Although kitchen cabinets play a vital role in terms of function, they also have a major influence on the overall appearance of your space. Knowing that they’re the focal point of any kitchen design, it’s not surprising they evoke a certain emotional response once you step inside your kitchen. For this reason, making thoughtful decisions about them is crucial, from the right colors and materials to the scale and design.
However, choosing cabinets that add to a room’s attractiveness and cohesion can prove to be quite a challenge – the wrong style can make an otherwise elegant kitchen appear unattractive. Whether you’re thinking about hardware that makes a bold statement or wants to build a cleverly hidden storage system for your kitchen, here are 5 trending favorites shared by The Kitchen Studio, a full-service residential interior design + build firm to get you inspired before embarking on your kitchen remodel.
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1. Shaker-style cabinets
Clean, classic lines make shaker cabinet doors a strong contender because they blend in seamlessly with almost any décor. Also known as “five-piece” cabinets, these cabinets come with five-panel doors, consisting of a four-piece frame and a flat center panel.
Traditionally, shaker-style cabinets are made from high-quality hardwood, such as pine, birch, and maple. However, they’re now painted in pretty much any color you can imagine, which can easily lend a cozy touch to any modern kitchen.
2. Open shelving
It’s all about minimalism these days. You can make your kitchen feel more spacious simply by adding a floating shelf or two, especially if you pare down to just the essentials. In the right setting, open shelves can be the focal point of a room and be a sophisticated, yet subtle feature. For example, picture a stunning raw wood shelf in an authentic farmhouse kitchen.
Moreover, it makes things easier when everything is easily accessible. Keeping your most-used items within easy reach saves you time, streamlines kitchen workflow, and makes you more productive.
3. Slab style
When you think of an innovative, contemporary kitchen, slab cabinets probably take center stage. As the name implies, the style features a large, single piece of wood, plywood, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). There’s a wide range of finishes and veneers for flat panels, ranging from glossy white, gray, and lacquered tones to wood-like hues. Unadorned fronts look elegant with statement hardware or can appear even more extravagant with no visible hardware. This minimalist look is having a moment, and it may be your winning ticket for this year’s color cabinet trend.
4. Country or farmhouse style
If you’re looking for one of the most sumptuous cabinetry looks that add character to your home, country, and farmhouse cabinets are the way to go. They’re both a less formal version of traditional cabinetry.
These styles feature more relaxed materials, like beadboard, shiplap, tin metal, and reclaimed wood. The use of glass doors or open shelving can enhance their charming look, which is exactly what has brought them to the top of homeowners’ wish lists.
5. Contrasting hardware
As the old saying goes, opposites attract. Design-wise, opposites bring together two completely different elements into one harmonious whole. As a result, one of the most popular kitchen cabinet trends is contrast. Let’s take a closer look at how you can achieve that.
Choose hardware that will make your cabinet color stand out. For instance, silver and gold work well when paired with dark matte cabinets. With white or gray cabinets, choose hardware that has an oil-rubbed bronze appearance. Regardless of how you combine them, they’ll bring elegance right into your home. In case you do not want to take a major color risk, even a subtle contrast will add a touch of glamour to your kitchen.