I've never considered this unexpected kitchen cabinet design before – but Amber Interiors' latest project proves it's the chicest way to add texture to your scheme

If there's one thing I've learned from interior designers about kitchen design, it's that texture is one of the most important elements. It prevents a space from feeling flat and sterile while creating a more characterful, inviting scheme.

And as a Kitchens Editor, I truly thought I had seen it all. From metallic fronts to wooden designs and even paint applications like lime wash that bring in a textured finish, the go-to styles have begun to feel a bit overdone, in my opinion. But then I came across Amber Interiors' latest kitchen design, which she took to Instagram to tease us with this week.

This paneled design is a kitchen cabinet detail that has instantly soared to the top of my list of favorite designs, and it's not hard to see why. It adds that much-needed texture without feeling too modern or too rustic. It's chic, transitional, and totally versatile.

At first glance, you might think the marble countertops and backsplash are the stars of this kitchen design. Bold and heavily veined, they add so much visual appeal to the room, helping to bring in a more layered feel.

But if you take the time to look at the whole space, you'll realize there's another feature that adds abundant depth and texture to this space. Paneled kitchen cabinets are slowly emerging as a go-to style for adding an unexpected textural detail that doesn't feel overdone or too obvious.

It's a cabinet design I've been seeing more of recently, most frequently in wooden kitchen ideas to give them a less dated look. But it's not often I see them incorporated into neutral, painted kitchen designs,

And it works beautifully. The classic tongue-and-groove style of paneling is ordinarily used on the walls, but it creates a dynamic finish to the kitchen cabinets that you simply can't achieve with other styles. It also creates a seamless flow between the upper and lower cabinets.

But you can't ignore the other details in the kitchen that work together to make the paneled cabinets work. Softening the space was key, and I think the simple addition of a vintage runner is perhaps the easiest way to add a cozier element to the kitchen.

The extractor hood is another important element that helps to emphasize the texture of the paneled fronts. A smooth plastered finish balances the expanse of paneling, while the warm white hue helps to bring out the warmth of the earthier kitchen cabinet color.

I see a lot of kitchen designs with cabinets of every design and style, but this paneled finish is the most textural and visually interesting I've seen in a while. It's perfectly balanced by the smoother materials in the room, bringing in the perfect amount of texture and warmth.

Shop the look

Unless you're currently planning a kitchen remodel (which I'm certainly not), introducing paneled kitchen cabinets is an unrealistic idea. However, there are plenty of other elements in the Amber Interiors kitchen that adds textural interest – and these three decor pieces instantly caught my eye as I was shopping the look.

If there's one lesson I've learned from this design, it's that sometimes, it really does pay to stray from classic designs, like shaker kitchen cabinets or classic wall paneling, and instead opt for a design that feels less expected.

Any other cabinet style would have felt a bit flat and lost in this design, whereas the paneled doors instantly add interest and texture, bringing the space to life. Perfect for modern spaces, traditional schemes, and even modern organic kitchens, it's the cabinet style to try this year to make a kitchen more unique.