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In this post kitchen designers discuss current and future trends in kitchen and bath design in a webinar hosted by Kitchen Cabinet Manufactures of America. We will dive deeper into the trends, but here are some overarching trends & insights:

  • Finishes are trending towards earth-tones, such as natural woods, warmer whites and more subtle blues and greens.
  • Covid made “clean-ability” important driving demand for slab doors, skinny shaker and melamine. This trend continues.
  • Homeowners tend not to want anything on their countertops, and this is increasing demand for storage accessories. Function is more important than style.
  • In-cabinet lighting is not a “nice to have” anymore. It is a necessity.
  • Instagram the best way to stay updated with cabinet trends.

Before we dive deeper into key learnings, let’s meet the designers from the East Coast, West Coast and Canada.

Below is more about the trends discussed in the webinar. You’ll find it a good investment of an hour.

Door Styles

Skinny shaker will continue to be popular due to its flexibility.

It works well with paint or stain. It can be traditional or contemporary. As one designer said, it is the George Clooney of door styles – timeless and sexy.

There is a trend toward specialty doors styles such as metal inlay, fluting, rounded elements and caning.

Skinny shaher

Finishes

Finish trends are getting back to simple earth tones such as natural woods, stains and more earthy paints. Sheens are trending matte, away from gloss.

Oak was the status symbol 50 years ago in kitchens. It is coming back. White oak and walnut are surging, although they are expensive. This opens the doors for red oaks and melamines, which are less expensive.

Red oak can be stained in ways that make it a less expensive alternative to white oak, but still provide that trending earth-tone look.

Melamines have come a long way to the point that some homeowners have a hard time telling a melamine from the real thing. Melamines have other benefits besides cost. They are easier to clean and are more durable. They do not fade like paint and stain does over time.

Navy blue is giving way blue-greens and brillant white to warmer whites. Gray is trending down, although there is still healthy demand.

Rift Cut White Oak

White Oak Melamine Immitation

Smokey Blue

Islands

In bigger homes, it is not uncommon for there to be two islands. One island is focused on food prep and has no seating. The other island is for meals, homework and gatherings.

While most homes have islands with seating, not all do. Some older and smaller homes just don’t have the space for either the seating or sometimes an island at all.

Lighting

Lighting is no longer an option. It is consider a practical accessory today. It enhances the value and longevity of the cabinets and kitchen.

There is so much you can do with lighting that you could not just a couple years ago. Lighting today is not just white. It can be various colors to enhance the kitchen.

Lighting used to be expensive. Now it is more affordable option due to advances in technology.

Storage

Storage depends on how the client uses the space. Practicality drives homeowner decisions more than style.

Storage continues to grow in importance for several reasons:

  • Homeowners want enhanced cleanliness. Less items on the counter, the cleaner the kitchen.
  • Storage makes the cabinetry more timeless. This is due to the added functionality.

Cabinet Construction

The desired cabinet construction depends on the region. Also, it depends on the country. Canada, for example, follows Europe closely. The West Coast tends to prefer frameless cabinetry more than the East Coast.

  • East Coast cabinet construction in a mixture of full overlay, inset and frameless.
  • On the West Coast, frameless is strong but inset is becoming more popular.
  • Canada is largely a frameless market.

About Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association

The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1955 to represent companies who manufacture cabinets, bath cabinets, or other residential cabinets and key kitchen and bath industry suppliers.

With a membership of almost 300 companies throughout North America, KCMA works to advance the cabinet industry through advocacy, setting cabinet quality standards, sponsoring kitchen and bath cabinet-related research and providing the cabinet industry with management tools and educational programs to grow their business.

About Bishop Cabinets

For 60 years our cabinets have been manufactured in Montgomery, Alabama. Bishop offers a wide variety of cabinets, finishes and door styles.

Bishop has been member of KCMA for many years. KCMA tests and certifies our cabinets for durability and quality.

Our Vision Statement: “To create beautiful and functional cabinets through innovation, growth, and a commitment to keep family values at the core of everything we do.”

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