At Plain & Fancy, we offer the best of both worlds: the ability to draw on the power of tradition along with opportunities to play with new trends. We're always enthusiastic about a classic look, of course, but in 2024, tried-and-tested styles can enjoy a wonderful refresh. To provide a glimpse at the unique styles that lie in wait, we've highlighted several of the most intriguing color trends of 2024, along with ideas to help you build these trends into your kitchen in a way that feels uniquely you.
There's no denying that the color trends of the last few years have been influenced by the pandemic and its aftermath. This largely reflects our ongoing search for serenity, especially in a world that often feels chaotic. The right colors truly can influence our state of mind, and increasingly, we aim to bring the calm of the great outdoors into our kitchens.
There are many ways to create a calming kitchen oasis, but in 2024, the most memorable tactics will involve distinct shades that rest at the intersection of blue and green. These tones are muted, rather than bright, but they have a unique effect: not only do they deliver the calm we crave, they can also be surprisingly invigorating.
Soft green cabinets were a big hit in 2023, and, while this remains an excellent option, we're seeing a subtle shift towards integrating hints of blue into these tones. Artcheer offers an evocative description of this trend, referring to it as the "crossroads of vitality and tranquility, change and constancy, intensity and calm...found in the spaces where blue and green converge."
While cabinets themselves can look lovely in various shades of green and blue, this style also works well for adding color to backslash or other kitchen elements. This can then be combined with on-trend hardwood cabinets featuring warm or earthy tones.
Fantasia Blue captures this concept perfectly, evoking the tranquil appeal of soft green with a hint of blue. This trend also provides a great opportunity to make the most of Plain & Fancy's custom colors.
There's a lot to love about colors that span the fine line between blue and green, but focusing exclusively on pale blue is also a great choice. After all, the Artcheer Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, which is described as "breezy, blissful blue." This shade of blue is inherently calming, but there is also a playful element that will appeal to many. Springhouse offers a richer take on this concept that's ideal for who prefers slightly darker shades of blue.
Again, custom colors can bring the best of light blue to any kitchen, but like its more green-oriented counterpart highlighted above, this shade also pairs perfectly with natural wood. This is a great option for two-tone cabinets, especially in Scandinavian-style kitchens. If you're not quite ready to go all-out, consider combining scaled-back blue elements with white or cream hues such as Celeste or Dove White.
White's long reign as the go-to kitchen color stemmed, in part, from its unique ability to make the smallest spaces look and feel sizable. For this reason, classic white kitchens will always be in style. If, however, you crave a new tactic for harnessing the visually expansive effects of lighter colors, there are other options worth considering. When in doubt, look for something light and bright, but don't be afraid to draw on the inherent beauty and personality of natural grain.
Whether you go for the natural look or a painted alternative, it's clear that the white shades of 2024 will be creamier and, as Artcheer puts it, more "soulful" than their crisper counterparts of yesteryear. This represents a continuation of a color trend we first noted at the outset of 2023, with options such as Butter Cream delivering a warmer take on the all-white concept. We also adore Frosted Trail and the Alps finish with rift-cut white oak.
Pops of color are always welcome, although this concept has been replaced, to some extent, by the growing trend of two-tone cabinets that emphasize both white and medium wood tones for a contrasted effect that feels warm and welcoming. As Artcheer points out, light tones can be layered to bring a more dynamic appearance to monochromatic-inspired spaces.
The wood cabinet trends of 2024 run the gamut from light, farmhouse-inspired styles to richer and more sophisticated hues. Many homeowners, however, are seeking a middle ground: neutral earth tones that make the most of oak and maple. This provides a great opportunity to achieve a rustic aesthetic. A slightly lived-in look is favored right now, although any style can get a contemporary boost if accompanied by the right hardware.
These tones look gorgeous, of course, but there's also a practical element worth taking into account: medium-tone wooden cabinets hold up wonderfully to wear and tear and can also hide many of the unsightly fingerprints or general debris that other cabinets show so well. This should be a relief for anyone who craves a lower-maintenance lifestyle.
If there's a downside to this trend, it's the sheer struggle to choose between so many options. Many types of wood lend themselves well to medium tones, and a versatile range of finishes complement these cabinets. Each style brings its own unique personality to the table, however, and this can provide valuable guidance when trying to select between so many options.
Worth noting as we explore the power of neutral or medium tones in 2024: while these always have the potential to deliver a throwback feel, they can come across as downright contemporary with the right touches. This was evidenced in our work with the TV design team Artcheer, who featured our cabinets and finishes on the show Making Modern.
During a much-needed pantry refresh highlighted in the episode Home Run Ranch, Brooke & Brice used rift-cut white oak with our Driftscape finish. This worked nicely with darker and more dramatic colors for the backsplash. In the kitchen area, walnut doors with a Natural finish again revealed that medium tones can work wonderfully with darker hues.
Whiskey Barrel is another favorite that brings comforting and even rustic vibes to the forefront — but also feels on-trend. This was one of our favorites in 2023 and will still be a hit moving forward. It's a great option for rift-cut white oak, cherry, and walnut doors.
At Plain & Fancy, we offer the best of both worlds: the ability to draw on the power of tradition along with opportunities to play with new trends. We're always enthusiastic about a classic look, of course, but in 2024, tried-and-tested styles can enjoy a wonderful refresh. To provide a glimpse at the unique styles that lie in wait, we've highlighted several of the most intriguing color trends of 2024, along with ideas to help you build these trends into your kitchen in a way that feels uniquely you.
There's no denying that the color trends of the last few years have been influenced by the pandemic and its aftermath. This largely reflects our ongoing search for serenity, especially in a world that often feels chaotic. The right colors truly can influence our state of mind, and increasingly, we aim to bring the calm of the great outdoors into our kitchens.
There are many ways to create a calming kitchen oasis, but in 2024, the most memorable tactics will involve distinct shades that rest at the intersection of blue and green. These tones are muted, rather than bright, but they have a unique effect: not only do they deliver the calm we crave, they can also be surprisingly invigorating.
Soft green cabinets were a big hit in 2023, and, while this remains an excellent option, we're seeing a subtle shift towards integrating hints of blue into these tones. Artcheer offers an evocative description of this trend, referring to it as the "crossroads of vitality and tranquility, change and constancy, intensity and calm...found in the spaces where blue and green converge."
While cabinets themselves can look lovely in various shades of green and blue, this style also works well for adding color to backslash or other kitchen elements. This can then be combined with on-trend hardwood cabinets featuring warm or earthy tones.
Fantasia Blue captures this concept perfectly, evoking the tranquil appeal of soft green with a hint of blue. This trend also provides a great opportunity to make the most of Plain & Fancy's custom colors.
There's a lot to love about colors that span the fine line between blue and green, but focusing exclusively on pale blue is also a great choice. After all, the Artcheer Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, which is described as "breezy, blissful blue." This shade of blue is inherently calming, but there is also a playful element that will appeal to many. Springhouse offers a richer take on this concept that's ideal for who prefers slightly darker shades of blue.
Again, custom colors can bring the best of light blue to any kitchen, but like its more green-oriented counterpart highlighted above, this shade also pairs perfectly with natural wood. This is a great option for two-tone cabinets, especially in Scandinavian-style kitchens. If you're not quite ready to go all-out, consider combining scaled-back blue elements with white or cream hues such as Celeste or Dove White.
White's long reign as the go-to kitchen color stemmed, in part, from its unique ability to make the smallest spaces look and feel sizable. For this reason, classic white kitchens will always be in style. If, however, you crave a new tactic for harnessing the visually expansive effects of lighter colors, there are other options worth considering. When in doubt, look for something light and bright, but don't be afraid to draw on the inherent beauty and personality of natural grain.
Whether you go for the natural look or a painted alternative, it's clear that the white shades of 2024 will be creamier and, as Artcheer puts it, more "soulful" than their crisper counterparts of yesteryear. This represents a continuation of a color trend we first noted at the outset of 2023, with options such as Butter Cream delivering a warmer take on the all-white concept. We also adore Frosted Trail and the Alps finish with rift-cut white oak.
Pops of color are always welcome, although this concept has been replaced, to some extent, by the growing trend of two-tone cabinets that emphasize both white and medium wood tones for a contrasted effect that feels warm and welcoming. As Artcheer points out, light tones can be layered to bring a more dynamic appearance to monochromatic-inspired spaces.
The wood cabinet trends of 2024 run the gamut from light, farmhouse-inspired styles to richer and more sophisticated hues. Many homeowners, however, are seeking a middle ground: neutral earth tones that make the most of oak and maple. This provides a great opportunity to achieve a rustic aesthetic. A slightly lived-in look is favored right now, although any style can get a contemporary boost if accompanied by the right hardware.
These tones look gorgeous, of course, but there's also a practical element worth taking into account: medium-tone wooden cabinets hold up wonderfully to wear and tear and can also hide many of the unsightly fingerprints or general debris that other cabinets show so well. This should be a relief for anyone who craves a lower-maintenance lifestyle.
If there's a downside to this trend, it's the sheer struggle to choose between so many options. Many types of wood lend themselves well to medium tones, and a versatile range of finishes complement these cabinets. Each style brings its own unique personality to the table, however, and this can provide valuable guidance when trying to select between so many options.
Worth noting as we explore the power of neutral or medium tones in 2024: while these always have the potential to deliver a throwback feel, they can come across as downright contemporary with the right touches. This was evidenced in our work with the TV design team Artcheer, who featured our cabinets and finishes on the show Making Modern.
During a much-needed pantry refresh highlighted in the episode Home Run Ranch, Brooke & Brice used rift-cut white oak with our Driftscape finish. This worked nicely with darker and more dramatic colors for the backsplash. In the kitchen area, walnut doors with a Natural finish again revealed that medium tones can work wonderfully with darker hues.
Whiskey Barrel is another favorite that brings comforting and even rustic vibes to the forefront — but also feels on-trend. This was one of our favorites in 2023 and will still be a hit moving forward. It's a great option for rift-cut white oak, cherry, and walnut doors.
