Kitchen Cabinet Painting Trends

If you have been watching the Home Remodeling Shows on TV, you might have noticed some new kitchen cabinet painting trends.

Painting kitchen cabinets has certainly become the trend and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down.  Yes, even flat panel kitchen cabinets from the ’50s and 60’s designs create a perfect canvas to apply different colors for good vibrations.

If you have stained oak cabinets from the past 20-40 years,  they are probably not looking too trendy right now. As long as the cabinets are structurally sound, they are candidates to be painted.

Are white cabinets still popular?

According to Reico Kitchen Cabinets, white kitchen cabinets are still a popular choice but the trends are starting to change.  Consumers are buying white shake style cabinets with accent pieces in blue.  Another common color choice for kitchen cabinets is gray and warm putty tones.

The industry is in the process of pushing more 1950 and 60’s colors.  This will include a large swath of greens that can very from earth tones to teal.

Expert kitchen designer, Stacey Morningstar from Rieco.  “Straight white cabinets will give your kitchen a clean look but will most likely be a supporting character for something else in the room. For example, an attractive backsplash, or a wolf stove and stunning exhaust vent. If everything is white a neutral then the overall effect can look a bit boring and sterile.

According to Home & Gardens, the trend is moving away from straight white and more instead incorporating multiple colors.

Avoid clutter on top of kitchen cabinets.

Mistakes to avoid when painting the kitchen cabinets.

•      The warm color floor and the cool white kitchen cabinets don’t work well.
•      The knobs are dated. Update knobs and handles
•      The clutter on top of the kitchen cabinets bothers me
•      The kitchen island could be painted a different color to add interest

In contrast, this kitchen checks all the boxes to coordinating a beautiful kitchen.

• Blue backsplash offers interest
• Floor compliments cabinet color
• A mixture of knobs and handles
• Countertop works great with all colors

Before and After Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Severna Park MD

Adding a Second Color

Having your kitchen cabinets painted white with nothing to grab your attention is like having a rhythm section with no lead vocals or soloist. The kitchen island takes center stage like Rod Stewert in concert.

Painting kitchen cabinets in two different colors is one of my favorite ways to create a new and interesting kitchen.  Painting kitchen islands a dark espresso color has been a trend for years.  2021 kitchen cabinet trends are still pointing to dark hues but more towards vibrant colors like this navy blue.

The kitchen cabinets and doors were painted the same color.

Sammy Davis Junior – The Candyman

If you are going to apply two different colors typically the bottom cabinets are the darker color of the two.

Picking the right sheen for your Kitchen Cabinets

Ideas for painting kitchen cabinets can also be inspired by the sheen. Typically, cabinets are painted a satin sheen which is slightly less than a semi-gloss. If you really want your kitchen to pop, try an intense color and then paint it in a high gloss paint like this one shown here.

Satin finish cabinets

The standard sheen for most kitchen cabinets is a satin finish.  Satin finishes are very durable and washable.  Klappenberger & Son has had great success with a cabinet grade paint called C2.

High Gloss Cabinets

• A warning about applying high gloss paint.
• Some gloss paint is difficult to apply
• For best results spray the paint
• Gloss paint highlights imperfections
• To achieve the highest sheen I suggest Fine Paints of Europe Brilliant Holland Lac.
• If you do not have any experience in spraying, I would suggest you hire a professional painting contractor such as Klappenberger & Son

A variety of stained wood and painted cabinets

Don’t forget about the hardware

There are 1000’s of handles and knobs that can add so much character and interest to the look of your kitchen. The ideas and combinations are endless and there is no reason to limit yourself to just one or two styles.

Adding kitchen pieces that don’t match has been the norm

It wasn’t until the 1920s that kitchen cabinets began to appear. Food and utensils, etc. were stored in random pieces of furniture, and shelves in the kitchen. In essence, it was a mixed match of different types of furniture, tables, and shelving. There were no monolithic kitchen cabinets until 1925 when the Franfurt cabinets were first made in Germany.

Incorporating different sizes and styles was the only option. One piece of furniture would be used for cutting and storage and another for some other practical function. This is why painting different colors and adding different hardware can allow you to create your own personal space. Having different colored cabinets, with different hardware, is like creating a band and with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Jon Paul Jones, and John Bonham. It all comes together beautifully with each piece complementing the other. The only thing missing from the picture is a happy Black Dog.