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Just because kitchen cabinets are functional elements does not mean they should be ordinary. In fact, they make up a significant part of your design palette, so it pays to know what’s happening this year. Here are the kitchen cabinet trends you’ll see everywhere in 2025.
Warm Wood Tones Are Having a Moment
After years of cool grays and stark whites dominating kitchens, warm wood tones are making a big comeback. Interior designers are moving away from anything that might feel stark, embracing kitchen cabinet colors that bring natural warmth to the room. You’ll see rich walnut, honey oak, and cherry finishes creating cozy spaces that feel more like home than showroom.
These warm shades work especially well on lower cabinets paired with lighter upper cabinets, or as a beautiful accent on your kitchen island. The key is finding wood tones that complement your existing space without overwhelming it. Many homeowners are choosing warm wood for their cabinet doors while keeping the cabinet boxes in neutral colors for a balanced look.
What makes this trend particularly appealing is how it works with so many different kitchen styles. Whether you’re going for a modern kitchen aesthetic or something more classic, warm wood tones add character without feeling trendy in a way that might look dated in a few years.
Subtle Shades and Warm Neutrals
White kitchens aren’t going anywhere, but the stark, clinical white of the past few years is giving way to warmer, more nuanced options. Benjamin Moore’s warm neutrals are leading the charge, with shades that have just a hint of cream, beige, or even pale gray undertones.
These subtle cabinet colors create visual interest without being bold or overwhelming. They’re perfect for homeowners who want something fresher than pure white but aren’t ready to commit to dramatic color. Warm neutrals also photograph beautifully and work well with natural light, making your kitchen feel bright and welcoming throughout the day.
Interior designers love these colors because they create a timeless backdrop that won’t interfere with your upcoming design projects. You can easily change your backsplash, countertops, or wall colors without worrying about whether they’ll clash with your cabinetry.
Dark Tones Statement
On the opposite end of the spectrum, dark cabinet trends are gaining momentum in 2025. Deep navy blues, forest greens, and rich charcoal shades are showing up in modern kitchens everywhere. These bold colors create dramatic contrast and add luxurious depth to the space.
Dark upper cabinets might seem risky, but when done right, they create incredible visual impact. The trick is balancing them with lighter elements. Think white or light wood countertops, bright backsplashes, or plenty of natural light. Many design teams recommend using dark tones on lower cabinets or the kitchen island first to see how you like living with the color.
These darker shades work particularly well in larger kitchens where they won’t make the room feel closed in. They also hide fingerprints and everyday wear better than lighter cabinet colors, making them practical choices for busy families.
Mixed Materials Creating Unique Character
The days of matching everything in your kitchen are long gone. This year’s trends embrace mixing different materials and finishes to create spaces with real personality. You might see warm wood lower cabinets paired with painted upper cabinets, or a kitchen island in a bold color while the perimeter stays neutral.
This approach lets you experiment with trendy colors or materials without committing your entire kitchen to them. Maybe you love that deep green shade but aren’t sure about living with it everywhere, try it just on your island. Want to incorporate natural wood but worry about maintenance? Use it as an accent on a few cabinet doors or open shelving areas.
The key to making mixed materials work is having a cohesive color palette that ties everything together. Your design team can help you choose combinations that feel intentional rather than random.
Open Shelving
Open shelving has been popular for several years, but it’s evolving in 2025. Instead of replacing upper cabinets entirely, smart homeowners are incorporating strategic open shelves that serve specific purposes. This might mean a few open shelves for displaying beautiful dishes or everyday items you use constantly.
The beauty of this approach is that you get the visual lightness of open shelving without sacrificing storage. You can show off your favorite pieces while keeping everyday clutter hidden behind cabinet doors. Many people are using open shelving as a way to break up long runs of upper cabinets, creating more interesting sight lines.
For those who love the look but worry about keeping everything organized, glass-front cabinet doors offer a middle ground. You get the display aspect without the dust and daily maintenance that comes with completely open shelves.
Natural Colors Bringing the Outdoors In
There’s a growing trend toward cabinet colors inspired by nature. Think sage greens, warm terracotta tones, and colors that remind you of stone or clay. These natural colors work beautifully in kitchens because they feel grounding and peaceful, exactly what you want in the heart of your house.
These earthy tones pair wonderfully with natural materials like wood countertops, stone backsplashes, or even concrete floors. They’re also forgiving colors that work with both warm and cool lighting, making your kitchen feel comfortable at any time of day.
What’s nice about natural colors is that they feel fresh without being trendy. They have a timeless quality that means your kitchen won’t look dated in a few years, but they’re distinctive enough to feel current and interesting.
Bold Accent Cabinets
Not ready to commit to bold colors throughout your kitchen? Accent cabinets are the perfect way to add personality without overwhelming the space. This might mean painting just your kitchen island in a dramatic color, or choosing a bold shade for a coffee station or butler’s pantry.
Popular choices include deep blues, rich greens, and even warm oranges or reds. The key is choosing colors that complement your main cabinet color while creating enough contrast to stand out. This approach lets you follow cabinet trends without making your entire kitchen feel too trendy.
Accent cabinets also give you flexibility as your tastes change. It’s much easier to repaint an island than to redo your entire kitchen if you decide you want something different in a few years.
Storage Hidden in Plain Sight
Modern kitchen design is all about making your space work harder while looking cleaner. Cabinet manufacturers are getting creative with storage solutions that keep your countertops clear and your kitchen organized. Think pull-out drawers in lower cabinets, built-in organizers for your appliances, and clever ways to hide everything from your fridge to your microwave.
Many of these storage innovations can be incorporated into existing cabinets, making them perfect for your next remodel. Interior designers are particularly excited about solutions that help small appliances disappear when not in use, creating that clean, uncluttered look that makes any kitchen feel more luxurious.
The best storage solutions are the ones you don’t notice. They just make your kitchen work better without drawing attention to themselves.
Hardware That Makes a Statement
Cabinet hardware is having a moment in 2025. Instead of trying to make hardware disappear, designers are choosing pieces that add character and visual interest to the kitchen. This might mean oversized pulls on lower cabinets, mixed metals that create contrast, or hardware with unique textures or shapes.
The trend toward mixing materials extends to hardware too. You might see brass pulls on some cabinets with black hardware on others, or a combination of different shapes and sizes that creates a custom, collected-over-time look.
Quality hardware can completely change the feel of your existing cabinets without the expense of replacement. It’s one of the easiest ways to update your kitchen and follow current trends without a major renovation.
Two-Toned Kitchen Cabinet Trends
Instead of stark contrasts, many homeowners are choosing colors that are related but different enough to create visual interest. This might mean pairing two different warm neutrals, or combining a natural wood tone with a painted color in the same family.
The classic approach of lighter upper cabinets with darker lower cabinets still works beautifully, especially in kitchens with lots of natural light. But designers are also experimenting with other combinations. Like painting just the kitchen island a different color, or using two different wood tones for a more subtle contrast.
The key to successful two-toned kitchens is making sure the colors work together and don’t fight for attention. When done right, this approach adds depth and character without making the space feel busy or chaotic.
Let’s Find Cabinets That Fit Your Style
If you’re not sure which of these trends will work best in your space, the design team at Cabinets City can help you explore your options. We work with homeowners throughout Chicago to create kitchens that look beautiful and function perfectly.
We carry top kitchen cabinet brands, whether you want ready-to-assemble or custom cabinetry. Everything comes with manufacturer warranties, and we make sure to deliver on time so your kitchen project doesn’t get delayed or go over budget.
