Estimated Read Time: 5 Minutes 

Kitchen design trends are constantly transforming and reshaping before our eyes. 

Rarely will trends emerge with little to no inspiration. Instead, trends are often built upon, year over year, continuously evolving as tastes and styles alter. 

That’s especially true for kitchen design trends. 

At Deslaurier, we specialize in manufacturing custom cabinets and work to provide our clients with their dream kitchens. With that, our award-winning in-house design team always makes sure to keep their finger on the pulse of the latest kitchen trends.

As you’ll see in this article, several popular cabinet colour trends from last year – such as warm wood tones or dark greens – are here to stay, but some new colours are beginning to trend as well.

Let’s take a look at 6 kitchen cabinet colour trends to look out for as we head into 2023!

1. Natural Wood Tone Cabinets 

For years, natural woods have been hidden behind coats of paint. But now, we are seeing a resurgence in embracing their natural wood colouring and letting the wood grain shine in the spotlight.

Natural wood cabinets provide a source of organic colour within the kitchen, ranging from the lightness of white oak, the rich reddish hues of cherry, or the darker browns of walnut. 

They also offer plenty of versatility. You can play with a vertical or horizontal wood grain, as well as light or dark stains. Further, you can add versatility with low or standard sheens. 

Not to mention wood's durability as a cabinet material. Have you ever been in an 80s oak kitchen? If you look past the orangey hues and dated ornate door panels, you’ll realize the cabinetry is still in excellent condition. 

Authentic wood is a highly practical material, lasting for decades with proper care. Plus, it’s a forgiving finish that withstands heavy use.

Add to that the beautiful wood grains and organic colouring and it’s easy to see why natural wood tone kitchen cabinets are so in-demand. 

See which wood species suits you best by checking out our kitchen cabinet comparisons:

• Red Oak vs. White Oak
• Cherry vs. Walnut
• Birch vs. Maple

2. White (And Off-White) Cabinets

White has been the most popular kitchen cabinet colour for decades and nothing about that is going to change in 2023 or beyond. 

White cabinets are one of the most timeless features you can have in a kitchen. While homeowners have been slightly veering away from them in recent years, white kitchen cabinets are a classic look that will never go out of style. 

If you’ve ever looked at paint swatches before, you likely noticed there is no shortage of white and off-white shades to choose from. While it can be overwhelming, it also means you have the opportunity to put a unique twist on the classic white cabinets. 

You can make your kitchen space bright and airy by pairing light-coloured walls and ceilings with white cabinets. It will make your kitchen feel more open, spacious, and inviting. 

Too bright for your taste? White cabinets also pair perfectly with dark flooring choices or bold kitchen countertop surfaces. Adding some bold accents to pair with classic white cabinets is a great way to incorporate some flair into a timeless kitchen feature. 

Of course, this isn’t to say white cabinets are exclusively a more traditional design piece. They simply have the most universal appeal when it comes to kitchen cabinet colours. If you’re trying to achieve a more modern kitchen aesthetic, including white cabinets in your design can be a great place to start! 

3. Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

While certainly not a new concept, two-tone kitchens are back in a big way. A lot of that popularity can be attributed to the prominence of the natural wood cabinets listed above. 

A two-tone kitchen design is when two sets of cabinets (wall uppers as one and base or island cabinets as another) are different colours. 

Think painted white uppers paired with dark, stained wood adorning the base cabinets; or bright white wall cabinets and a colourful kitchen island. 

These mix-and-match designs provide an exciting juxtaposition that breathes energy into the space. Two-tone kitchens allow homeowners to be a bit more daring in their kitchens while still encompassing classic design qualities that have universal appeal. 

Two-tone kitchens have been popular for years and are only going to increase in that regard moving forward.

Visit our Showcase page to see a two-tone kitchen in action thanks to Whimsical in Westboro!

4. Dark Green Cabinets

With that, let’s dive into some colourful selections! 

As you will notice throughout this list, 2023 is all about bringing warmth back into the kitchen. At the forefront of this movement are soft and welcoming cabinet tones.

And that is where dark greens emerge. 

Deep forest greens are becoming extremely popular in the kitchen cabinet world, and with good reason. They offer the warmth that homeowners are looking for but bring their own uniqueness as well. 

In fact, the world of interior design coined 2022 as “the year of green” and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down for 2023. 

Deep, dark greens provide both comfort and masculinity. There’s a certain depth and calmness that these colours bring to the space. 

Dark green cabinets are definitely something to look out for in 2023 kitchen designs and beyond!

5. Beige and Taupe Cabinets

Cultivating kitchen designs with warmth and softness is a driving force heading into 2023, and beige and taupe are the perfect hues to do just that. 

They’re a slight variation to white or off-white kitchens that are familiar yet add a uniquely subtle touch of colouring to the room. 

Utilizing beige and taupe is a good way to get colour into your kitchen if you prefer a softer shade and aren’t interested in going with the boldness of greens, blues, or black. 

Further, beige and taupe cabinets naturally pair well with lighter wood. These hues also allow for versatile countertop selections - meshing with both white surfaces and darker patterning.

6. Blue Kitchen Cabinets 

The kitchen can sometimes have a busy and hectic environment filled with activity from chaotic meal preparation to entertaining guests. Blue cabinets bring a calming touch and offer a feeling of relaxation in an otherwise energetic space of the house. 

From gentle sky blues to vibrant cobalt (pictured below), to a deep, dark navy, blue might offer the most versatile colour palette. You won’t be short on choices when it comes to selecting the perfect shade of blue. 

The best part is blue cabinets harmonize with virtually anything!

They make for the perfect complement to white or wood grain cabinets in a two-tone kitchen. Blue cabinets also pair well with kitchen appliances, whether they’re stainless steel, white, or black! 

See luscious blue kitchen cabinetry in action in our Winchester & Walnut showcase.

Design with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets

No matter what kitchen designs catch on in 2023 and beyond, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets is always a step ahead of the curve. We’ve got our finger on the pulse of homeowners’ needs. 

Whether it’s cutting-edge and vogue or traditional and timeless, a Deslaurier design is built to last for the long haul.

Our award-winning design team has helped countless homeowners reimagine their space—and you could be next. Check out our showcase to see our most recent work or book a consultation to visit us in person in Ottawa or Renfrew. 

Live outside of the Ottawa area? Find a dealer at a location near you. Interested in becoming an authorized Deslaurier dealer? Head to our Become a Dealer page to connect with us.