When choosing a color for your kitchen, should you follow kitchen trends or simply go for the color you like? We asked designers, and we found out that your kitchen should give you joy. Although most people agree that you should, there are some kitchen cabinet colors you should avoid if you want to follow the latest kitchen trends.
“Remember, anything is possible; you just have to live with it,” says interior designer Stephanie Bailey of Decolbudi. “It's your space, so it should be yours.”
Of course, choosing a color for your kitchen cabinets isn't without its challenges. After all, it's a big investment, so you want to be sure of your decision and not decide on the color you choose right away. Whether you're looking to create a dream design for your forever home or know you'll be selling it in a few years, finding the right shade for you and your property is important.
“It all depends on your circumstances: whether you rent or own a property, how long you want to live there, your budget, space and light. This is a big expense, so many people choose a neutral option very carefully. That being said, people are becoming more brave with color and applying color in small amounts,” Stephanie says.
Outdated kitchen cabinet colors to avoid in 2024
Gray remains the most common color for kitchen cabinets, but demand has fallen from 21% to 19% since last year, according to the 2024 UK Houzz Kitchen Trends study. Similarly, white appears to be on the decline as a staple, with green units and unpainted medium wood being the most popular, up 3% and 2% respectively.
When choosing a color scheme for your kitchen, you may want to go for gray or white, even though it lowers your style barometer. But don't worry. What really matters is the type of shade you use and how you use it. Let me explain. Here are the outdated kitchen cabinet colors to avoid in 2024 and what you can do instead…
1.Dark blue
(Image credit: Future)
“Dark shades are a bold choice, especially if your kitchen is modest in size. You need lots of natural light to make the space bright and airy,” says Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery says Mr.
Lately, the mood has been shifting toward pale blue kitchen ideas. Think pastel blues, denim, and shades of purple. These bright colors have a timeless appeal and can withstand changing design trends, keeping your space stylish for years to come.
“Balancing light blue with white or off-white creates a bright, airy, light, coastal feel to your home. This look is often complemented by wicker, bamboo, and warm wood. accompanied by furniture,” says Dawn Filkins, head of creative at Smile Kitchens.
Pale and mid blues pair well with marble worktops and neutral walls, allowing the unit to make a statement.
Dark blue remains a popular shaker kitchen idea if you want to maintain a moody feel. “Choose neutral colors like denim and navy, which can be combined with both light and dark accents to create completely different looks,” says Ruth.
“Lightly veined marble work surfaces and splashbacks, silver finishes and dark oak furniture create a design that encompasses both modern and traditional. If you prefer a more contemporary finish, exaggerated bar handles , under-cupboard lighting and mustard accessories,” she says.
2.Cool gray
(Image credit: Future/James French)
The gray kitchen is still there, but now has a warmer feel. Try clay, brown, or pinkish toned shades that don't look cold.
“Our best-selling color is gray, accounting for over 40% of sales. This is the second year in a row that it has been our best-selling shade and shows that gray is here to stay,” says Ruth. says.
For a modern look, rosy gray adds a very subtle touch of color. Pastel pinks and plaster pinks have been popular in furniture and accessories for the past few years, and these colors are now making their way into the kitchen as well. “It's a softer alternative to the warmer greiges that have been steadily replaced by grays over the past few years,” says Dawn. “They are often associated with creating a relaxing and quiet environment, which is becoming increasingly important as we spend more and more time at home.”
Gray is a neutral base that can be paired with a variety of finishes, such as marble and mirror for a luxurious look, or black and gray accessories for an industrial feel. Or why not lean into a warm gray with brass handles?
“If you're looking for a hint of pink without being too overpowering, consider using it only on islands and lower cabinets to balance it out with more neutral colors,” says Ruth.
3. Pine or orange oak
(Image credit: Armac Martin)
Now commonly seen in older vacation rentals or renovation projects that haven't been touched in years, pine or orange oak kitchen cabinet doors often remain unused for months. It was often used before. These days, this style can make you lose track of time in the kitchen.
“Choosing orange oak cabinetry often limits the types of furniture you can pair it with. Ideally, you should use a wood that matches the cabinetry to create a cohesive look in the room. ,” says Ruth.
Unpainted wood kitchen cabinets are a big trend for 2024. By leaving the wood natural, the beauty of color and grain becomes the main feature of the kitchen. However, to keep it modern, consider light-toned woods like oak, birch plywood, ash, or textured foil-wrapped doors that mimic the real thing.
4. Pure white
(Image credit: James French)
Although white remains one of the most requested colors overall, not all white kitchen ideas are trending.
“It's all about a matte finish, not a glossy finish,” Stephanie says. “When a client wants white, we often consider a soft white or off-white. Or, we suggested going a little more bold and going for a two-tone kitchen. Perhaps white for the upper units?” Use an off-white color and add a soft teal or other color to the lower levels.”
Off-white provides a great base from which you can update your kitchen plans with accessories over time, so it's no surprise that white and other neutral colors are universally appealing.
“Their neutrality means they can be styled in so many ways. They are timeless as they form the perfect foundation to complement current trends. Owners can keep the cabinetry the same but switch up the aesthetic,” says Ruth.
5. Dark green
(Image credit: Future PLC / Caroline Mardon)
Just like dark blue, green kitchen ideas can also brighten up. Consider pastel colors like sage tones, soft olive greens, and even mint. It all ties back to our continued desire to look to the natural world for inspiration.
“Natural light tones are more calming and uplifting than dark tones,” explains Stephanie. “I love creating contrast with pale colors. Choosing a worktop with more pattern and texture enhances the look and adds edge. Soft colors and complementary shapes and textures The fluted surfaces look beautiful on sage green cabinets.”
For a monochromatic approach, you can also combine different shades of green, giving the wall cabinets a lighter tone and using a darker green for the base unit or island.
Sage green pairs perfectly with neutrals and other greens and grays, making it a great option for those looking for a subtle splash of color. Thanks to its versatility, it can be styled to embody everything from a traditional farmhouse kitchen to a strikingly contemporary luxury space,” says Ruth.
FAQ
What is the most timeless kitchen cabinet color?
If you want your kitchen to be timeless, look back to a bygone era.
“From dark blues and green-blues to burgundy and Indian yellow, the classic historic colors that relate to the era of this property are timeless,” says Stephanie.
There's a good reason why shades like white and gray remain in the hot-selling spot. These are simple enough to withstand many trend cycles and are easy to update with colorful accessories on a budget.
Also think about longevity. “If you're fickle, we recommend avoiding bold colors, especially on cabinet doors,” says Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery.
“While it may seem like a fun and exciting change, you may find yourself questioning that choice in the future. There are other ways to incorporate color. Create a feature wall that's easy to repaint when you get tired of it. You can also add some color to your accessories by choosing your favorite colors for tableware, upholstery, and accent details. That way, even when you want to go back to basics, you can completely transform your kitchen. No need to redesign.”
What are the trending kitchen cabinet colors in 2024?
This year's kitchen color trends are calm, warm tones that evoke a sense of nature. We're talking warm neutrals, sage greens, sky blues, and earthy clay tones. When in doubt, look outside and see what colors are around you.
“The beauty of earth-inspired hues is that they're versatile and lend themselves well to the role of a neutral base color without being one-dimensional,” says Ruth. 'Depending on personal preference, the palette can be warm or cool. Traditional warm colors like terracotta are included, but more muted tones like sage, cashmere, driftwood blue and stone gray are also spread throughout her color wheel. ”
Perhaps matte black kitchens are on the rise as well, as amazing as they are. While certainly bold, black provides a solid backdrop for adding statement features such as a stunning striped stone worktop, metal hardware and dramatic taps.
“You can also play with texture by pairing matte black cabinets with textured finishes such as stone graphite to add depth to a space. Textures can help break up monochromatic colors while adding tactile interest. ” suggests Ruth.
Which color will you wave goodbye to? And which shade will take its place?
