New Cabinets Depart from Old Trends

by Kelly Richardson
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

As kitchen cabinets swap painted designs for distressed finishes and replace off-whites with earth tones, homeowners are extending the boundaries of what kitchen should like.

A new trend in cabinets has placed homeowners in control of the look of their kitchens. Several styles are being partnered together in the contemporary kitchen to satisfy an array of tastes. It's not uncommon to find traditional maple surrounding the sink area and a contemporary Asian baker's rack accent on the open wall. It's just this kind of devil-may-care attitude with new cabinets that encourages personality in the kitchen.

Changes in Materials

While basic wood is still the material most new cabinets are made of, a growing group is looking for something more unique. Here are some common changes taken place:

• Red birch and white oak are replacing maple and cherry. Mahogany is also high on the list for new cabinets.
• Paint selections are moving towards greens, blues, and browns in place of white or off-white shades to coordinate with other rooms in the house.
• With respect to grain, horizontal is beginning to edge vertical in contemporary kitchens.

Other Distinctions

Despite the desire for new cabinets, the price and hassle of buying and installing them can be intimidating. If new cabinets just aren't in your budget, you can reface your old cabinets to resemble the look of new ones. Refacing technologies have improved to the degree that it's tough to tell the difference.

The good news is that with traditional trends giving way to new options, you can let your imagination run wild when designing your new kitchen.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the home improvement scene in between his seasonal projects. His articles appear wherever intelligent interior design is valued.