What Cabinets are in Style for 2026
Hi everyone, Nikki Grassmann here from Crowned Cabinets in Dunedin, Florida! As we
look ahead to 2026, the world of kitchen cabinetry continues to evolve, but it’s settling
into a beautiful balance between high-end customization and timeless comfort.
Homeowners are moving past fleeting fads and investing in designs that reflect a
sophisticated, lived-in luxury. The good news is that the most popular styles are all
about blending warmth, efficiency, and enduring quality.

One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is a strong return to natural wood tones. While
white cabinets will always be a classic, designers are increasingly incorporating mid-
tone and lighter wood stains, particularly white oak and walnut. These woods add
texture, depth, and a grounded warmth that stark painted kitchens often lack. This trend
is driven by a desire for organic modernism—a style that values clean lines paired
with tactile, natural materials. For a high-end look, we are seeing many clients use wood
on the lower cabinets or the island base, while keeping the upper cabinets bright with a
complementary neutral paint.
Complementing the wood tones, the most popular colors are moving away from cool,
stark grays toward warmer neutrals. Think soft putty grays, creamy whites, and
mushroom beige. These colors pair beautifully with the natural wood trend and create
a serene, sophisticated palette. For bold accents, deep hunter green and rich navy

blue remain strong choices for islands and feature areas, providing a deep, luxurious
contrast that still feels timeless.
We’re also seeing an evolution of style and form. While the Shaker cabinet remains a
perennial favorite due to its versatility, we are seeing two major style evolutions. The
first is a refinement of the Shaker, with thinner frames creating a slightly more
transitional and modern profile. This “slim Shaker” offers the same classic appeal but
with a cleaner, sharper edge that pairs perfectly with contemporary hardware.
The second major style in vogue is the flat-panel or slab cabinet, especially popular
for large kitchens. These cabinets are being elevated with textured finishes, such as a
subtle wood grain or a matte finish that has a unique feel to the touch. The appeal of the
slab is its ultimate simplicity, which highlights other materials in the kitchen, like a
stunning countertop or a uniquely textured backsplash. For a fully customized, luxurious
look, some clients are integrating a hidden finger pull channel instead of exterior
hardware, allowing the seamless lines to run completely uninterrupted.
Another welcomed shift in 2026 is that functionality is no longer an afterthought—it’s a
luxury feature. Homeowners are investing heavily in seamless integration and smart
storage. This means fully integrated appliance panels that hide refrigerators and
dishwashers behind cabinetry. This creates a clean, architectural look that elevates the
entire space.
Inside the cabinets, the trends focus on making every single action effortless. Think of
deep, pull-out drawers instead of standard base cabinets, and customized drawer
inserts for everything from spice jars to cutting boards. Even the simple pull-out trash
can is being upgraded with self-opening mechanisms. The overall theme is that the
kitchen should not just look beautiful, but it should function so intuitively that it simplifies
your life. These are the elements that solidify a kitchen as truly high-end and are well
worth the investment.
Until next time, this is Nikki Grassmann reminding you that your kitchen is the heart of
your home and the heart of your kitchen is great cabinets.

The post Tampa…What Cabinets are in Style for 2026? appeared first on Crowned Cabinets.