Kitchen cabinet trends
Kitchen cabinets have become anything but boring, and there are so many cool options that allow you to adapt your kitchen to suit your needs! We talked to our friends at Village Handcrafted Cabinetry to get their take on the best kitchen cabinet trends.
Kitchen cabinet selection 101
We spoke with Lauren Searle, a designer and project manager at Village, whose number one piece of advice is to “choose classic bones and incorporate trends through accents – backsplash, hardware, countertops – so that your cabinetry never feels dated or stale.” Another trend that is becoming more of a staple is the transition of the kitchen island. Before, islands were a designated prep spot, maybe with a sink, but without much versatility or function beyond that. Lauren notes that islands are turning into tabletops, offering another option for an eat-in kitchen. As interior designers, we work with each client to really optimize the island and use as much space as possible, while tailoring it to their lifestyle. For instance, we collaborated on a kitchen for a couple who loves to entertain. Their island has space on one side for seating, while the opposite side features a warming drawer for appetizers and side dishes. This allows them to chat with guests while cooking and use the island as a buffet and bar. Some clients opt to add drawers or shallow cabinets for lesser used items like specialty glassware, serving pieces, and party essentials.
Lauren recommends really thinking about niche specialty storage before making it a must-have in your design. She says, “Find niche elements and make sure they work in practice.” The idea of a drawer under the sink for trash and recycling is fantastic in theory. However, you have to account for the other elements of a design, like plumbing. This is where working with an experienced interior designer is invaluable. Because we’ve figured out ways to incorporate these wants and needs in other designs, we’re equipped to design the solution for you!
What’s on trend for 2019 and beyond?
Of course, we had to ask Lauren what trends to look for in kitchen cabinetry. She noted that more and more, clients are mixing things up to add dimension and interest. For example, painted base and wall cabinets in two different colors (white and gray are big winners). Some opt to paint the cabinets and add stained open shelving, like we did in our new office kitchen.
Speaking of paint colors, white will always, always be on trend. It’s a classic that works from traditional to modern kitchens with its freshness. If you want to experiment with color, green and blue are very popular, especially deep jewel tones. Emerald, indigo, and navy can pop against white tile or create a moody vibe with dark walls. Cooler tones have seen a resurgence as well, such as soft grays and blues.
Another trend that’s really grown in popularity is custom paneled appliances. There’s a beautiful, seamless look when the fronts of your dishwasher and refrigerator match the rest of your cabinetry. (Can you spot the appliances in this shot?)
The bottom line of custom cabinetry
The number one piece of advice that Lauren has for clients? Trust the professionals – they want you to love your kitchen, so they carefully balance listening to you and offering guidance in making practical choices. As she put it, “if you’re undecided, trust the pros to take the reins. That’s what we’re here for!”
Header image: Villanova kitchen designed by Glenna Stone Interior Design; Photo by Paul S. Bartholomew
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!