New home buyers traditionally have kept kitchen cabinets neutral. But the new trends are all about color, even on cabinets. Here are some kitchen cabinet designs being installed in new construction and renovations.
Styles
Finished wood versus painted cabinets — which will be big this year? Both! Don’t feel pressured to stick to one style. Instead, mix it up by incorporating elements from contrasting styles. Whether you choose painted cabinets, finished wood, or some of each, colored cabinets can make your kitchen look updated.
Textures
From matte black to glossy white to mirrored finishes — and many options in between — available kitchen cabinet products will allow you to choose just the look you want. Highly polished, sleek surfaces are particularly on-trend right now. If you’re not into that look for your cabinets, use glossy hardware accents. Also consider earthy textures, like wood floors against painted cabinets, which will look fresh and new when used amid a more contemporary atmosphere.
Trendy colors
Experts already predict shades of green — especially hunter and olive — are new popular options for kitchen cabinets and other décor. Also, on-trend will be just about any shade of blue. For the more classically inclined, you can’t go wrong by sticking to a finished wood or white painted finish. A tip: When painting cabinets, offset one dark tone as your base color with a lighter, more vibrant accent elsewhere.
Neutral palettes
Palettes in neutral tones offer a calming effect by reducing contrast. Natural finishes can look fresh and modern when paired with glossy white cabinets. For a different neutral, opt for still-popular greys, or even a metallic cabinet color. Designers anticipate that industrial looks will have a strong place as well.
New kitchen cabinets or paint existing ones?
If your cabinets show some wear but remain in good structural condition, think about painting them — you’ll spend a fraction of what you would on new ones. Though many products and tutorials exist for DIY cabinet paint jobs, call a professional or two for estimates before you pull out the paintbrushes. They have all the right equipment and will finish the job much more quickly than you will. If you decide to do the work yourself, follow the instructions for cleaning and prepping the surface first, and be prepared for the mess. For another option, consider replacing just the faces and door fronts in a painted finish, leaving the boxes intact.
Consider resale when choosing kitchen cabinets
Color can add energy to a room, and painted cabinets can make the kitchen inviting. If you expect to list your home in the future, however, consider your audience. Buyers might gravitate toward a home with a more classic-looking kitchen. Instead of painting all your cabinets to a trendy color, you can limit the color to an island or a separate bank of cabinets, creating a focal point. Or acquire a furniture-style island in the color of your choice, which you can take with you when you move.
Related – When a Kitchen Island is a No, a Peninsula Might Work
