atmosphere is often preferred in Southern kitchens, but don't be fooled into thinking that's the only option. A moody kitchen with dark cabinets and dynamic textures creates a cozy change of pace.
decorative sense
Embrace subtle style through details. These cabinets feature glass front doors with cross panels on small square cabinets that sit all the way up towards the ceiling.
high gloss
The sophisticated, glossy cabinet can be retro or modern depending on how you use it. To achieve this look, choose paint with an ultra-gloss finish.
peeling paint
At the other end of the spectrum from super clean high gloss cabinetry is an equally attractive option with stripped paint. Here, the light blue cabinet is intentionally distressed.
warm ivory
Ivory, a creamy white paint color, is perfect for any kitchen. In this case, decorate with subdued cabinetry to complement the bright bursts of color around the kitchen.
corner cabinet
To make the most of your cabinet's storage potential, make sure any corners are out of the way. Lazy Susans and other clever accessories can help you make the most of these spaces.
trim treatment
Treat your cabinets the same way you treat your trim. This means standardizing the color of basic details such as wall trim and window glass.
modern edge
Jennifer Hughes Photos
Homeowners interested in modern design can take comfort in the fact that there are plenty of contemporary cabinetry options as well. For a modern look, try high-contrast colors with a sophisticated finish with an industrial edge.
Try Bright
Neither neutral nor moody, the almost neon cabinetry doesn't shy away from bold colors. This tropical color adds an exciting and bold accent to your kitchen.
unexpected silhouette
Unlike traditional rectangular shaker style cabinets, these cabinets feature rounded tops. Although it is a simple design, it makes a big impact on the entire room.
light wood
“Cherry or dark stained wood cabinets are a thing of the past,” says Smith. “People tend to be drawn to colors that make a kitchen feel bright.”
match the food
Painting your oven hood the same color as your cabinetry will help it blend in better. With matching hood and cabinetry, this coastal kitchen is effortlessly beautiful.
handle free
Can't decide on cabinet hardware? Skip all together.
decoration
Upgrade your cabinets with built-in styles like these decorated cabinets. If you choose to go the geometric route, choose details and shapes that complement other motifs in the room.
Time to shine on the island
We Southerners love kitchen islands. To really make it pop, focus your cabinet paint job on the island.
Sky-high
“Kitchen cabinets are not installed all the way to the ceiling.” [is a mistake]. A client of mine recently asked me if he should install new kitchen cabinets into the ceiling or leave a gap between the upper cabinets and the ceiling. “Although gaps used to be the norm when designing kitchens, you end up sacrificing storage, and there is nothing worse than not having enough storage in your kitchen,” says Smith. I'll reveal. “Needless to say, the gap is also a dust collector.”
