
Replacing your entire kitchen is a big commitment. So, you’ll want to make sure your cabinets look great for years to come.
Whether you love an earthy aesthetic or prefer bursts of color, there are plenty of cabinet paint trends to choose from this year. Read on to discover some of our favorite hues and stunning finishes that amplify them. Contact Modesto Cabinet Painters for more details.
Fantasia Blue
One of the most popular cabinet colors, blue shades can range from pale pastels to bold navy. The latter can be a dramatic choice that instantly elevates your kitchen, says Nasir, especially when paired with warm white accents or natural wood elements. If you’re nervous about making such a big color statement, consider painting just the island to act as a focal point.
Earthy greens are another cabinet trend to try. This year’s hues are more muted than past seasons, bringing organic calm into your kitchen and serving as a natural backdrop for other design elements.
For a more vibrant option, look no further than stormy blues like Sherwin Williams’ Rain Cloud or Benjamin Moore’s Blue Danube. These deep ocean tones evoke the sense of connection we feel with nature, notes Sherwin Williams’ 2023 ColorMix, and can help a kitchen feel like a true part of its surroundings.
Medium tones are also popping up in kitchens. These rich browns and tans have a warmth that helps balance other kitchen trends, such as the softer neutrals and earthy blues we see above. They also hide smudges, fingerprints and other everyday debris better than lighter tones, which makes them ideal for busy homes. For a clean, sleek appearance, pair these shades with brushed nickel or chrome hardware.
Dusty Lavender
Purple is a fun color that works well for kitchens. From dusty lavender to rich lilac and deep aubergine, these hues play nicely with wood, stone, brass, and more. Lighter shades add a soft, feminine touch, while darker tones feel luxurious and evocative. Whether you opt for full purple kitchen cabinets or a pop of color on the island, these shades create an airy aesthetic that complements white countertops and wood flooring.
A connection to nature inspires many of this year’s shade of the year selections. Sherwin Williams’s Rain Cloud, for example, suggests a connection to the natural ocean landscape and is an appealing alternative to neutral shades that can feel cold. Greens also echo nature, with a range of tones from tranquil moss greens to muted cyans and whispery mint.
Darker hues like Sherwin Williams’ Garden Gate have a bluish tint that pairs nicely with cooler tones. Meanwhile, Plain & Fancy’s Tamarind offers a rich chocolate stain that can stand alone as an accent or pair with wood and stone elements. Dark wood stains also play well with the natural blues and greens that are popular this year. Ultimately, however, it’s important to remember that trends can provide guidance, but your personal preference is what will truly make your kitchen a home.
Cherry Taupe
When done right, earthy shades can bring a modern kitchen into its own. With warm and earthy accents, natural wood grains, and a touch of white, these colors work with a variety of different styles of cabinetry. From Sherwin Williams’ Arboreal to Valspar’s Desert Sand, this trend is a great way to balance your cabinets without feeling too overdone or dated.
While all-white aesthetics may be getting some flak, Hackett says she’s still seeing a shift towards creamier shades like Wimborne White. She also thinks the trend for lighter greens like Sherwin William’s Arboreal is on the rise. This shade offers a soothing, refreshing look that pairs well with light hardwoods and stone.
For a bolder option, Nasir notes that she’s seeing deep reds and burgundies re-enter the design sphere again. “As dramatic as these colors can be, they’re sophisticated and add a sense of elegance to any room,” she explains.
To maintain a polished appearance, she recommends pairing them with metallic finishes and layered lighting. Oil-rubbed bronze looks stunning with Denim Blue and Silas cabinetry, while brushed nickel highlights warmer neutrals like Ash Gray or Saddle.
Arizona Dust
Amid a sea of blues and earthy browns, Sherwin Williams reports that mid-tone greens are also making waves in the kitchen. Inspired by nature, these greens offer a connection to the outdoors without feeling too tropical or overbearing. They’re perfect for homeowners who want to add a fresh, organic element to their kitchen design.
White is still popular for cabinets, but 2024 features a softer, more muted take on the classic hue. These neutral shades are more versatile than ever, blending beautifully with natural wood tones and complementing copper and wrought iron accents. They’re ideal for high-traffic spaces that require a durable finish that will stand up to wear and tear.
For stained cabinetry, tung oil and Danish oil are popular options that provide water resistance and a natural appearance. These finishes penetrate the wood rather than sitting on top of it, allowing you to easily repair damage or refresh the color without the need for extensive refinishing. Nitrocellulose lacquer is another option that offers exceptional durability and can be polished to a range of sheen levels. However, it requires professional application since it needs to cure in climate-controlled conditions. It’s also more expensive than other options but can be worth the investment in high-end installations.
Wandering Vine
Cabinets are the center of any kitchen design, and the color choice you make sets the tone for the rest of your space. With so many options available, you have the opportunity to create a kitchen that feels fresh and inviting. From light neutral shades to deep earthy tones, these trends are sure to bring your dream kitchen to life.
Millennial gray cabinets are definitely a thing of the past, and while they may look trendy in photos, the color can feel too cold and uninspiring in person. To keep your kitchen feeling modern, consider a warmer white shade like Dove or Cascade. Alternatively, a rich cream like Sherwin Williams’ Garden Gate can offer a more balanced warm and cool effect and complements a wide range of natural tones and styles.
If you prefer a bolder cabinet color, dark reds and burgundies are a rising trend in kitchens across Tuscaloosa. Although these shades may seem dramatic, they can be sophisticated when paired with the right accents. Choose a subtle glaze or stain such as Sherwin Williams’ Tudor to elevate a bolder wood style, while stains like Desert Sage and Cocoa pair well with lighter paint finishes and natural wood countertops. When it comes to choosing hardware, neutral shades like Denim Blue or Silas look beautiful with oil-rubbed bronze and warm tones like Tamarind pop with brushed brass.
Terra Green
Replacing cabinetry every few years is a big investment, but you can refresh your kitchen without breaking the bank by changing up the color and finish. Trends may inspire you to try a new shade, but it’s important to consider how that shade will coordinate with your flooring, countertop, and lighting. The best cabinet paints and stains for modern kitchens provide versatility, hiding scuffs and fingerprints with ease while adding a splash of personality.
Earthy shades like terra green enliven the space, blending nicely with other natural colors and textures. It is also a great option for creating a neutral backdrop to showcase decorative elements and hardware. The mossy hue pairs well with wood tones such as walnut or hickory.
Whites continue to remain a popular choice for kitchen cabinets, particularly warmer options such as Dove White and Cascade White. These rich, buttery tones add a touch of warmth and texture while complementing a wide range of wood finishes and metal accents. Homeowners are also exploring two-tone cabinetry, combining white with medium wood tones for a warm and inviting look. Mixing finishes and materials is another popular design element that we expect to see more of in 2023. According to House Beautiful, this may include pairing wood cabinet towers with painted lower cabinets or introducing a darker stain for an island that sits on top of a natural-looking quartz surface.
Daydream
The earthy shades we’ve already explored continue to hold a strong presence in kitchen color trends for 2023. While deep azure and forest green remain popular, Houzz reports that there’s also been a rise in lighter, minty shades such as Wandering Vine. These tones provide a fresh, revitalizing alternative to traditional white and work well with many of the overarching natural design trends that we’re seeing across homes today.
In addition to capturing the beauty of nature, some of these trending cabinet paint colors and finishes are also practical for homeowners who want a low-maintenance aesthetic. Lighter tones like Soft White and White Sand help small kitchens feel more open and bright, while darker hues such as Dragon’s Breath and Braun hide fingerprints and scuffs more easily than some other shades.
Regardless of what shade you choose, the key to creating a stunning kitchen is pairing it with a finish that complements your other hardware and design elements. For example, dark stains like Denim Blue pair well with oil-rubbed bronze hardware while warm shades such as Muskoka Trail pop against brushed nickel or brass. To find the perfect combination for your home, contact our team to schedule a time to meet with one of our designers in person.
