Fall 2021 kitchen trends

Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, here is my trend-forecast for kitchens going into Fall/Winter 2021!

Earth toned cabinet colors: Beige and mushroom paints or natural stains are replacing the onslaught of black and white cabinets we’ve seen trend in the past ten years. These colors are calming, neutral, great at hiding stains and just as timeless as a white kitchen. Pair with brass hardware for even more warmth.

mushroom kitchen cabinets in shiitake by sherwin williams image source

Craftsman kitchen with wood stained cabinets image source

2. Free-standing, bespoke furniture that had a previous life as something else. Think: dresser, wardrobe, salvaged apothecary drawers. These pieces are replacing wall to wall cabinets and sometimes stand on their own apart from the cabinet in space, style or color. They are considered an accent piece and provide the sense they have been there for a hundred years. They do NOT need to match the rest of your cabinetry. In fact, it’s better if they don’t!

antique glass wall cabinet in kitchen image source

Victorian cabinet in kitchen image source

vintage buffet turned kitchen sink image source

Apothecary cabinet kitchen island image source

3. Tone on tone kitchens. The past few years we’ve seen a huge surge in two-toned cabinets. Now tone on tone kitchens are taking over. Maybe the cabinets match the walls, or the walls match the tile. Kitchens with an overall wash of monochromatic, bold color are going to be a big trend. They pack a punch, but due to the lack of color variation can feel strangely calming at the same time.

Farrow and Ball India yellow kitchen image source

Did I mention green kitchens are having a moment?

green tone on tone kitchen with tiled backsplash to match image source

4. I think you will see the wallpaper trend creep into kitchens. Maybe not so much as a backsplash, but accent wall. It’s a great way to add charm to a kitchen otherwise lacking in architectural interest.

wallpaper in kitchen bar with skirted cabinet doors image source

wallpaper accent wall in kitchen image source

5. People will be opting for Prep tables over islands with beefy cabinetry. These tables usually have legs as opposed to closed sides. This exposes more of the flooring, making the room feel much larger. It's a more rustic, utilitarian look which can provide balance to a modern kitchen. It’s also a great way to add a contrasting color or finish.

prep table island in green kitchen image source

marble iron prep table island image source

wood prep table in kitchen by Amber interiors image source

prep table island in victorian kitchen image source

5. Cabinets are making a comeback! I think you will start to see cabinet uppers replacing floating shelves or the no-uppers-at-all trend. Cabinet doors are going to have a moment again with impressive hardware and detailed door fronts.

DeVol kitchen with ventilation holes on shaker cabinet doors image source

By painting the mesh doors the same color as the cabinet, they become more of a textural detail and do not stick out as much visually.

Amanda Orr architects mesh metal cabinets image source

English kitchen with ventilated cabinet doors image source

Nothing feels dated about these upper cabinets, with a custom soffit to make it feel even more integrated.

Amber interiors arched black kitchen cabinets image source

Seeded glass door fronts bring depth to these upper cabinet doors. Installing them near the ceiling adds to the expanse of your surface-space and backsplash as well.

glass cabinet uppers in green tiled kitchen with checkerboard floors image source

This image proves open shelves aren’t the only way to show-off your favorite things.

sage green kitchen cabinets with glass doors image source

6. Preserving original features. Whereas people used to entirely gut a midcentury kitchen, you are going to start seeing more of these features have a new life in a modern kitchen. Maybe it’s salvaged hardware, flat-front cabinets or tile…as these original kitchens become harder to come by, people are going to appreciate them more.

Sarah Phipps design benjamin moore sea salt paint color image source

Props to this home-owner for even keeping the existing hinges…

Natalie Ebel kitchen pantry with original doors image source

original oak cabinet doors with brass hardware image source

The obvious answer to making this galley kitchen feel larger would have been to take out the cabinet uppers altogether, but there is something so sweet about this original feature. Also, by matching the cabinets to the walls, there is less visual clutter.