It is true, white cabinets will not be "on trend" in 10 years; however, they always look okay (except those ones with the wood on the bottom that were so popular in the 80s). You can update the backsplash and paint the wall a different color to make a white kitchen more current. Choice of wood and tone of wood will come and go (Oak - 80s, Cherry 00's) and paint colors come and go.
Every 30 years dark kitchens come back in style. People install them for a while and then realize what a nightmare they are to clean and how dark they feel. They look really good when they are clean and bright, but they are hard to maintain. It's kind of like a black car. Nothing looks better than a clean black car. But how willing are you to keep it that clean? |
Whatever, I paid full freight for that kitchen. |
snork. OK that made me lol. |
As others have stated, the most current look is cabinets that are painted a color, like gray. |
Wood cabinets are just as classic as white cabinets, but which is "dated" and which is "trendy" changes every five to ten years. Lots of white kitchen lovers seem to be in denial that when a certain style is everywhere, people tire of it and it becomes "dated." Best to just chose what appeals to you and not worry so much about what is on trend. In 10 years, buyers will likely think its dated regardless. |
I don't think anyone has mentioned cabinet styles. I think the Shaker look is still very popular, but so is the sleek "Euro" flat panel look. I think raised panels and arches look dated. |
Getting back to trends. In addition to things people have mentioned, here are some others:
Natural wood cabinets (no stain etc) Open shelving--they keep trying to push this on us. Please--must of us really don't have attractive displays behind our cabinet doors . Furniture in the kitchen Clever organizers like drawers within drawers Am seeing quite a few pendant lamps with drum shades--fabric shades in a kitchen don't strike me as particularly practical. Granitey looking granite seems definitely on its way out, but more discreet versions are still fine. Quartz countertops are still very much in the mix, but there is a lot more interest than previously in natural stone like marble and soapstone and living with the etching etc., which you can call patina. There's a trend toward natural stone on back splashes, including pebbled stone, but these are quite high maintenance so I am not sure if it will last. Apparently, stainless steel back splashes are also making a comeback for which I can only say hurrah--my 1950's kitchen will be on trend for something, plus it is incredibly low maintenance. |
Actually, I think this is always the biggest issue. Any cabinet color can be updated with surroundings like paint, backsplash, counters, dining furniture, etc. but cabinet styles are harder to work around. I think that Shaker and flat are pretty timeless, and even ones with subtle arches can be too, but the ones with heavy detailing (remember faux Tuscan?) can be more problematic. |
snork? OK 'snork' made ME lol! |
What's with that? It makes the kitchen look like a black and white picture. I predict that it's a short-lived trend. Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I just changed out my old 1990's white thermofoil cabinets for spice-colored maple cabinets. The cabinets are a bit old-fashioned compared to today's modern painted colors but I just love the look of real wood. |
Recessed panel cabinets is extremely popular. |
LOL, Dishwasher/Dear Wife; same thing. Gray cabinets or walls are pretty trendy right now. Also sparkly pendant lighting. |
I think Shaker cabinets in white or in a light, tight-grained wood are a good choice. A light colored backsplash, or no backsplash. A light colored Quartz countertop will also stand the test of time as much as anything, I think. Lighting under cabinets, of course. I think drawers in place of lower cabinets are here to stay. I think upper open cabinets or shelving is on its way out. Getting the microwave off the countertop and out from the stove hood, and working it into the cabinetry, is a good idea. And island you can sit at. What's timeless, really, is a great layout for the space that you have. Get that right, and the rest is just details. Good luck! |
I feel like white kitchens are like a white dress shirt. Never trendy but never out of style. |
Interesting that this list from Houzz on most-wanted kitchen features deals more with layout and function than on specific colors or finishes.
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46568668/list/your-top-20-kitchen-must-haves |