A major visual component of any kitchen is the cabinets. They’re one of the larger investments you’ll make in your custom kitchen and give the biggest impression. Besides the style of your cabinets, the amount and type of storage they will provide can be the difference between ease of use or a source of frustration. Combine high style and high function with the 2023 cabinet design trends. What’s trending in kitchen cabinets for 2023? Let’s find out.
Dark stains on kitchen cabinets are seeing a restrained return. These aren’t the traditional raised panel, warm-toned dark cabinets from decades ago, but cooler tones on flat or shaker-style cabinet doors. It’s a more contemporary take on a retro idea. To pull off the look, opt for solid wood cabinets rather than veneers. You really can tell the difference. It elevates the trend, but in a cozy way. To balance the real wood grain that will create visual interest, choose a solid color on the upper cabinets, lower cabinets, or the kitchen island, like classic white, trendy sage green, or a cool muted blue.
An unexpected addition to the 2023 cabinet trends are stained glass panels. Choose a deco style for an upscale contemporary look, or something understated that echoes the craftsman style. Less is more when it comes to the pattern and style you choose. You don’t want to get tired of your stained glass cabinets sooner than later with ornate or busy patterns. Choose a pair of standalone cabinet doors or accent your entire upper cabinets with the look. Include lighting inside the cabinet doors to really show them off.
Color has made a big comeback after years of all-white or all-gray kitchens. Last year’s colors were all about calming earth tones. This year, homeowners and designers are experimenting with bolder warm tones, like orange, yellow, and red. For a smaller dose of color, paint your kitchen island, just the lower cabinets, or your built-in bar that’s just off the kitchen. Also, try deeper shades of these warm tones, like burnt orange, brick red, or an almost-neutral ochre.
As already mentioned, two-toned cabinets are a great way to experiment with color without the bigger impact of painting all of your upper and lower cabinets the same color. Use the two-toned approach by painting your lowers a deeper color and keeping your uppers a neutral tone, or painting only your island. It adds more personality than an all-over neutral. Try combinations of deep orange below and cream above, blue on the island and natural wood parameter cabinets, or black lowers and gray uppers.
Natural wood came back in a big way in 2022 and the trend continues into 2023. Forgo the wood veneer manufactured cabinets and choose solid wood, however. Flat fronts offer a more contemporary minimalism, while shaker cabinets coordinate with the still-popular modern farmhouse style trend. Choose a wood tone that complements your other common spaces, like your built-ins in the living room or your luxury vinyl flooring.
Take the natural wood tones to the next level by mixing them with brass-clad cabinets. Choosing brass on the uppers and wood on the lowers will really show off this luxe trend. Opting for brass on the lowers will ground the style a bit more, literally and figuratively. Top your cabinets with a bright marble or quartz countertop to finish the look.
Stainless steel has been a go-to for the industrial/commercial aesthetic in kitchens for a couple of years now. However, designers are taking the material from the countertops to the cabinets. Stainless steel lower cabinets look fantastic when mixed with white upper cabinets and an island, and even better with an island topped with a butcher block.
Otherwise referred to as open shelving, open displays are yet another trend that has seen a recent shift to wide appeal. The trick to keeping your kitchen from looking cluttered, however, is to reserve these open shelves for matching tableware sets, glassware, or your serving crystal. Place a few small potted plants and special trinkets between your standard kitchenware for style. When in the mix with standard upper cabinets, it can help to create more visual openness.
Carry your kitchen cabinet colors and styles into the walk-in pantry. Just because the door is usually closed, doesn’t mean that the space doesn’t deserve a little style. Work with your designer to make sure there’s plenty of space to move around in there. Use a mix of lower cabinets and upper open shelving for the most functional composition.
For even more storage and prep space, consider a butler’s pantry that’s tucked behind the kitchen in an adjoining smaller space. Here, you can carry the same style and colors, or coordinate in the same way you would in a two-toned kitchen. It’s a very convenient place to also stow away your smaller appliances, like the microwave or stand-up mixer, rather than interrupting the cabinetry in the kitchen.
Most of us have experienced awkwardly shaped cabinets, the cabinets that just can’t accommodate a large kitchen tool, or deep cabinets that are difficult to organize. Custom cabinetry in the kitchen is the answer to all of these problems and so many more. Slide-out shelves, waste baskets and recycling bins on tracks, deep drawers with dividers for plates, and cabinets that are a perfect fit for your kitchen gadgets, complete with outlets built right in, will be the best investment you’ve ever made for your kitchen.
When you’re planning your custom kitchen remodel or your custom home build, the design options are nearly endless, which can feel a little overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to hire a design-build team who can help guide you through the process.
Derrick Custom Homes is a design-build firm that has delivered not only beautiful spaces but functional spaces in the Twin Cities area for decades. We know that a space should bring you joy and alleviate frustration, especially in the kitchen. It’s also why we offer custom on-site cabinetry made by our skilled artisans. Every home that Derrick Custom Homes designs includes custom millwork, from trim to cabinets. Contact us to schedule a consultation about your dream kitchen today.