Home Decor
The Kitchen Cabinet Trends of 2020, According to Our Favorite Designers
This year is all about personal expression—and you (yes, you) get to pick.
On its best day, social media is a great tool for homeowners like me. It helps me gather inspiration, hone in on what styles I’m drawn to and introduces me to new products. On its worst day, however, its influence creates a sea of sameness. These last couple of years, for example, everyone’s Pinterest and Instagram feeds were full of farmhouse style, vintage vibes and mixed metals, and pretty soon so were our homes.
In 2020, it seems this “follow the leader” style of design is headed out the door. We asked some of our favorite designers and decorators to weigh in on what they think is going to be this year’s biggest kitchen cabinetry trend, and interestingly enough, not a single one had the same prediction. From rich and moody to DIY-happy, it seems we are heading into a year that’s all about expressing yourself. Here is what they think:
“In reaction to all the dark grey kitchens we have been seeing so much of in the last few years I think we will start to see more colorful cabinets in kitchens...subtle pastel hues paired with white and brass would make for a very modern and glamorous kitchen!” —Benjamin Brougham, Director of Interiors for Jonathan Adler
“For 2020, I am all about black cabinets. I love the drama they add to kitchen spaces. Paired with brass accents and natural materials like marbles, they really do make such a gorgeous statement.” – Alykhan Velji, Designer
“I think that plaster is having a real moment! I predict that this year we will be seeing it more and more in kitchen design as I think it has appeal in many different styles (from modern to minimal and rustic). As for colors, I expect to see a lot of earth tones (think taupe, terracotta, deep browns and ochre yellows), but ultimately, I think we are entering a moment where custom is the new luxury, so anything goes!” —Justina Blakeney, Designer and Artist
![“In the kitchen area in our [guest house] (image above) we constructed cabinets from cement to get the plaster look and then used reclaimed wood for the cabinet doors.”](https://images.food52.com/2EEIDhUswyobZlemqxrqQMKglps=/750x486/99ec0adc-bfe1-4d3e-adb5-ff6c44637b46--PlasterCabinets_Justina.jpg)
“My favorite cabinet color trends are all of the gorgeous beige and taupe colors that are popping up in kitchens.” —Maegan Blau, Interior Designer
“We're seeing many people opting for [mushroom] over white cabinetry, and we don't blame them. It's a warm neutral that still feels light and airy but adds some contrast to popular finishes like marble and subway tile.” —Catherine and Bryan Williamson, Interior Designers
“We are seeing a change in trend from all-white kitchens to much more natural wood tones. Taking advantage of knots and texture gives a modern look to more cabin-like materials." —Austin Carrier and Alex Mutter-Rottmayer, Interior Designers
“Neutral colors like whites and ivories, oysters, and creams are going to continue to be big kitchen trends in 2020. My personal favorite cabinet look is a simple white oak front paired with white tiles and natural marbles. Finish off the look with brass or black metallic accents. It's an elegant look that you won't get tired of.” —Justin DiPiero, Interior Designer
"I think we'll keep seeing more saturated cabinet colors (like deep terracotta & cerulean blue) paired with more modern cabinet designs, less decorative molding and [simpler], flat-front shapes with all-over textural accents like slats & ribs." —Susie Brown, Decorator
Written by: Garrett Fleming
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29 Comments
I am all for a calming and moody look! This sounds great. In my opinion, I would skip the shiplap. Nearly every article I’ve read about trends that are headed out has shiplap at the top. Would you consider beadboard instead? It’s way more timeless and will give you a similar look.
If you need any good gray or black paint recommendations, let me know! We just painted our doors and trim black and a bedroom gray.
-Garrett
That is what is wrong with so many "designer" projects - they go for looks and not day-to-day practicality. Open shelves - good look but a whole lifetime of cleaning; why were doors made?
Any kind of stone on a breakfast bar means your food is cold moments after you set a plate on it. Stone is cold and it doesn't get warm. Stone also stains and needs monthly waxing and polishing - a a good choice where food is likely to be spilled. Designers have inundated us on using stone counter tops; anything else is outdated. But, they never tell you how much trouble it is to keep and never talk about everything breaking if it hits with any force at all. Another pretty, but not really functional look fostered by designers.
The most satisfying kitchens I've lived with had neutral colors that allowed me to add splashes of color with accessories which I could change by season if I wanted. I wasn't locked into blue, red, or black; and, the color splashes were lively and eye-pleasing. So much easier to change accessories than repaint or reappliance a kitchen.
I also like butcher block tops. They are soft on dishes and glassware breakage, and require only a coating of mineral oil once a month or so to keep them looking and functioning well. They are not cold so food stays warm and they have a nice look. I read once that a woman created her own wood tops by buying 1 X 12" lumber and having it grooved on the sides to fit together. She cut it to correct lengths and glued it together - the picture that accompanied the article showed it very attractive.
Yeah, formica is a really hard sell.
I loveeee the look of butcher block, but I’m surprised you are able to maintain it easily. It’s notoriously difficult. Glad it’s working out for ya though! That’s great!
-Garrett
Trends come and go and designers lead the way. These days, any one purchasing a home or renovating a kitchen, must have stainless steel appliances and quartz, granite or natural stone counters. Then, they soon hire a housekeeper (btw, that's what I do for a living) because they can't keep up the perfect appearance. You and I were raised in kitchens with turquoise stovetops, Formica counters and ruffled curtains, and the designers of our day influenced our decisions to have those things. Most kitchens are a combination of what styles are popular and what items are easily obtainable along with each person's own flair, their personal style. Us seniors may have antiquated styles and practical ideas of what a kitchen should be, but we still share the same love of food that every generation after us does. That's what brings us all together on Food52.
Also, as a housekeeper, I can tell you that the easiest counter surface to keep clean and is also very durable is Corian.
My current kitchen (though smallish) has a food pantry and a dish pantry. My every day dishes are in the cupboards but the dish pantry holds the several sets of good china plus all the serving platters and bowls. These two pantries are floor to ceiling without a break for a counter top and so they hold a lot of goods. If I have another opportunity to plan a kitchen, I will add an appliance pantry, since we seem to have so many more of these now and they are bulky, so it would be good to get them out of sight and with easy access.
You're right about the love a good food and I have surely enjoyed Food 52 as a resource to get the best recipes and the exchange of good ideas.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/gerton-tabletop-beech-50106773/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmdzzBRC7ARIsANdqRRmt3bM1wQK0GMPuo6udy4WaabwNNYSBxvhEZ2kRQUlkUcK31yCTj2oaAgedEALw_wcB
I totally agree. I’d absolutely say open shelving should be far from the stove. It looks nice though!
-Garrett
This year, we are remodeling a vacation home with smaller kitchen in dove (blue-gray) and brushed steel with copper accents and a fun wallpaper backsplash with greys, coral and lime. Wood flooring throughout. LOVE the NYC black and the Blakeney guest house - awesome colored egret tiles! A little too dramatic for our small vacation kitchen though.
I'm only going to do this once, so I want to get it right. I guess I just don't think of such expensive items as cabinets and countertops as being so influenced by the whims of the colors of the year; at least not for most of us of average means. But I do enjoy looking at photos, whether to influence me, or to NOT influence me for what my choices might be.
I 100% agree. Kitchen renovations are expensive, so maybe adding in some of the elements of these kitchens through accessories could make for a nice update?
Target has a nice, affordable option. It's called the "Ceylon Woven and Wood Barstool."
The Hommeboys sent me the source for the chairs!
https://saffronandpoe.com/collections/all-products/products/woven-leather-strap-bar-counter-stool-with-back
-Garrett
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