The Most Stylish Kitchen Cabinet Color Ideas This Year
Kitchen cabinets can make or break the aesthetic of your cooking space. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to settle on a color scheme that is stylish, functional, and fits your taste. This year, there are several cabinet color trends rising to the top in terms of popularity and flair. From timeless classics like white and black to bold navy blue, the palette of cabinet colors making a statement in 2023 is diverse. Pair your chosen hue with contemporary hardware and sleek finishes to really make your kitchen shine.
Whether you prefer a minimalist, modern look or something warmer and more traditional, there's an inspiring cabinet color for every style.
White Kitchen Cabinets
It's no surprise white kitchen cabinets are still the most sought-after color for kitchen remodels in 2023. The crisp, clean look of white cabinets is a classic that never falls out of favor. There are several reasons why white remains homeowners' top choice when selecting a stylish and functional kitchen cabinet color.
The Undeniable Popularity of White Cabinets
White kitchen cabinets instantly make spaces appear larger and more open due to their light and bright finish. The white color reflects light beautifully, giving off an airy vibe even in smaller kitchens. Darker cabinet colors can sometimes make a space feel closed in and cramped. White cabinets counteract that effect for an expansive look.
Additionally, the versatility of white cabinets is a huge draw. No matter your interior design style - modern, traditional, farmhouse - white cabinetry acts as a timeless canvas that works with any decor theme. You can easily re-style white cabinets with updated hardware or paint colors down the road for a refreshed look.
Styling White Cabinets for a Modern Look
While white kitchen cabinets boast a versatility that suits any style, there are several ways to style white cabinetry to feel fresh, modern and on-trend for 2023.
Consider pairing white cabinets with matte black hardware and fixtures for bold contrast. Brushed brass or chrome hardware also pops beautifully against crisp white. Incorporate modern kitchen lighting like LED undercabinet lighting or sleek, linear fixtures. The goal is to avoid a dated look by combining white cabinets with contemporary accents.
Pair white cabinets with countertops in materials like quartz, marble, or soapstone for ultra-modern appeal. You could also opt for concrete counters or butcher block for an industrial vibe. Just avoid dated laminate.
For the backsplash, think outside the box of basic white subway tile. Interesting tile shapes, unique materials like metal or mirrored glass, and bold colors or patterns will give white cabinets a modern facelift.
The Best Color Combinations with White Cabinets
While white kitchen cabinets suit any color scheme, some shades complement and enhance white cabinetry better than others.
Cool-toned grays are one of the most popular backsplash, wall color, and countertop pairings with white cabinets. Shades like fog gray, rain cloud, or a light gray-blue accent white beautifully. Deep navy pairs surprisingly well for a chic two-tone effect.
Black and white is also a top pairing for two-tone cabinetry or black countertops against white cabinets. Marble counters in a white and gray veining can also elevate a white kitchen. For warmth, natural wood finishes for floors, counters or open shelving balances out all the white.
Espresso Kitchen Cabinets
If you're looking for kitchen cabinets with an upscale, ultra-sophisticated vibe, rich espresso cabinetry delivers. The deep brown color with slight reddish undertones makes a bold statement. While brighter whites open up a space, espresso cabinets create an intimate, elegant feel.
The Sophistication of Espresso Cabinets
Espresso colored cabinets range from warm, milk chocolate hues to an intense, inky black-brown. When accented with metallic hardware and fixtures, the look leans modern. With vintage-inspired details, espresso cabinets take on a more traditional, stately aesthetic.
This versatility, paired with their undeniable good looks, makes espresso cabinets a top choice for luxury kitchen designs. The dark color exudes refinement. Yet unlike stark black cabinets, the brown warmth still invites you in.
Espresso works well as full kitchen cabinetry or as a statement island. The color anchors the space beautifully while providing a rich contrast to lighter counters and backsplashes.
Design Ideas for Espresso Cabinets
Cool, sleek metals like stainless steel, chrome, or nickel pair nicely with espresso cabinets to balance out their warmth. Gold hardware can also amplify the upscale factor. For countertops, espresso cabinets look striking against creamy whites like marble or quartz.
Since espresso leans dark and cozy, backsplashes in natural materials create pleasing contrast. Ideas include wood plank, brick, marble or travertine tile, and concrete. Layered metallics or textured neutrals also complement the cabinets nicely.
Don't overlook lighting options like vintage pendants or industrial fixtures to enhance the ambiance of an espresso kitchen. Lighting casts a gorgeous glow against the rich cabinets.
The Appeal of a Moody, Dramatic Kitchen
For some homeowners, a dark, moody kitchen is the ultimate goal. Deep espresso cabinets deliver on that aesthetic beautifully. The dramatic look instantly creates intrigue and allure.
Pairing espresso cabinets with black accents and metals amplifies the bold impact. Espresso also creates an elegant contrast against soft whites and natural materials like wood, stone, and greenery. This lush yet refined kitchen vibe is right on trend for 2023.
The cozy, intimate feel of espresso cabinetry offers a respite from stark, sterile kitchens. Warm lighting and vintage details keep the drama in check for a livable look. If you crave an oasis-like kitchen with old-world charm, espresso cabinetry brings that vision to life.
Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets
Two-tone kitchen cabinets, often combining black lower cabinets with white uppers, remain a favorite for their stately and timeless look. The contrasting cabinet colors create visual interest while remaining classic.
The Classic Black and White Color Combo
Black and white is a color pairing that never fails. The complementary colors work beautifully together while allowing each hue to stand out. Black grounds and stabilizes while white illuminates and expands.
In kitchens, black lower cabinets anchor the space while white uppers keep things airy. The look is crisp yet warm, vintage yet modern. Beyond classic black and white, navy blue on the bottom with white on top is another stylish combo gaining popularity.
Two-tone cabinetry immediately adds character and style to kitchens. The contrast breaks up all-white or all-wood cabinetry for visual pop. Paired with marble and metallics, the elegant charm of two-tone cabinets shines through.
Tips for Styling Two-Tone Cabinets
To keep two-tone kitchen cabinets looking sharp, pay special attention to the pairs and finishes you choose.
For hardware, opt for metals like unlacquered brass or polished chrome for bold contrast against both cabinet colors. Matte black hardware can also accent two-tone cabinets beautifully.
Since two-tone cabinets make a statement on their own, keep countertops and backsplashes classic. Materials like marble, granite, soapstone or quartz complement without competing. Geometric tile patterns or exposed brick backsplashes add nice texture.
Use lighting strategically to highlight and enhance both the upper and lower cabinets. Undercabinet lighting keeps things streamlined while pendant lights over islands draw the eye up and down.
Gallery of Stylish Two-Tone Kitchens
Seeing two-tone cabinetry within complete kitchen designs better showcases how stunning the look can be. The contrast immediately livens up kitchen spaces for a refined yet playful aesthetic.
Whether traditional or modern, two-tone kitchens have undeniable timeless charm. They bring cohesiveness and balance to ornate spaces while injecting sleek spaces with character.
Gray Kitchen Cabinets
For a look that's both stylish and versatile, gray kitchen cabinets are a top choice in 2023. Gray delivers a subtle moody vibe without feeling as stark as black. Cool-toned grays also complement white elements beautifully.
The Subtle Sophistication of Gray
After the popularity of bold navy blue cabinets, many homeowners are shifting toward softer, lighter grays this year. The shift is likely a reaction to the darker, dramatic cabinet colors dominating the past several years.
Mid-tone grays with hints of blue or green strike the right sophisticated-yet-subtle balance that feels current in 2023. These washed grays provide an elegant and mood-boosting neutral background for any kitchen design style.
Lighter grays also pair seamlessly with white counters and backsplashes without competing. The cool grays beautifully contrast warm wood flooring as well for a cohesive look.
Design Ideas for Gray and White Kitchens
Playing up the dimensions of gray and white kitchen elements takes the combo from basic to brilliant. Consider glass-front upper cabinets to allow light to reflect around the space. Open shelving reveals pops of color from glassware or appliances.
Brass hardware stands out boldly against gray, while chrome or nickel keep things subdued and modern. For the backsplash, standard white subway tile remains a safe yet stylish choice. To make more of a statement, opt for aqua or navy blue tiles to complement the gray.
Gray and white is an easy color scheme to build upon if you want to incorporate natural wood or black accents as well. The neutral grays allow additional colors and textures to shine.
Avoiding a Cold, Sterile Aesthetic with Gray
The lighter grays trending for cabinets this year still carry some risk of appearing too sterile or cold when paired with whites. But there are several ways to inject warmth and personality into a gray and white kitchen.
Wood cutting boards, shelving, floors and butcher block inject organic texture. You can also opt for brass hardware and lighting for a cozy glow against cool grays. Hanging plants, fresh flowers and art add life.
Rattan and wicker barstools alongside wood dining tables offset clinical grays. A vintage rug over wood floors also keeps the space feeling grounded and welcoming.
When designing your dream kitchen, don't overlook the power of cabinet colors to enhance your space. The most stylish, of-the-moment kitchens combine colors like white, two-tone, gray and espresso with eye-catching hardware and modern materials.
By thoughtfully selecting finishes and accents tailored to your chosen cabinet color, you can achieve a kitchen that is both beautiful and uniquely you. Use the latest cabinet color trends as inspiration then apply your own twist.