6 Kitchen Cabinet Trends Designers Are Loving for 2024
Mixed Design Styles
Some designers and architects foresee new takes in transitional design with regards to cabinetry and hardware.
“We are seeing a surge in the ‘skinny shaker’ cabinet style which updates the classic cabinet with a much thinner frame typically around a half an inch wide,'” Karen Frome, founder of Rise Projects, says.
Frome explains how this kind of update will refresh and modernize any shaker look while also helping it maintain the warm, homey feeling of the more traditional rendition.
"The skinny shaker style will make for a fresh take on a timeless kitchen," Frome says.
Laura Brophy, founder of Laura Brophy Interiors, says that there has been a growing appreciation for the charm and warmth of past eras in modern kitchen design.
"This trend sees the incorporation of vintage elements like classic paneling, traditional hardware, and retro-inspired color palettes into contemporary kitchens," Brophy says. "The idea is to blend nostalgia with the conveniences of modern cabinetry.”
Along the same lines, Amy Courtney, principal of Amy Courtney Design, says to be on the lookout for minimalistic but vintage-inspired hardware that marries slim-lined and elegant shapes.
There’s a really good chance you’ve lived in a home with MasterBrand cabinets, and if not, you’ve definitely been in someone else’s house that’s been outfitted with them. MasterBrand is one of the largest manufacturers of residential cabinets in North America, so when they released their 2024 Cabinetry Design and Trend Report, we hopped on it!
Courtesy of MasterBrand
Stephanie Pierce, the brand’s director of design and trends, walked us through what’s popular right now in cabinetry so you can plan your next kitchen update accordingly (or so you can just pin these dreamily on a mood board). Some of what’s trending may not be super surprising as they’ve been floating around in the design world for a while now, but that makes them great options for kitchen designs with staying power. And there are a few new fads surfacing that actually might surprise you! Read on to find out what’s hot in the kitchen now.
Wood Grain Galore
Courtesy of MasterBrand
One huge trend we’re seeing across the board in design is the color brown and anything brown-adjacent, especially woods. Going overboard with wood in rooms by way of wall paneling and layering large furniture pieces of different species is especially in vogue because it adds an intense organic warmth and texture. According to MasterBrand, “The popularity of wood grain is on the rise, showcasing a growing appreciation for the organic beauty and texture of wood as homeowners embrace nature-inspired aesthetics.” But it was a little bit of a surprise to see unpainted kitchen cabinets resurfacing! We’re so accustomed to anything but wood in the kitchen nowadays, especially because it can often look dated if the right material isn’t selected. To ensure your choice is in style, pick lighter wood finishes like bleached-out natural woods and white oak with a light or natural tone.
Creamy Taupes and Off-Whites
Courtesy of MasterBrand
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White kitchen cabinets are still kind of in. MasterBrand says 40 percent of renovated kitchens showcase this classic color choice. Except, we’re no longer gravitating towards stark white. It can look crisp and clean, but it doesn’t feel homey or inviting, which is the opposite effect you want for a space most people consider the heart of the home. Folks are now choosing warmer tones like creamy taupe and off-whites, pairing them with wood accents for an even cozier vibe.
Orange and Red Undertones
Courtesy of MasterBrand
Speaking of warm colors, red and orange undertones are slowly creeping into wood kitchen cabinets. (This is in addition to the light wood grains we mentioned earlier.) It’s a trend that makes sense from a design perspective—earthy paint shades like clay and terracotta have been the buzz for a few years now so it’s natural for those reddish hues to spill into other materials. MasterBrand says, “Hues of warm orange-reds are showing up on walls, furnishings, and decor, adding depth and character to interiors and providing a visual focal point that effortlessly draws the eye in and sparks interest without taking away from a neutral, earthy space.”
Mixed-Color Cabinets
Courtesy of MasterBrand
Contrasting cabinets are still all the rage and probably won’t go away for a while—it’s such an easy way to incorporate color without going overboard! MasterBrand confirms findings from Houzz that say 46 percent of homeowners are opting for color mixing in the kitchen. “Most often, they are choosing a contrasting island cabinet color, diverging from the shade on the main cabinets with a more dramatic tone.” As for specific shades, MasterBrand says consumers are turning to earthy, muted, and moody shades, with the most popular choices being blue, gray, black, and warm brown tones.
Modern-Traditional Styles
Courtesy of MasterBrand
People are loving the idea of balancing the old with the new—MasterBrand says the top cabinet styles they’re seeing are transitional, soft modern, and modern traditional. It provides a great middle-ground for folks who don’t want to fully commit to just one aesthetic. MasterBrand did confirm that modern design is definitely still hot at the moment in kitchens, but “homeowners and designers are blending design elements to balance aesthetics, functionality and personal flair in kitchens. These styles provide an ideal foundation for creating personalized spaces that offer both modernity and timeless elegance.” Basically, people are probably choosing this more hybridized style so their spaces don’t look dated in a year or two—smart!
Kitchen Islands Instead of Dining Tables
Courtesy of MasterBrand
Not surprising: Kitchen islands are still really popular. Really surprising: Kitchen islands are now totally replacing dining tables in many homes, according to MasterBrand. Eighty-three percent of the designers they surveyed have done so in projects they’ve taken on. Folks are seeking more multipurpose pieces in their homes—islands offer more countertop space for meal prep, plus plenty of storage. And now on top of all this, they’re the new family dining table.