2021 kitchen cabinetry trends are showing a new interest in both contemporary design and a return to nature. In our blog on 2021 kitchen design trends, we looked at how so many preferences have emerged and grown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, these trends can be a wonderful source of inspiration and help you create a space that meets your evolving needs. Before we look at some 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends, here’s a list of kitchen design choices we expect to see more of this year:
● Open layouts
To create a single shared space, barriers such as walls and doors are eliminated and distinct functional areas are integrated into a single shared space.
● Large islands
Islands can provide seating and storage, making them very appealing to homeowners looking for flexibility. Some clients are even opting for a second island.
● Smart appliances
Device charging, entertainment, and emergency power for essential appliances such as fridges are going to become more important in 2021.
● Organic, natural textures and tones
2021 kitchen design trends tell us that we can expect to see more stone, marble, natural wood, and earth tones. Incorporating more organic materials and textures into interiors helps people de-stress and connect with nature.
● Mixing cabinetry color and finish
Popular choices will be painted and wood grain, with a different color on the island. We saw this last year as well with the kitchen design trends for 2020.
● Clean kitchen styles
Research by NKBA shows that the top kitchen styles are likely to be contemporary, transitional, organic/natural, and minimalistic. This suggests that, on the whole, cleaner looks will be preferred to more ornate traditional styles.
● Modern-style countertops
In line with the kitchen styles that are becoming more popular, kitchen countertops will also take on a modern aesthetic. Solid surface countertops that are homogenous are an excellent choice for a clean look.
● Sinks with smart features
Smart faucets and innovative sinks are going to be important 2021 kitchen design trends as people upgrade to more professional functions.
● Flooring is hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, or tile
Some popular choices this year will be hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, and tile (ceramic or porcelain).
● Under-cabinet lighting and flexible lighting controls
Flexible and passive lighting controls are anticipated to be more popular than traditional switches. Under-cabinet lighting is expected to be prominent as part of a sleek, contemporary look.
● Large windows and French doors
This helps bring in more natural light. When designed well, they create a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors as well as a sense of openness.
● Integrated entertainment or outdoor kitchens
Building on the desire for more open space, indoor-outdoor kitchens and living areas are growing in popularity. We can also expect people to spend on premium lighting, fireplaces, comfortable furniture, and outdoor cooking appliances.
To dive deeper into this and get more specific, it’s great to look at kitchen cabinetry trends, which both inform and respond to overall kitchen design trends.
As homeowners integrate kitchen, living room, and office spaces, cabinetry preferences are changing. There are many factors to consider, such as:
● Creating consistent design, aesthetic, and color schemes through kitchen and living spaces.
● Keeping the kitchen well-organized so it’s easy to tidy.
● Maximizing storage efficiency and space
● Making everything easy-to-use for all family members who may be spending more time at home now.
At Bath Plus Kitchen, we work with cabinet manufacturers at the top of their game, who are known for their style expertise and consistent quality. View our portfolio to learn about the work we’ve done with their gorgeous cabinetry.
These manufacturers are on top of (and, often, ahead of) the trends, so we believe that when it comes to 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends, they can offer incredible ideas and inspiration. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, keep reading to find what top trends these cabinetry design experts are catering to now!
2021 kitchen cabinetry trends – 10 trends to look out for now
- Slab doors
For Plain & Fancy, a top-rated cabinet manufacturer we work with, vintage cabinetry was the top-selling style. In 2020, those dropped to 5%. Instead, their customers are choosing slab doors, like the ones in the picture above. Here, you can see white acrylic cabinetry in full overlay, creating a very clean and bright look. On the base and wall cabinetry are slab doors that enhance this clean, contemporary aesthetic. For warmth and contrast, the designers chose flat panel doors in walnut with a natural finish for the island and accent wall. This is a great way to add character and uniqueness to your new kitchen while still maintaining sleekness.
- White and custom color finishes
White and off-white finishes have been popular for a while, and Plain & Fancy expects them to remain favorites. Of these, their Cascade White finish has been the biggest winner. One door style in a white finish that has been doing well is their Vogue door style.
Plain & Fancy also believes custom color will continue to be a popular option. They are committed to helping their customers “dream in color” and choose from their extensive gallery of colors or even create their own shade. We highly recommend testing out their Custom Color Picker to find shades you love (which you can then add to your ‘Saved Favorites’). Here’s a snapshot of what it looks like:
Custom Color Picker by Plain & Fancy.
We love it when our customers come to us with an exciting color option and an openness to explore interesting palettes. Our designers enjoy hearing about your personal preferences so they can dive deeper into customization and help you create something fabulous. That said, sometimes it helps to get a little inspiration from the color trends of the year. Plain & Fancy’s Shane Achey notes that what’s in style can differ depending on whom you ask. He shares what color experts at Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, and Farrow & Ball have chosen, summarized below.
‘Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors in 2021’ shared by top color authorities
● Sherwin-Williams: Urbane Bronze
A lot of us are drawn to more calming tones now, making grey neutrals a popular choice. The Sherwin-Williams color marketing director explains that color such as Urbane Bronze makes it easier to establish the home as a personal haven during times of uncertainty. It’s also safe to bet that this color won’t go out of style anytime soon.
Tip from Plain & Fancy: Layer with complementary tones, including not only beige paints but also, white oak or ash cabinets. Copper and wrought iron details can instantly add a hint of sophistication to any space decked out with this neutral hue.
● Valspar: 12 muted hues
These colors include shades of blue, grey, and cream, with something for everyone in this modern collection. Giving each color its own webpage, Valspar offers an in-depth exploration of every hue, including a quote from an expert, why it’s trending, how to style it, and a ‘how it feels’ video with a sound bath.
Farrow & Ball have also chosen multiple colors for 2021. These shades tend to be earthy, along with a few rich colors. They have divided these into four categories – Rich and Warm, Clean and Timeless Blues, Earth Colors, and Natural Greens. Here’s a look at their ‘Rich and Warm’ set:
We hope these trending colors serve as an inspiration and help you discover new design possibilities, especially for your kitchen cabinets.
- White oak
This year, we expect white oak to remain a hot seller. Plain & Fancy notes that from top-grade cuts to the rustics that were once considered low grade are all varieties of white oak will stay in demand. They predicted this popularity a few years ago, introducing 14 beautiful white oak finishes in 2018:
How do you know if it’s the right option for you? Plain & Fancy Purchasing Manager Rick Yohn says, “it is a great look for those customers that appreciate the natural beauty of wood. Six of our new finishes (Silver Shore, Driftscape, Weathered Shore, Narvik, Montane, and Lynx) are very transparent finishes and will not hide color variation. Again, great for those who love that wood look.”
They offer an exciting option for contemporary kitchen designers – reconstituted rift white oak – in the two-door styles shown below, Allegro (L) and Chicago (R).
- Frameless cabinetry
While designing their dream kitchens with us, many of our clients are drawn to Bellmont’s Euro-style, built-to-order frameless cabinets. They’re certainly not alone in choosing this contemporary style over traditional framed cabinetry.
Framed cabinetry – In this cabinetry style, the door hinges are attached directly to the frame, which strength and sturdiness. Rails and stiles are used to create a face frame, similar to a picture frame. One of the great things about frameless cabinetry is that they offer flexibility with adjustable shelves and the option to use many different doors. They work well with a more traditional style.
Frameless cabinetry – Instead of securing door hinges onto a frame as you would with framed cabinetry, they are secured directly to the inside of the box. That way, all you see after installation is the flat door and drawer fronts. This creates a sleek, simple aesthetic that works well with a more contemporary style. The two main reasons homeowners today are choosing frameless cabinetry are:
● A cleaner look
● Better accessibility and space.
As Bellmont explains it, “the full-overlay, flush-fitting doors, and drawers offer unobstructed interior access, giving you more storage space and organizing options than traditional face frame cabinets.”
Bath Plus Kitchen’s Eric Shipe demonstrates the differences between framed and frameless cabinetry below.
- Wall-to-wall cabinetry and made-to-measure kitchen designBecause of the growing preference for open layouts and more integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, kitchens need to be easy to clean and reorganize.
Wall-to-wall cabinetry makes it easier to keep your kitchen looking neat. It gives you freedom from worrying about keeping open shelves tidy. On a busy day, you can still pack everything away into your spacious kitchen cabinets and have your kitchen looking clutter-free.
- Sleek integrated finger-pulls
Another way to allow the beautiful cabinetry faces to shine unobstructed is integrated finger-pulls, offered by top manufacturers such as Dura Supreme. They offer two sleek and sophisticated Integrated Pulls, now available with both Crestwood and Bria Cabinetry. These built-in hardware options are perfect for contemporary and transitional designs and are available with a beautiful, brushed Aluminum finish.
- Walk-in pantry
Walk-in pantries are great especially if you love to cook and/or have a large family. For starters, they offer more storage space with floor-ceiling cubbies, shelves, and drawers. The generous space means things are easier to organize which in turn means they are easier to access and use. All of this can make cooking more appealing and can even minimize food wastage when ingredients get used instead of lying forgotten in the back of a cabinet or drawer. When planned well, your walk-in pantry can accommodate certain appliances that don’t have a permanent spot on your kitchen counters such as a juicer or slow cooker.
If this item on our list of 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends sounds good to you, you’ll love the NEW Pass-Through Tall Cabinet from Dura Supreme, designed for creating a seamless walk-in pantry.
Dura Supreme’s New Larder Cabinetry is another great option to consider, pictured below:
These cabinets are highly functional and are designed with a number of internal storage features that will help you keep most countertop clutter items and small appliances behind beautiful cabinet doors. They offer specialized internal options such as:
● Storage Center
● Beverage Center
● Baking Center
● Optional organizational features such as apothecary drawers and a flat Roll-Out Shelf
Looking at these 2021 kitchen cabinetry trends tells us that homeowners today want to create contemporary spaces that prioritize comfort and ease. Clean looks and even cleaner design will make your kitchen efficient, organized, and a joy to spend time in!
Ready to discuss your new kitchen cabinetry with our design experts? Get in touch with us here.
