Kitchen cabinets are one of the most visible features in any kitchen. The color and style you choose for your cabinets will set the tone for your whole kitchen’s aesthetic. While white and off-white cabinets have been popular for years, some new and exciting cabinet color trends are emerging. Keep reading to find out what cabinet colors are in style today!
The Popularity of White Cabinets
White kitchen cabinets have dominated the market for decades. There are some good reasons for their enduring popularity:
- White cabinets are timeless. They’ll never go out of style.
- White reflects light well, making kitchens feel bright and spacious.
- White cabinets pair well with any wall color, countertop material, hardware, or kitchen decor.
- White kitchens feel clean, crisp, and modern.
Here are some statistics on the popularity of white cabinets:
| Year | Percentage of Homeowners with White Cabinets |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 43% |
| 2015 | 39% |
| 2020 | 35% |
While white kitchen cabinets are still selected by over a third of homeowners, other colors are growing in popularity as people seek new looks.
The Rise of Gray Cabinets
For homeowners who want a subtle, versatile color that’s not as stark as white, gray has become a top cabinet choice in recent years. Gray combines some of the benefits of white cabinets with a warmer, more natural aesthetic. Pros of gray kitchen cabinets include:
- Gray has a timeless, sophisticated look.
- Cool grays have a similar clean feel as white.
- Warmer grays add subtle contrast and depth.
- Gray is extremely versatile and pairs with any style or color palette.
- Painted gray finishes are now widely available.
The trend towards gray cabinets is borne out in surveys of homeowners:
| Year | Percentage of Homeowners with Gray Cabinets |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 10% |
| 2020 | 15% |
| 2023 | 21% |
Grays now outpace other trendy neutral cabinet colors like beige and tan, and the demand for gray continues to rise.
The Allure of Two-Tone Cabinets
Another growing trend is combining two different cabinet colors in the same kitchen. Common color combinations include:
- Gray lower cabinets with white uppers
- White perimeter cabinets with an island in a darker or brighter shade
- Neutral cabinets with pops of color on the island or accent cabinets
There are several advantages to selecting two-tone cabinets:
- Allows you to enjoy both light and dark colors
- Lets you highlight specific features like an island
- Adds visual interest, depth, and contrast
- Feels fresh and modern
The percentage of new kitchens incorporating two-tone cabinets has climbed quickly:
| Year | Percentage of Kitchens with Two-Tone Cabinets |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4% |
| 2020 | 11% |
| 2023 | 17% |
Expect to see more and more kitchens embracing the variety and design potential of two separate cabinet colors.
Vibrant Painted Cabinets
While neutral cabinet shades still dominate, colorful painted cabinets are gaining traction. Here are some of the most popular colors for painted kitchen cabinets right now:
- Navy blue – Classic and sophisticated
- Sage green – Calming and natural
- Brick red – Warm and inviting
- Canary yellow – Cheery and fun
- Soft pink – Feminine and romantic
Painted cabinets allow you to personalize your kitchen with color in a bold or subtle way. Reasons homeowners are gravitating towards painted cabinets include:
- Inexpensive way to update cabinets
- Endless color options to fit your style
- Achieve a custom, high-end look
- Easier to change down the road than stained cabinets
While still less common than neutral cabinets, the fraction of homeowners opting for vibrant painted cabinets has increased over the past decade:
| Year | Percentage of Kitchens with Painted Colorful Cabinets |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5% |
| 2020 | 9% |
| 2023 | 12% |
Painted cabinets in bold colors remain a top trend to watch as homeowners grow more daring with their kitchen design.
The Allure of Natural Wood
While painted cabinets are rising in popularity, many homeowners still prefer the beauty of natural wood. Top wood species for cabinets today include:
- Oak – Strong and sturdy with bold grain
- Maple – Smooth and creamy, ideal for painting
- Cherry – Rich red undertones that darken over time
- Hickory – Rustic look with dramatic grain variation
- Walnut – Subtle grain with dark, warm finish
The benefits that make wood cabinets perennially popular include:
- Timeless, classic look
- Warm and inviting aesthetic
- Naturally water- and stain-resistant
- Durable and long-lasting
- Can be refinished instead of replaced
While the fraction of homeowners selecting wood cabinets has decreased slightly, they retain a solid market share:
| Year | Percentage of Kitchens with Wood Cabinets |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 25% |
| 2020 | 20% |
| 2023 | 18% |
For many homeowners, the natural beauty of wood still can’t be beat.
Conclusion
While white kitchen cabinets are still common, exciting new color trends are emerging. Gray cabinets remain popular, as they offer a versatile, sophisticated look. Two-tone cabinets allow homeowners to enjoy the benefits of both light and dark shades. Vibrant painted cabinets in navy, green, yellow and other colors enable personalization. And classic wood cabinetry retains fans who appreciate natural beauty. Whatever your style, there’s a cabinet color and finish for you. The variety of trending options makes now an exciting time to design your dream kitchen!