High end custom kitchen cabinetry is undergoing some changes in 2018.
Along with other rooms in the home over the last few years, one of the most obvious trends that is taking place is the switch to clean aesthetics. The look of traditional cabinet doors and drawers of the 1970’s and 1980’s with raised panel cathedral doors has declined in popularity and the move today is towards a minimalistic look. Modern cabinets have a smooth, clean design with recessed doors and smooth edges, and even the handles are low profile. All of this works perfectly well with a modern kitchen where the look is uncluttered and simple.
Another current trend is the re-introduction of oak wood back into the kitchen. That too was extremely popular in the 70’s and 80’s but in the early 1990’s was overtaken by cherry and maple, along with engineered wood alternatives. Indeed, painted MDF and wood veneer are still widely used in high end custom kitchen cabinetry, but there are people who long for a little of the vintage look about the kitchen which is why oak is making a comeback with that somewhat rustic appeal. Despite its’ natural look, some homeowners are adding a coat of paint to the oak which might seem like defeating the object of the exercise, but nonetheless dark colors such as navy, grey, and even black are coming into fashion.
Colors
While on the subject of colors, there is an overall drive for neutral colors in the kitchen such as yellow, light greens, and light greys. These shades have the added advantage that they add light to the kitchen, which can often be quite a small room. However, there is also a move to the opposite end of the scale with dark blue, black, dark greens, and even purple appearing. However, they are still not as popular as the lighter shades.
What some people are beginning to do is to make a statement by having different colors in the kitchen. So, for instance, the wall cabinets might be light green while the corresponding under counter cabinets could be dark green. In larger kitchens, some people are making a statement by painting the island in a “stand-out” color, so the wall cabinetry might be light shades with the island in navy or black. As with other areas of the house, homeowners want to be seen to be a little bit different from the run of the mill.
Under cabinet lighting is still popular in 2018, and it certainly makes good sense, adding extra light to the counter tops and working areas. LED lighting is popular as it comes in strips and bars, and a variety of colors. It can be used to complement or contrast with high end custom kitchen cabinetry. You can also use xenon or halogen lights, but the latter are not a good idea as they give off too much heat and could affect drinks or food stored in the cabinet.
Another trend in 2018 is a move towards open shelving rather than wall cabinets. This is a great idea if you have a splendid dinner service that you want to display, and it also means that you can see what you need instantly. You can vary the look enormously by adding recipe books, wine bottles, fruit bowls, sets of saucepans, and more, but you need to be careful about the aesthetics. It is all too easy to achieve a look that is simply cluttered, so you need to consider the overall impact if you opt for open shelving.
Overall, for 2018 the trend is towards personalisation. People want to achieve a look that says “this is me”, and be just that bit different.
