Skip to main content

These 7 amazing kitchen cabinet ideas will totally refresh your kitchen

Now, more than ever, people are realizing how crucial it is to have a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful. Over the past two years, most of us have spent more time in our kitchens than ever before, and this fact alone has changed the way we look at and decorate the room.

Kitchens should be both welcoming and practical, soothing and functional, especially when it comes to storage and cabinetry. In 2022, interior designers are embracing natural materials, colors, and forms to bring the relaxing nature of the great outdoors into the home. How can you incorporate this overarching trend and others into your kitchen design? Read on to discover some new kitchen cabinet ideas that you can use to refresh your traditional kitchen.

Sage green kitchen cabinets
Serghei Starus / Shutterstock

Refresh the kitchen with shades of green

There are so many great kitchen cabinet color ideas that you can incorporate in your design, making it simple to find one that matches your style. With the popularity of natural materials and colors, it’s no surprise that green will be one of the most significant cabinet colors of the year. Thanks to its soothing and almost-neutral look, sage green will be the trendiest shade for 2022. Choose a deep, rich forest or emerald hue to add more drama and opulence to your kitchen. Or get inspired by the foods in your refrigerator and try a mint or olive green.

Recommended Videos

Embrace natural wood grain

If you’re updating your cabinetry this year, you can forgo the paintbrush altogether, shun glossy finishes, and instead welcome natural wood grain. Wood cabinets are naturally beautiful; each piece of wood has a totally unique grain, creating a one-of-a-kind look in your kitchen. The material is natural, creating a soothing environment, and classic, signifying a desire to return to long-lasting and timeless design. Add some luxury to your sustainable design by choosing walnut cabinetry. Its fine grain and warm, dark color can instantly take your kitchen to the next level.

Modern kitchen with handleless cabinets
Luciano Santandreu / Shutterstock

Say goodbye to handles

For modern kitchens, handles are about to become a thing of the past. This year’s modern kitchen trends are all about multifunctional design with a minimalistic, streamlined look. Handleless cabinets have push-open doors, which offer a sleek design ideal for any contemporary kitchen. If you don’t like push-open cabinets, you can achieve a similar look with doors that have recessed handles. Regardless of which you choose, the simplicity of these designs has earned them an essential spot in any modern kitchen.

Swap navy for cobalt and sky blue

Navy blue has long been an old standby in interior design, thanks to its versatile, almost neutral tone. But this year, a few new shades of blue are coming for navy’s crown. Sky blue is making waves this year. The soft, pastel shade lends an air of tranquility to the busiest room in the home. Painting the cabinets baby blue is also one of the best kitchen cabinet ideas for small kitchens, because using lighter colors can make your space look larger. Cobalt is another popular hue for 2022. This striking shade of blue adds drama to any room, making it a bold choice for your kitchen cabinets.

Try metal and other unconventional materials

Design experts are expecting an increase in the variety of cabinetry materials in the upcoming year, too. Metal cabinets are set to be very popular this year since they fit the natural materials trend. These cabinets look great in modern and industrial-style kitchens. Plus, this type of quality cabinetry doesn’t just look great; it’s ultra-durable too. Designers also expect to see unconventional materials like plaster, concrete, and luxurious stone make their way from countertops to cabinetry to create really unique and beautiful kitchen storage.

Kitchen with blue frame fronted cabinets
YinYang / Getty Images

Add some dimension with frame fronted cabinets

Frame fronted cabinets, also called in-frame cabinets, are a style of cabinet door characterized by a rim of raised edging. The three-dimensional design of these cabinets adds a bit of visual interest to the kitchen. They create depth and add light and shadow, which breaks up the monotony of flat cabinetry. You can take this cabinet style to the next level by adding decorative mesh inserts, giving the classic look an industrial spin.

Incorporate more old-fashioned storage options

Cabinets aren’t the only kitchen storage space you should consider; more traditional storage options like open shelving, pantries, and larders are making a comeback in a major way. Thanks to the popularity of the cottagecore aesthetic, these traditional kitchens will be super common in 2022. To get this look in your home, consider adding a larder or other freestanding storage unit to store your food. Or, if you have the space, give your pantry a makeover so you’ll have plenty of room to hold all your bulk food purchases. Floating shelves or a single open shelf can offer a traditional look, too.

If you’re looking for kitchen cabinet organization ideas, you’ll want to pay close attention to this trend. These options can give you a ton of extra storage space, allowing you to optimize your kitchen and make the room more functional overall.

The kitchen design trends of 2022 are more exciting than ever before, especially when it comes to cabinetry and storage. If you’re planning to update your kitchen, get inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Use materials like wood or metal for your cabinets, leaving the material in its natural state or adding a pop of color by painting the cabinets green or cobalt blue. Consider handleless cabinets for a modern look, or add depth to the room with frame fronted cabinets. And don’t forget about the other storage opportunities you can add to make your kitchen even more functional than before! With any one of these cabinet trends, you can level up your design and create a Instagram-worthy kitchen.

Shannon Cooper
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shannon Cooper has written about everything from pet care and travel to finance and plumbing in her seven years as a writer…
10 stunning bedroom decor ideas to inspire your next refresh
Ways to make small changes you'll love
Bedroom with green biophilic plant design

When it’s time to refresh your bedroom, small updates and bold choices can transform your space into a haven that feels uniquely yours. If you're searching for bedroom decor ideas that will make your space more inviting, stylish, or even a bit adventurous, you've come to the right place. From creating accent walls to setting a whimsical vibe, here are some creative ideas to turn your bedroom into a show-stopping retreat.
1. Add a bold accent wall

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to elevate your bedroom decor is by adding an accent wall. An accent wall creates a focal point in your room and sets the stage for your desired aesthetic. Whether you go for a splash of color, textured wallpaper, or even wood paneling, an accent wall adds depth and personality to your space.

Read more
What colors go with taupe? Striking ways to design your home
Looking for a versatile neutral? Use taupe and pair it with some fantastic complementary hues
Taupe wall paint with taupe chairs and a large plant

With a range of dark and light shades to choose from, taupe is a versatile color fit for sleek wall tones, soothing accents throughout the room, or simple shades on furniture. While some people avoid this neutral tone, worried that it will appear drab or dull in their spaces, knowing how to use taupe in your home design will help you best take advantage of this stunning neutral color. And whether you love this hue or not, knowing what colors go with taupe can aid you in choosing the right tones for your color palette, especially if you need a gorgeous neutral backdrop.

So, if you love taupe or are eager to incorporate it into your design, then we have a few tips for you. Below are some of the best complementary shades for taupe, as well as the most striking ways to style it in your home.
What color is taupe?

Read more
7 amazing wood paneling makeover ideas
Follow our tips for transforming your wood paneling to refresh your space
White painted wood paneling on wall

Wood paneling may be a trend of the past, but anyone owning a midcentury home knows that this trend has a habit of making a reappearance. If you’re struggling to style or update your existing wood paneling, don’t fret. Here are our wood paneling makeover ideas to give your outdated space a fresh and modern look.
Embrace the wood paneling

The easiest way to makeover wood paneling in your home is to embrace it.
Refresh your wood paneling
Your wood paneling could appear lackluster and outdated due to years of wear and tear. Refresh your panels by giving them a deep clean. Scrub away any grime or dust, and carefully clean the grooves between the panels. Once properly cleaned, consider adding a fresh layer of wood stain or varnish to have them look as good as new.

Read more