When it comes to the best kitchen cabinet trends, it can be a minefield of designs, colors, and materials. Whether you prefer a classic look with lots of detailing or something more modern, such as flat-fronted doors, these kitchen cabinet ideas and trends will provide you with the inspiration you need to create a scheme that fits your home’s period, your chosen decorating style, and the room’s proportions.
With exciting new kitchen brands cropping up and lots of innovative design ideas and clever twists on older designs on display in kitchen showrooms across the US, there are plenty of on-trend looks and contemporary designs to pick from.
With this in mind, we’ve talked to some of our favorite kitchen designers and kitchen trend experts to find out which kitchen cabinet trends will be big in 2023 to make choosing cabinetry a simple decision.
Kitchen cabinet trends 2023
Below, we look at the most influential kitchen cabinet trends and new kitchen ideas and pictures of kitchens to help you decide whether brand-new cabinetry is the right option for you.
(Image credit: Ledbury Studio)
The material used for the cabinet doors in your kitchen is a key design consideration, given that the door and drawer fronts usually make up the single largest element of the room. You may wish to consider a bespoke finish for added impact, creating something that is different and special, whether you choose it for all the door fronts or to highlight a key feature, such as a kitchen island.
But where to begin? ‘When commissioning a bespoke finish, it is important to think about its use and what the material might be subjected to,’ advises Rupert Bevan (opens in new tab), known for his bespoke furniture and specialist finishes. Brass, for example, is an organic material that reacts to its environment. ‘Left unlacquered, brass will slowly age and patinate with fingerprints and watermarks becoming part of its character and mellowing over time,’ he explains.
If, however, you prefer a more pristine look, the desired patination can be fixed in place with the application of the lacquer to its surface.
2. Use statement stone
(Image credit: Eggersmann Design)
The design of a monolithic island can be enhanced by cladding it – door and drawer fronts included – in thin slabs of natural stone.
‘Some stones will be more suitable than others in the modern kitchen,’ explains Joshua Tait, senior designer at Eggersmann Design (opens in new tab), who recommends quartzite as more forgiving than marbles, which are more porous and can stain, while textured finishes, such as leathering, can add to the tactile experience.
‘You can usually let the stone do the talking, using more subtle materials for all the surrounding joinery, adding warmth and elevating the beauty of your chosen stone,’ he adds.
3. Marvel at marquetry
(Image credit: Ledbury Studio)
One way to enhance the beauty of natural timber is to commission a marquetry design, the art of applying veneer to furniture to form decorative patterns, designs, or pictures.
Charlie Smallbone, the founder of Ledbury Studio (opens in new tab), has designed wood kitchen cabinets and marquetry kitchens as a contemporary take on traditional artisanal skills, using crosslaid veneers and liquid metal inlays to form decorative patterns. Given the thousands of possible marquetry designs, Charlie recommends working with your supplier to ensure you can envision what the finished doors might look like before you proceed.
‘After discussing ideas with our clients, we will produce drawings and full-color 3D renders,’ he says of his process. ‘Once approved, we will make a sample door for the client’s final approval.’
4. Fluted designs take center stage
(Image credit: Papilio)
Ribbed and fluted surfaces are making waves in the kitchen. Tactile, traditional, and with a certain decorative quality, the fluted cabinetry is making a big comeback.
Matt Prall, managing director of Papilio (opens in new tab), likes to use interesting materials and textures to re-imagine traditional kitchen furniture, recently using fluted finishes to add design interest to his projects.
‘The key considerations when selecting a bespoke finish are aesthetics versus practicalities,’ he says. But if you are willing to devote a little time to caring for your cabinets, wiping up spills promptly, and avoiding bashes, an island wrapped in fluted engineered wood could be just as hardwearing as one with classic wood doors.
5. Mixed materials make an entrance
(Image credit: Roundhouse)
A combination of bespoke materials and finishes can be used to add personality to your kitchen, especially effective when they enhance each other.
Paul Welburn, a designer at Roundhouse (opens in new tab), recently clad an island in bespoke antique brass, wrapping it in striking green quartzite. ‘We wanted to allow the relationship between these two materials to work as the focal point of the kitchen, using simple black doors for the wall cabinets,’ he explains.
6. Unpainted cabinets in a Shaker style
(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)
Bring the charm of Shaker style to your kitchen with timeless cabinetry, natural materials, and simple, honest design. Instantly recognized by their timeless, uncomplicated designs featuring simple paneled doors and an abundance of natural materials, Shaker kitchens are ubiquitous in homes throughout the world.
Unpainted cabinets may have fallen out of favor in recent years, but they are back for 2023. They introduce warmth and character to a space that may otherwise feel cold and clinical.
However, take care not to overwhelm the space with wood finishes – consider adding painted elements, and contrast tones and textures to prevent the space from looking homogenized, as in this design by Sims Hilditch (opens in new tab).
7. Sustainability at the forefront
(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)
Designing a sustainable kitchen should be an integral part of your plans if you are remodeling a kitchen in 2023.
According to Naked Kitchens (opens in new tab), the average kitchen cabinetry usually lasts between 15 to 20 years (and some high-end pieces can even last up to 50 years) before needing to be replaced. However, many homeowners replace them while they are still fully functioning as they want to create a different look. If your kitchen cabinets are structurally sound, then there is no real need to replace them. Instead, just replace your cabinet doors, it is a great way to breathe new life into the space without the cost or inconvenience of replacing your whole kitchen.
