Designing the perfect kitchen requires so many elements. From choosing a statement backsplash to deciding on the right appliances to make cooking and entertaining a breeze, there are plenty of choices when designing a kitchen that will determine the overall aesthetic of the room. One of the big focuses in your kitchen is choosing the look of your cabinets.
Like most things, furniture design has gone through its own trends over the years. Ten years ago, it was common to see mostly white farmhouse-style kitchens with shaker cabinets, but now homeowners are incorporating more color and organic textures like stone. , bringing back more traditional custom features such as inset cabinetry. Ahead of that, we spoke to several designers to tell us about the kitchen cabinet trends for 2024.
colorful cabinet
france and french interior
In the 2010s, bright, white kitchens with white cabinets were the look for kitchens. But in 2024, color will become more prominent in the heart of the home, says Stephanie Pierce, director of design and trends at MasterBrand Cabinets. “More and more people are choosing to mix colors throughout the cabinetry in the kitchen, and most often choose a contrasting color for the island cabinets,” says Pearce.
Designers Matt and Heather French of French & French Interiors agree, saying they perfectly incorporate the colors of their clients' kitchens. “Deep, muddy tones of green and yellow cabinetry bring so much character to a kitchen,” they say. “I love how these colors add depth and story to a high-traffic room, even if it has a slightly dirty feel.”
curved edges
John Keeble/Getty Images
As with other aspects of home design, organic shapes are making leaps and bounds from furniture to kitchen cabinetry. “Organic, curvaceous forms have dominated furniture design in recent years, but this year we're seeing more curvaceous shapes in cabinets and other kitchen fixtures as homeowners look to add their own personality to their spaces. “We expect edgy edges and arches to become more mainstream,” Pearce says.
stone cabinet door
JuJuEnter/Getty Images
When we think of stone in the kitchen, we usually think of countertops and backsplashes. But when it comes to kitchen stone, it's time to think outside the box. “Stone is no longer just for countertops; it can also be used for kitchen cabinet doors,” says designer Sarah Hilary.
traditional cabinet doors
Provided by Masterbrand Wood
Shaker cabinets have been a trend in kitchen design for the past decade or so, but we expect to see a decline in the use of this style in exchange for something a little more traditional. “The style of cabinet door fronts is softening towards a more traditional look,” says designer Jiang Liu. “We're opting for a more transitional, classic style that includes reducing shaker or slab cabinet fronts and using beaded inset details in their place.” This look is often white This is further accentuated by cabinets finished in stained wood in light tones such as oak.
inset cabinet
Photo by Mary Kelly | Design by Brattesani Designs
Barbra Scarpulla, designer and project manager at Brattesani Designs, says that instead of full overlays for kitchen cabinets, more clients are asking for inset cabinetry, a classic look popular in the 1800s, and what's old is new again. It is said that it has become. “We truly believe that's because full overlays are more popular with stock and builder-grade lines, while inset cabinets generally cost more and give a more upscale custom look.” she says.
cabinet storage solutions
Barbra Scarpulla | Design by Brattesani Designs
Of course, the look of your kitchen cabinets is important for coordinating the overall design aesthetic of the space, but the functionality of the cabinets is just as important, and clients are increasingly taking it into consideration. “Many customers today are concerned about what's inside their cabinets and how they can make the most of their storage space,” says Scarpulla. “While many clients are often partial to the look of drawer-based furniture, they are now increasingly interested in what inserts are available within cabinet drawers to maximize space. Examples include spice drawers, cupboard drawers, cutlery dividers, lid dividers, and pantry cabinets.
warm neutral tones
Sarah Ligoria-Trump / Design: Julie Rose for Verinda Helen Design / Styling: Emily Bowser
Drawing on the organic shapes and textures that pervade home design in general, warm, natural neutral colors are also making an appearance for clients who want to ditch the all-white kitchen but don't want to go all-in. A bolder color palette – think sand and beige. “Many clients lean toward light beige or off-white colors rather than traditional white kitchen cabinets,” Scarpoola says. “In fact, in our last 20 renovation and new construction projects, sand and beige tones have been chosen over white nine times out of ten.”
