Everyone's style tends to change over time, so choosing features that will grow with you is key, especially in the kitchen. Choosing versatile kitchen cabinet ideas that will withstand your changing style will ensure you don't have to make expensive updates in the future.
When it comes to designing a kitchen, there are so many kitchen cabinet ideas and styles to consider. Some feel more traditional, while others are more contemporary, and colors depend on personal style. So how can you make sure you choose kitchen cabinets that you won't come to regret?
To help you choose a design that you'll continue to love for years to come, consider choosing one of these versatile kitchen cabinet ideas – designers say they are total classics!
Most versatile kitchen cabinet ideas that will withstand your changing style
Choosing kitchen cabinets is always a tough decision, but opting for something enduringly versatile will ensure you love your kitchen for longer. From shaker cabinets to transitional colors, these ideas will make your decision much easier – we promise!
1. Frameless cabinets
If you're looking for a kitchen cabinet style that can work across a breadth of design styles and that won't date, opting for the most simple profile is a safe bet. Complimenting a range of colors, textures, and aesthetics, frameless cabinetry (also referred to as slab front cabinets) proves to be an enduring choice.
'A frameless kitchen cabinetry style tends to be the most versatile style to choose. A frameless cabinetry style can sit both in the traditional and modern camps and can be styled accordingly to address this. The color choice will determine just where this sits,' says Jayne Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
With a cabinet style such as this one, it's all about how to design the kitchen around them to create your desired scheme. 'The styling of a kitchen can very much change the feel of it. A traditional feel can be achieved by adding more layers such as pottery, a book, and a peg rail for hanging aprons and dried herbs really help to set the scene,' she adds.
2. Two-tone kitchen cabinets
An easy yet effective way to give your kitchen scheme dimension and interest is to opt for a two-tone cabinet design. This not only looks great, but it can also help you to create a more versatile kitchen scheme.
'Using a two-tone kitchen with the uppers being one color and lower base cabinets being a different color is a versatile choice. It’s nice to have wood as part of that design because it tends to neutralize any color that’s paired with it,' says Natalie Rebuck, principal designer at Re: Design Architects.
In spaces where you don't have upper cabinets, or where you want a more subtle interpretation of a two-tone kitchen, consider introducing a kitchen island in a different color to your cabinetry, or paint a pantry cupboard in a statement hue.
3. Shaker cabinetry
Considered one of the most timeless kitchen cabinet styles, Shaker kitchens are one of the most enduring and transitional designs you can choose. After all, there's a reason they've been popular for so long.
'Shaker cabinetry is, without a doubt, the most versatile option available. Its clean, timeless lines and simple, functional design allow it to seamlessly blend into a variety of styles, whether it be modern, traditional, or contemporary spaces. Their straightforward design also provides a perfect canvas for different finishes and hardware, making them an ideal choice for almost any kitchen or bathroom design,' says interior designer Becky Shea.
'One of the great advantages of Shaker cabinetry is its incredible adaptability. As your design style evolves, you can easily update the look of your cabinets. In our upstate home, we originally had white cabinetry paired with dated granite countertops. To refresh the kitchen, we opted for a new coat of paint, updated the hardware, and replaced the countertops,' she explains.
'These changes transformed the space entirely, giving it a renewed and invigorating feel. This approach shows how versatile Shaker cabinetry can be, effortlessly transitioning with your style over time,' Becky adds.
4. Handle-less cabinet doors
So often we speak of kitchen cabinet hardware as the jewelry of the kitchen, the finishing touch that helps to dictate your kitchen's aesthetic. So you might be surprised to hear that one of the most versatile kitchen cabinet styles is to go handle-free.
But it's for the very same reasons that opting for nor cabinet hardware makes it versatile – there's no handle style or finish to make your kitchen lean into a certain interior design style, and it's one less feature to worry about as your tastes change.
While this versatile kitchen cabinet style typically feels more minimalist, it offers the perfect base to introduce any decor and style that you wish – plus, you can have more fun with lighting and countertop appliances.
5. Neutral kitchen cabinets
Whether you sway between minimalism and maximalism or prefer to switch up the color palette, opting for neutral kitchen cabinet colors ensures your scheme will always feel cohesive and on-trend.
'Neutral colors will of course keep up over time, even if a pop of color is more fun. Remember that the hardware can be changed easily to keep your cabinet and kitchen refreshed overall,' says Natalie.
In this kitchen, neutral-colored cabinets and walls keep the scheme feeling fresh and inviting, while colorful, patterned accessories and details instantly infuse the kitchen with character and interest.
'Overall it’s important to keep in mind your needs when selecting your style of cabinetry. Yes of course you want them to look beautiful and fit your style, you also want something that will serve you at this time in life,' Natalie adds.
Versatile kitchen cabinets come in different styles and colors, so choosing the right fit for you will come down to which idea appeals to you the most, and which style feels practical and fitting for your space.
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