NAC Cabinets

Top 8 Cabinet Design Trends

Apr 23, 2024

Embarking on a kitchen renovation journey can be both thrilling and daunting, especially when it comes to choosing cabinets. In today's fast-paced design landscape, staying on top of the latest trends while balancing functionality and budget can pose a challenge.

From weighing aesthetics with practicality to navigating a sea of options, homeowners are tasked with making decisions that will impact the heart of their homes for years to come. Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of kitchen cabinet design, exploring the trends shaping modern kitchens and how they can help or hinder your vision for your kitchen.

1. The Minimalist Route

Minimalist kitchen cabinet design offers clean lines, understated elegance, and the illusion of spaciousness in any kitchen. These cabinets promote a clutter-free environment, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space. With their simple yet sophisticated design, minimalist cabinets serve as a versatile canvas, allowing homeowners to experiment with different textures, materials, and finishes.

However, minimalist cabinet design also presents challenges. Limited storage capacity is a potential drawback, as these cabinets often prioritize aesthetics over functionality. Homeowners may struggle to accommodate bulky kitchen essentials or lack adequate storage solutions for cookware and utensils.

2. The Maximalist Route

The antithesis to minimalism, maximalist cabinet design celebrates boldness, creativity, and self-expression in the kitchen. These cabinets offer ample opportunities for showcasing personality and creating a visually stunning space. With intricate details, vibrant colors, and ornate hardware, maximalist cabinets make a bold statement and serve as the focal point of the room. Additionally, maximalist design may allow for generous storage options, accommodating a wide range of kitchen essentials and accessories without sacrificing style. A little clutter never hurts a maximalist!

Maximalist cabinet design, however, presents its own set of challenges. The abundance of details and embellishments may overwhelm some homeowners, leading to a chaotic space. Finding the right balance between boldness and harmony can be tricky, and many mere homeowners struggle to walk the line before ultimately deciding to abandon maximalist style for something else.

3. Go Old School

Retro or old-school cabinet design brings a nostalgic charm and timeless appeal to the kitchen. These kitchen cabinet doors often feature classic styles, such as raised-panel doors, intricate detailing, and vintage hardware, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the farmhouse kitchen of the past. One of the key advantages of retro cabinets is their ability to infuse character and warmth into the space, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere — a welcome change from the millennial white kitchens that have dominated for the last 10 years or so.

While they infuse character and warmth, older cabinets may lack modern functionality and storage efficiency. Retrofitting them can be costly and time-consuming. Homeowners should balance aesthetic appeal with practical considerations for their kitchen space.

4. Lighten Up Your Kitchen Cabinets

Many homeowners install lighting under their overhanging kitchen cabinets to enhance kitchen visibility and functionality. This popular choice illuminates countertops, reducing shadows and providing ample light for cooking and tasks.

While under-cabinet lighting used to be available as a custom, pricey add-on, after-market options today are highly available and far less expensive, allowing homeowners of varying budgets to enjoy the benefits.

5. The All-Natural Look

Natural wood cabinets bring timeless warmth and character to any kitchen, with rich tones and distinct grain patterns adding depth and charm. They offer versatility in design, easily adapting to various styles from rustic farmhouse to modern minimalist, catering to homeowners' preferences for personalized aesthetics.

Furthermore, natural wood kitchen cabinet doors boast durability and longevity, as they can be sanded and refinished to maintain their beauty over time, making them a sustainable and cost-effective choice for long-term homeownership.

6. Glass Cabinets

Glass kitchen cabinet doors add elegance and functionality to kitchens, creating an open, airy feel that makes the space appear larger. They showcase dishes and decorative items, adding visual interest and personalization to the room while keeping essentials easily accessible. With options like clear, frosted, or textured glass, homeowners can tailor the cabinets to their design preferences.

That being said, glass kitchen cabinet doors require regular cleaning to maintain visibility and may not suit those who prefer concealed storage. Careful organization is necessary to ensure an aesthetically pleasing display, and privacy concerns may arise due to the contents being fully visible.

7. Kitchen Island Cabinets

Cabinets in kitchen islands offer valuable storage solutions while maximizing functionality and aesthetics in the heart of the kitchen. These cabinets provide convenient access to cookware, utensils, and pantry items, enhancing efficiency during meal preparation and cooking.

Incorporating cabinets into kitchen islands helps streamline the layout, keeping essential items within arm's reach and minimizing clutter on countertops, promoting a clean and organized space.

In addition, cabinets in kitchen islands offer design versatility, allowing homeowners to customize the island to suit their style and storage needs. Whether opting for sleek modern kitchen cabinets or traditional raised-panel designs, the island becomes a focal point of the kitchen, seamlessly blending practicality with visual appeal.

8. Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Choosing between bold or muted colors for kitchen cabinets significantly impacts the overall aesthetic and ambiance. Bold colors inject personality and vibrancy, making a statement with shades like deep navy blues or rich emerald greens. These hues create dynamic spaces, reflecting the homeowner's unique style and adding visual interest.

Conversely, muted kitchen cabinet colors offer a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic. Soft neutrals like creamy whites or warm grays provide a serene backdrop that complements various design styles. Muted kitchen cabinets are versatile and adaptable, allowing homeowners to experiment with textures and accents for added depth.

Make Your Vision a Reality with Wellborn Cabinets

Wellborn Cabinet is a made-in-America manufacturer specializing in high-quality kitchen and bath cabinetry. They offer a breathtaking array of cabinet styles, finishes, and customization options to suit various design preferences and budgets. Wellborn's comprehensive product line, combined with their emphasis on quality and sustainability, establishes them as a trusted provider of cabinetry for home designers.

Thanks to their partnership with our team at Talbert Building Supply, Wellborn Cabinets are easy to get your hands on in short order. With over four decades of business experience, Talbert Building Supply stands as a premier provider of wood products catering to a wide array of construction needs.

Specializing in supplying materials for various construction projects, our experts at Talbert offer top-quality products and excellent customer service. By partnering with Wellborn, we ensure customers have access to premium cabinetry solutions designed to elevate homes with style and functionality.


With our reputation for excellence and our commitment to delivering top-tier products like Wellborn Cabinet, we emerge as the preferred choice for homeowners and builders seeking quality wood products and cabinetry solutions for their construction endeavors. For more information on cabinetry, reach out to our specialists today!