When you walk into a kitchen, one look at the cabinets will tell you if the space is outdated. You can often guess when it was last remodeled. As with all things interior design, color trends for kitchen cabinets are always changing. First and foremost, you should choose something you love, but if you're stuck on some direction, renovating a rental property, or just love design, it's good to have some reference material. Thanks to a few kitchen design experts I had the pleasure of speaking with, here's your reference material.
Latest Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends for 2024
1. Dyeing cabinet
“Stained cabinets are definitely popular right now,” says Cheyenne Ely, owner and principal designer at Cheyenne Paige Interiors in The Woodlands, Texas. “They're less likely to scratch or stain.” Not to mention, staining brings out the wood's natural knots and grain, adding depth and texture that paint just can't achieve.
2. Moody Green
According to Vine Esmond, founder and principal designer of the eponymous design firm in San Carlos, California, “homeowners are looking for more depth, atmosphere, and mystery in their kitchens.” They also want a sense of calm and a connection to nature, making dark green the obvious choice. “The right shade can create a beautiful, warm, inviting, and intriguing space,” she concludes.
3. Warm Neutrals
Ellie says clients considering warm neutrals have two options: white or greige/putty. “From a practical standpoint, these colors are a bit more forgiving, but they also create the coziness and comfort that some kitchens need when paired with stainless steel appliances,” she explains. Bonus: According to Sarah Anderson, founder of Chansaerae Designs in Washington, DC, “these colors help break away from the constricting feeling that a white kitchen can have.”
Kitchen cabinet color trends will come to an end in 2024
1. Stark White
The debate over whether or not your kitchen should be all white is ongoing and likely to continue. “Trends aside, homeowners are moving away from all-white kitchens for practical reasons,” Ellie says. “Clients who have large families, small children, or frequent get-togethers often find it difficult to keep a white kitchen clean.” Even those clients who still choose white kitchens prefer to add personality with pops of color or warm neutrals. Some homeowners are opting for two-tone kitchen cabinets to hide stains. So I…
2. Monochromatic Palette
What Ellie means here is that all the surrounding cabinets and the island are the same color. “In some kitchens, a monochromatic palette can make the room feel flat and uninteresting,” she says. “Changing the color of your cabinets can seem like an unnecessary and unwelcome step in your design, but it's an opportunity to bring a sense of unity to your home.” It may sound counterintuitive, but a two-tone kitchen allows you to match your island to your entryway, adjacent rooms, or even your décor.
3. Grey
Ellie has Millennial Gray on her blacklist, but for those who are still sticking with the color, she recommends Sherwin-Williams' Accessible Beige. “It's a great neutral beige with gray undertones that can go from cool to warm, depending on the design elements around it,” she explains. But be sure to check the swatch first; paint can look very different on walls in the same room depending on how the light hits it.
4. Dark Wood
While stained cabinets are making a comeback overall, Anderson says that not all shades are back. “Some people are still using woods like dark cherry, but the majority are staying with lighter colors,” she explains. That makes sense, since it's easier to see the natural beauty of wood and makes kitchens (which are typically 80% cabinetry) feel more open.
