The start of a new year always means a flood of all things new. New cars, new clothes, and in my line of work, a new round of speculation about how design trends will change from last year…and which ones will stick around. Because although you might not mind updating your wardrobe for the season or trading out your car lease for an updated model, remodeling your kitchen isn’t something you want to do on a whim. Replacing your kitchen cabinets can be a particularly stressful choice; it’s something you really don’t want to be doing again a few years down the line. So, here are the top kitchen cabinet trends for 2020 – and my take on which ones are here to stay!
Keep Your Kitchen Cabinets Shaker Simple…Or Even Simpler
Trends in kitchen cabinet styles are one of the easiest to see. Over the last decade, kitchen cabinets have been getting steadily more modern, with decorative molding and millwork gradually disappearing. Shaker style cabinets are still a far-and-away favorite (and likely will stay that way) because they’re affordable and easy to dress up or down. But flat slab cabinets are making steady gains for their minimalist, streamlined modern appearance. Touch-open slab cabinets are a particular favorite this year!
Leave White Kitchen Cabinets Behind
Almost everyone (including me!) has been saying that white kitchens are on their way out for most of 2019. But according to the Houzz 2020 kitchen survey, they’re far from extinct. So if you’re glad to hear of their (supposed) demise: look for light, warm-toned woods like ash that will add warmth to your space but that aren’t dark enough to give you golden oak flashbacks. Painted cabinets in blue, black, gray, or green have also skyrocketed in popularity.
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…Or At Least Dress Them Up
If you still have a place in your heart for white cabinets, don’t get rid of them entirely. Instead, spice them up by incorporating a few other trends. Small accents – like warm metal or dark hardware, a fresh coat of paint on the walls, or a new backsplash – are simple ways to add color to a white kitchen. For a bigger project, try shifting from all-white cabinets to double cabinets. In other words, opt for white cabinets on top and a color on the bottom, or consider repainting your island. Having some cabinets in a different color can help breaking up an all-white design without losing that bright, clean feeling. Last but not least, any amount of wood surfaces you add – from flooring to beams to furniture – will help make your space feel warm and inviting rather than washed out and sterile.
Mix And Match Open Shelf, Glass Fronted, And Traditional Cabinet Storage
Open shelf cabinets and custom-designed cabinetry are two trends that have been floating around for a while. In 2020, they’re really starting to come together in an interesting and meaningful way. Rather than trying to keep all your snacks and frequently used dishes out on open shelves (which was a major problem with this trend when it first started showing up), open shelves have become a way to make your kitchen feel a little homier and more spacious, displaying small decor items, vintage kitchenware or even just your family’s favorite mugs.
Bigger Pantries, Better Cabinet Organizers
To compensate for the lost storage up top, homeowners are making changes to the cabinets they’re keeping. One big one this year is the trend toward building large pantries and larders. Being able to keep all your food items in one large, central location means you won’t clog up your other cabinets with spare groceries. Secondly, many homeowners are upgrading their lower cabinets and islands with customized organizers and specialized storage. From drawers for dishware to pull-out spice racks, these cabinet organizers help you make better use of the space inside your lower cabinets and kitchen island. Full-extension drawers not only save space, but make kitchenware and foodstuffs more accessible than a full set of cabinet boxes.
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Don’t Forget – New Kitchen Cabinets Need New Counter Tops!
All that said, choosing the style, color, and arrangement of your cabinet boxes is only half the battle. You also need to pick your countertops. What constitutes the “best” countertop has always been a design battlefield. There are a lot of options out there, and with evolving technologies, the target is always moving. That said, the numbers show quartz countertops pulling ahead of longtime-frontrunner granite. Which makes a good amount of sense: engineered quartz is just as durable as granite, but requires less maintenance. In the last few years, better tech has also made it possible to get quartz countertops that look more stone-like. That means you can get the best of both worlds (or just about any look or color you like).
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If you’re planning a major kitchen renovation in 2020, your first decision should be about your cabinets. Whether you’re keeping them as-is, resurface, replace, or some combination of the three will have a major impact on the final look (and budget!) for your upcoming project.
