Kitchen renovations have increased significantly over the past 2 years. Driven by the pandemic, more families are realizing that being at home means more cooking, more mealtimes together, and lots of Work-From-Home (WFH) and schoolwork/homework assignments being done, often in the kitchen. If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen in the coming months to make it more family-friendly, or just give it a face-lift, new cabinets are a great way to transform your space and turn it into something more versatile and trendy as well. Whether a total renovation is on the horizon, or just an update, here are some of the most in demand and lasting styles of kitchen cabinets for every taste and budget.
Several cabinet styles that have maintained their popularity over the years and more popular than ever are Shaker, Contemporary, and Transitional. So what are the differences between them?
Shaker-Style Cabinets
Over the past year, purchases of Shaker-style kitchen cabinets have increased 64 percent with home remodelers now asking for this style cabinet most often. Although Shaker style dates back to mid 18th century, the current Shaker style cabinets blend the older feel with a contemporary flair. Since early 2020 there has been a movement of nostalgia for an earlier time in our country, when life was simpler. One way to achieve this newer look is to paint the cabinets white or in a color that works with your home palette.
So how would we describe Shaker style? The fronts consist of five flat pieces—a recessed center surrounded by a four piece frame. It is a very simple design that works well in any style kitchen from contemporary to traditional. This makes Shaker an adaptable design choice that will hold up over many years.
Contemporary
Contemporary kitchen cabinets have clean lines and a sleek look. Most contemporary cabinets are designed in a simple, streamlined style and have little if any ornamentation. Most contemporary style kitchens use either Shaker or flat-front cabinet doors due to their simple lines and wide range of materials. Flat front doors are also referred to as slab doors.
Most contemporary style kitchens today utilize neutral color palettes, but often have a splash of bold color that compliments the main neutral color as a focal point. Also, many contemporary kitchens use two-tone cabinets – light on the top and darker on the bottom. In a smaller kitchen, white or off-white cabinets are a good choice as the lighter color cabinets give the optical illusion of larger space.
Transitional
Transitional kitchens are for homeowners that want to blend a traditional style with a contemporary look. To create a cohesive approach in the design, colors and textures are combined to achieve a cross between the warmth of traditional styling and the sleek lines of modern design. Transitional kitchens all tend to be very different since there is a mixing of various elements and a wide range of styles, colors and woods used to create the transitional look and feel.
There are some common elements though that you will find in most Transitional kitchens. These kitchens often have a blend of man-made and organic materials and tend to be more casual, bright and creative. Decorative ornamentation can be added for extra elegant styling, but usually only in small quantities. Transitional kitchens also appeal to a large segment of homebuyers, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association in 2021.
In the 2022 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, some results came as no surprise: white kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances are still the go-to choices. But some of the trends uncovered in this study reflect radical shifts in how we use our kitchens—including the decline of open-concept kitchens. Houzz surveyed more than 2,300 U.S. homeowners who had either completed a kitchen remodel over the past 12 months or were planning to start one within the next three months at the end of the summer. Renovating in the midst of the pandemic, these homeowners had their sights set on spacious kitchen islands for work-from-home and plenty of cabinet organizers to help them contain the clutter.
When you are ready to start your kitchen remodel, please stop by our spacious showroom with over a dozen different kitchen layouts and speak to one of our experienced kitchen designers. We carry nine different cabinet manufacturers in every style and budget range, as well as six countertop brands and hardware. We look forward to welcoming you to our East Hanover, NJ, showroom very soon.
