Top 7 Cabinetry Trends of 2023

Kitchen Design Trends for 2023 - Modern Kitchen Design

We are on the front lines of kitchen design trends, and not only because we are curators of custom cabinet fronts. Dendra Doors is founded and led by Interior Designers and General Contractors on the cutting edge of mid- to high-end design. We see trends come and go and can confidently tell you what is the new representation of Modern and Traditional designs. This week we pour through the claims of cabinet door trends to let you know what is what and what to not bother with.

Is the Shaker Door Ready to Retire?

Every year we see more and more articles claiming that the traditional Shaker cabinet door is on it’s way out. The short answer is that this is true. While the right finish on a classic Shaker in the right kitchen is hard to beat, we are seeing all kinds of variations and mutations taking the lead.

We ourselves carry numerous laminate and veneer variations on the Shaker. Due to the Shaker cabinet front’s basic square frame and panel provides a ton of opportunities for creativity in cabinet design. So, while the traditional Shaker cabinet door might no longer be a chart-topper, it has inspired a ton of modern, traditional, and transitional variations.

Inset Doors and Cabinets

A growing trend we’ve seen with steadily growing appeal are Inset Cabinet Doors. Instead of full or partial door overlays, the Inset door seats inside the cabinet box face. This does require different kinds of hinges, but produces a snug look and feel that has a certain charm. With the cabinet doors sitting flush with the cabinet box the cabinet and overall kitchen design feels a little less clunky.

Modern Design Trends. Inset Kitchen Cabinets.
Custom Inset Kitchen Cabinets - Uncredited Manufacturer

There are ways to getting close to that Inset Cabinet Door look without springing for custom cabinets and hinges. For instance, if your budget and frugal senses drive you towards an IKEA Sektion Kitchen with their warranty, you can look into cabinet front profiles like the Shaker Inset. Going that route you get a full overlay cabinet front with an Inset look.

Glass Cabinet Door Inserts

For utility and style there is the return of the Glass Insert. Used almost exclusively in upper cabinets, the door frame, insert, and mullion options tend to be endless. While there are plenty of traditional designed kitchens that use these Glass Insert cabinet fronts, we are fascinated by creative modern designs.

Mesh Cabinet Door Inserts

In addition to traditional and modern glass insert cabinet doors folks are getting downright artistic and innovative with mesh inserts. From metal to burlap and metal, partially obscuring what’s in your cabinets, in style, adds a little mystery to your kitchen design.

Wooden shoe cabinet with black industrial metal mesh for ventila

Open Shelves

Since they look great and are more than just practical we are no strangers to Floating Shelves. Now, based on lighting and personal needs we are seeing folks use that open feel to implement various types of open shelving throughout their kitchens and living spaces. From new designs to restoring old cabinets and shelves, the options are nearly endless. We are excited to see what Designers and homeowners come up with in the coming years.

Modern Design Trends. Open Kitchen Shelving.

Creative Corner Cabinets

For upper corner cabinets we’re seeing a lot more Glass Inserts. For Corner Base Cabinets we’re seeing major innovations on how to optimize that space. Lazy Suzan? We would have to say that innovations like we’re seeing come about in opposition to laziness.

Kitchen Design Trends. Corner Cabinet Innovations.

Coming up with creative storage solutions are a great way to please homeowners. Corner base cabinets are one of the most neglected areas in a kitchen. From good lighting to not-so-lazy rack assemblies that maximize the use of that square footage, this is the no-longer forgotten frontier of kitchen design.

The Shaker Slim Goes Wild

Part Flat Panel, part Shaker, the Shaker Slim door leans very modern but is capable of adding the a more traditional kitchen design. A bit of a modern trickster, The Slim Shaker, Shaker Slim, Skinny Shaker, or Narrow Shaker is planted firmly at the top of the charts. Even though it’s near domination of kitchen design is only about 5 years old, designers and manufacturers are already developing some stunning variations.

Kitchen Design Trends for 2023 - Modern Kitchen Design
Custom European Shaker Slim Fronts w/ Variable Frame Size - Uncredited Manufacturer

Written by Todd Zimmerman

Producer of the John Webbccast