Kitchen cabinets are one of our biggest investments (in our homes, period). They're also the kitchen feature most likely to last. High-lacquer cherry cabinets with braided wood trim are a good example of how a permanent feature can fall out of style.
I spoke with brand consultant and interior designer TK Wismer of the Department of Interiors about kitchen cabinet trends that are vanishing fast. She suggested we can say goodbye to these cabinet trends this year.
Wismer says, “Wood is really popular,” and it's a terrific sustainable natural resource, but white oak has gotten hard to find, possibly due to its attractiveness. “Ultimately it comes down to what you can get,” she says. The result: “We’ve seen the prices rise.” Lighter woods are being replaced by mid-tones.
White has covered us for a while. “Every beautiful kitchen we've seen is white,” says Wismer. The definition of oversaturation. With so many white walls and ceilings, “People are really understanding that they need a little bit more depth,” she adds of the gorgeous color for a kitchen. A creamy or khaki tint, like she used in her kitchen renovation, can also highlight white elements.
Wismer argues ornate profiles are antiquated. Since we're ditching ornamental cabinets, even Shaker style is slimming down, she says. Her preference is a slender Shaker with a hint of edge if you're not ready for flat profiles. 5. Matching Brass and Matte Black Hardware
Wismer argues ornate profiles are antiquated. Since we're ditching ornamental cabinets, even Shaker style is slimming down, she says. Her preference is a slender Shaker with a hint of edge if you're not ready for flat profiles. 5. Matching Brass and Matte Black Hardware
Taking their place? “Blue and green are really becoming neutrals,” she added, especially in lighter tones, and with the growing trend of drawing color inspiration from nature (it's what we view out our windows). She adds that stock cabinets now come in those colors.
Wismer thinks gutting a kitchen to remodel it wastes too much. Both in landfill materials and money. As we all consider the expense of living and DIY tasks, sometimes it's quicker to change out the front than gut the cabinet, she says. We can preserve the boxes but customize a room with bespoke cabinet faces.