Cabinets occupy a large area of your kitchen, determining mood and style. Modern cabinetry offers increased customization, making each design unique. When considering a kitchen remodeling, choose a style that’s functional, aesthetically pleasing, and will last for years to come.  

Modern Kitchen Cabinet Trends

1. Cabinet Designs

Shaker cabinets have a minimalist, classical design with five-piece doors and a concave center panel. Variations include decorative edging and beadboards. These additions give the shakers a transitional feel—combining both tradition and modernity.  

Slab cabinets are even more minimalist than the shakers. They’re flat and frameless, lending them a sleek and modern look, especially when given a glossy finish. Slabs can be constructed in many ways, though solid hardwood and wood veneer work best in your kitchen. Solid hardwood is sturdy, and wood veneer is water-resistant.  

In some cases, modernizing your cabinets means removing some of them. Open shelving has been a popular kitchen remodeling choice for several years. In smaller kitchens, they can create the illusion of space. Open shelves also make your kitchen more efficient. Without cabinet doors, your dishes and accessories are easy to find. If you decide on open shelves, be mindful about what’s placed on them. By having plates, bowls, and utensils visible, they become part of the aesthetic. Display items that complement the color and mood of your kitchen. However, stocking too much on your shelves can make the kitchen feel cluttered. Present what's necessary and store the rest in regular cabinets and drawers. Not only is the mix of cabinets and open shelves part of transitional design, but it also balances your style and space needs.

Transitional design is another popular choice for kitchen remodeling. It combines the warmth of the traditional with the sleekness of modern styles. Your kitchen will have a classic feel without looking dated. In a transitional kitchen, you might have conventional shakers with refinished concrete floors. For a subtle blend, use modern cabinet doors with Victorian-style hardware.

Open-frame cabinetry is another growing trend in transitional design. They have the framing of traditional cabinets but have glass centers. The glass reflects more light into the kitchen, making it appear more spacious and energetic. Some homeowners even choose to mix cabinet designs. Try contemporary open frames as upper cabinets and classic shakers below. The separation provides contrast without the styles clashing. 

Storage walls are cabinets that use a room’s vertical space to declutter it of unnecessary items. Available in various sizes, they can also fit into kitchens with lower ceilings. Install shelves in the wall for dishes, appliances, and mason jars for utensils. Add magnetic strips to the doors for easy access to cooking knives. Racks can be used for pots and skillets, and holders can be fitted for stemware. If you don’t have a dishwasher, place the dish rack inside the storage wall to free counter space.   

2. Color Options

Even if you eat in a dining room, people often congregate in the kitchen. It should be an inviting place with a warm sensibility but with a certain amount of energy that keeps the conversation lively.

White is a central color in kitchen remodeling. It’s used in cabinets because of the many options it provides. White matches any color or design, including rustic and farmhouse. The color is smooth and clean and can brighten up your kitchen if it doesn’t get enough natural light. The added brightness is inviting, drawing visitors to the kitchen.

If you’ve decided on a transitional design, a neutral color like white will work best. Using neutral colors will help designs mesh and add a feeling of timelessness.

If you want your cabinets to make a statement, add darker blues or matte black. While often used in lighter shades for neutrality, deeper blues provide contrast to stark white kitchen walls. They remind people of the beach and tend to be relaxing. Matte black is sleek without being glossy and has an air of nobility to it. However, if you’re unsure about adding bold colors to your kitchen, there’s an alternative.

Two-toned cabinets are an appealing way of adding contrast to your kitchen. Paint the upper cabinets in a neutral color and paint the lower ones darker. The result adds excitement to the neutral color while keeping the bolder one from overwhelming. As a general rule, lighter shades are used for top cabinets. Darker colors can make the ceiling feel lower in some kitchens. But, two-toned designs don’t always need bold hues. Neutral colors match with anything. You might decide to adopt warmer paints like mint green, yellow, or peach to add an airy, summery feel.   

Recent trends have made dark gray and black popular cabinet choices. The darker shades provide a sense of luxuriousness and allure. When contrasted or accented, the lighter colors add pop and a little bit of drama to the room. Accent darker cabinets with gold or copper hardware for added elegance. 

3. Finished Surfaces

Like color, a cabinet’s surface determines how your kitchen is presented. While modern trends tend to favor sleek finishes, wood is in increasing demand. Wood grain offers a calm, lived-in warmth and promotes a connection to nature. Oak’s neutral coloring matches both the traditional and modern aesthetic. Some homeowners will combine both traditional and modern designs. For a modern rustic look, try wood cabinets with quartz countertops or concrete flooring.

Glossy finishes are a mainstay of modern kitchen design. Slab cabinets in high-gloss give an industrial feel that works well in small kitchens. Acrylic surfaces are high-gloss. They have an extensive color palette to choose from, adding boldness to a sleek finish. For a warmer feeling, add wood cabinets to contrast the high-gloss counters and create a rustic industrial look.

However, not every modern kitchen needs gloss. Matte finishes aren’t glossy and have grown in popularity. It’s used mostly in darker shades—navy blue, gray, and black—for cabinets. Matte’s tones are muted, projecting sophistication rather than shine. Its surfaces absorb light rather than reflect it, hiding scratches and imperfections. Matte’s smooth texture is easy to clean. It also offers high versatility, as it can be used either as the primary surface design or as an accent frame.

4. Exciting Features

Regardless of the size of your kitchen, clutter can be a problem. If you’ve replaced some of your cabinets with open shelves, you might have less space for appliances. Designers have developed ways to solve this problem. Extra deep drawers can be added by a contractor to maximize space, reduce clutter, and allow for more storage.

If space is still limited, kitchen islands are being redesigned to include drawers, shelves, and cabinets. Since the kitchen is a social area, some islands also have built-in device outlets and seating.  

Whether used for homework or entertainment, the kitchen is a central room in your home. Adding modern technology to it provides excitement and convenience. Use your cabinets to house devices and charging stations. If you’re following instructions or marathoning a Netflix show while cooking, keep a device holder in a cabinet. It’ll keep your phone or tablet screen nearby and at eye-level. If you’re hosting a party, place speakers in cabinets to play music throughout the room.  

Under cabinet lighting can be used for both functionality and mood. Fluorescent and LED lights are the most energy efficient. However, LEDs offer more lighting options, including bars, strips, and pucks. They can also draw the eye to special display items, like heirloom dishware or ornate backsplashes.  

 

If you’re interested in upgrading your kitchen cabinets, reach out to Castle Painting and Remodeling. Our licensed contractors have more than 20 years of experience in kitchen remodeling, and we’re always up to date on the latest trends. We pride ourselves on our craft, using only high-quality products and materials. Our contractors are dedicated to your satisfaction. We arrive early, treat your home with the utmost respect, and offer 24/7 customer service. If you’re in Atlanta, GA, schedule a free estimate by calling (404) 236-8948. For a complete list of our residential and commercial services, visit our website.