From subtle to bold, these designer-approved ideas will inspire you to plan your next kitchen project.
Although you might not often realize it, the kitchen cabinets are one of the first things you see when you walk into the space. Sure, the appliances may be good enough for a professional chef, and the countertops are surely swoon-worthy, but when you've reimagined your storage with amazing kitchen cabinet ideas, they undeniably become the stars of the show. Because of this, the hardware, color, wood grain, and style are all details you must consider when choosing your kitchen cabinet designs, but because there are so many options, it can be hard to narrow them down.
We looked to some amazing designers to create a list of kitchen cabinet ideas that'll help you figure out what exactly it is that you want and show the potential cabinetry has to truly transform a space. Keep reading to find all the beautiful storage inspiration for the heart of the home.
For more beautiful kitchen inspiration:
- 35 Unbelievable Kitchen Makeovers That'll Give You Endless Inspiration
- 60 Small Kitchen Ideas That Maximize Your Space in Style
- 100 Kitchen Design Ideas That'll Make You Want to Redo Yours
1
Stick With an Earthy Color Palette
For a home with a lot of beautiful woodwork, choose a cabinet color from an earthy palette to enhance the timeless, moody aesthetic. Designer Amanda Jacobs chose the smoky green Vintage Vogue from Benjamin Moore for this Kentucky bungalow's kitchen cabinets to give the room a more storied feel.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
2
Split the Lower and Upper Cabinets
Further emphasize the different colors in your overall palette by choosing two different hues for the upper and lower cabinets in your kitchen. This southern California kitchen would've remained all white had designer Brian Paquette not chosen to paint the lower cabinets the home's signature green—which just so happened to perfectly match the barstools as well.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
3
Add Vented Cabinets
If your home lacks a proper laundry room and your appliances live in the kitchen, hide them away with vented cabinets. Designer Katie Hodges's Hollywood Hills home didn't offer enough square footage for a separate laundry space, so she snuck in one using these chic custom cabinets coated in Farrow & Ball's Mouse’s Back paint.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Keep It Rich
In designer Ashley Maddox's formerly untouched midcentury home that she renovated with her Magnolia colleague Hilary Walker, Maddox went with a rich, dark walnut for her cabinetry. Not only does this kitchen cabinet idea keep the space timeless, but it contrasts so deeply with the white walls that it forces the eye to the cabinets.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
5
Make It Hazy
Add dimension to your glass cabinetry by choosing a fluted glass for the outside. The textured glass in this kitchen cabinet idea reflects light differently than regular glass, creating a hazy look that overlays whatever's stored inside. Designer Noz Nozawa chose black and brown with an orange undertone for her cabinets, giving the room a cozy, warm feel.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
6
Keep It Minimalist
Go with light-colored, no-frills cabinets to embrace a minimalist kitchen. In designer Susannah Charbin's Long Island home, she wanted the outdoors to be the focus of the property, letting the view from the kitchen windows do the talking rather than what's inside.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Choose a Native Material
Honor the environment surrounding your home and choose a native material for your cabinetry. Designer Tom Scheerer chose pecky cypress wood for much of this Florida kitchen space because the tree is native to the wetlands.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
8
Mix It Up
Add brightness and whimsy to your space by painting your cabinets different playful colors. Designer Kit Kemp didn't keep with traditional hues in her kitchen—she chose a sunny yellow (Babouche by Farrow & Ball), a pastel coral, and a baby blue that can't be seen here.
9
Choose a High-Gloss Paint
Not only does this deep maroon high-gloss paint on the cabinets match the Viking range in this historic Kansas City home, but it reflects enough light to make the space appear larger. This bar, designed by Annie Kern (along with the rest of the home), perfectly captures the moody vibe of the house.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Paint Them Pink
A muted pink for a moody, gray room adds the perfect amount of color to a space without feeling out of place. This kitchen cabinet idea in this Nashville home's butler's pantry adds so much warmth to the room. Architect Erin Cypress from Pfeffer Torode and interior designer Liz Bonesio created a colorful, bright space for their artist client, and the terra-cotta pink became a theme throughout the entire house.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
11
Hide Away Appliances
In this wet bar by Keia McSwain, storage is swapped for hidden appliances with brass cabinet fronts. Adult and kid beverages can be stored separately in convertible, under-counter refrigerator drawers from Signature Kitchen Suite. Plus, a hidden, smaller drawer on top is perfect for stashing away treats.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
12
Make Your Cabinets Work for You
While it may seem weird to store all your tableware in drawers, it's becoming increasingly common as people are forgoing upper cabinets altogether. This kitchen cabinet idea by Urbanology utilizes pegs to customize each drawer's interior.
Related: The Best Kitchen Drawer Organization Ideas
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Tie in Your Hardware
In Reena Ravi's studio kitchen in Seattle, brass lattice cabinet fronts are used to tie in the room's gilded hardware and fixtures. The brass also helps to reflect light and offset the moody navy cabinetry.
Related: How to Decorate With Trellis Details Indoors
14
Play Tetris
In House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home kitchen, this cabinet interior utilizes every square inch by shuffling around shelf heights to fit each book and container exactly. No wasted space here.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
15
Avoid Doors
There's nothing worse than walking into the kitchen only to find every cabinet door left open. In this family home's pantry, designer Meta Coleman decided to make that problem a thing of the past by avoiding doors completely. Now, everyday items are within easy reach, and matching baskets keep clutter to a minimum.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Stained-Glass Panels
“Stained glass cabinets were once a popular choice but fell out of favor in recent years,” designer Margarita Bravo says. “However, they are making a comeback as homeowners seek to add a touch of elegance to their kitchens.”
Take it from this soft, monochromatic pink kitchen by Baxt Ingui Architects, which was designed for the 2022 Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse and features cabinetry with stained glass.
17
Dark Stained Wood
“It works as a counterbalance to all the saturated colors in our interiors right now, lends a 'been here forever' vibe, and aligns with our yearnings for the comfort of our grandparents' home,” says Studio Dearborn founder Sarah Robertson of dark stained wood cabinetry. This kitchen cabinet idea from the designer is a prime example.
18
Stained White Oak
To match the floors of this home in Leeds, New York, Shapeless Studio stained the new white oak cabinetry. “It keeps with the home’s warmth and makes everything feel a part of the building,” says designer Jess Hinshaw.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Skirted Cabinetry
If you have open cabinets and don't love the way they look, a simple hack is to DIY a curtain to cover them. Opt for café curtains, or measure and cut your chosen fabric accordingly and then hang it from the bottom of the counter with a rod. In this kitchen, designer Phoebe Howard matched the curtain pattern to the ceiling wallpaper for high impact.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
20
Pastel Cabinets
For a colorful but not overwhelming look, paint your cabinetry in two pastels. In this 1940s bungalow, designer Laura Jenkins chose Stone Blue and Teresa's Green by Farrow & Ball. A peachy Fireclay Tile backsplash makes it extra playful.
TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME
