No, dark cabinets are not out of style. In fact, following years of all-white designs, deep rich wood tones, espresso finishes, and matte black cabinets have made a massive comeback. They are praised by designers for adding luxury, grounding, and dramatic depth to modern spaces.
I don't think any dark wood is outdated, I think what can be outdated is the style of the cabinet being at odds with the style of the house, and the hardware being mismatched. There are also certain colours and styles of accessories that go with dark wood and some that don't.
The all-white, cookie-cutter kitchen is officially out. For 2026, the biggest trend is "warm minimalism," focusing on natural wood grains and soft, earthy hues to create a lived-in, cozy feel.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Avoid high-maintenance stark whites, trend-heavy brights like candy apple red or lime green, and oppressive jet blacks which highlight every fingerprint. Instead of fleeting fads or clinical shades, opt for muted, versatile tones that bring warmth and longevity to your space.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
White remains the most popular kitchen cabinet color, but design trends are favoring warmer, earthier variations. Top choices include:
The most popular kitchen cabinet colors right now are warm off-whites, nature-inspired greens (like sage and olive), and rich wood tones like White Oak and Walnut. Stark whites and cool grays are fading in favor of these softer, earthier, and cozier alternatives.
Joanna Gaines' go-to paint colors for kitchen cabinets emphasize natural, earthy tones. She frequently uses warm, creamy whites on upper cabinets for an airy feel, and balances them with bold, deep greens, blues, or grays on lower cabinets for depth.
Kitchen designs are shifting away from stark, sterile minimalism to embrace "warm minimalism". This style focuses on creating cozy, inviting, and highly functional spaces by mixing natural materials, soft color palettes, and seamless smart technology.
Two-tone kitchen cabinets remain a leading design choice, with a focus on grounding the space and adding visual depth. The most popular approach features light, neutral uppers or natural wood shelves paired with rich, dark bases or a bold, contrasting island.
Beige, taupe, and "mushroom" neutrals are officially replacing the cool, sterile grays of the last decade. Designers are leaning into warm khakis, sandy beiges, creamy whites, and earthy tones that add a cozy, comforting energy to spaces.
The top cabinet color trends shift away from stark, cold whites and flat grays in favor of warmer, inviting spaces. The "new neutrals" like mushroom and taupe are taking over, alongside nature-inspired earthy tones like olive and sage green, deep oceanic blues, and soft, dramatic blacks. Additionally, natural wood—particularly white oak—is surging in popularity.
A kitchen is typically considered outdated when it suffers from a combination of failing appliances, poor lighting, worn-out surfaces, and an isolating, disjointed layout. Trends evolve, and what was once fashionable can make the entire heart of the home feel less functional and visually unappealing.
Dark kitchen cabinets are a massive style trend. Homeowners and designers are moving away from cold, all-white or gray kitchens in favor of richer, moodier colors and dramatic grain-forward woods like walnut, smoked oak, and mahogany.
Choosing between dark and light kitchen cabinets comes down to your kitchen's size, lighting, and your personal cleaning habits.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
Sherwin-Williams named Universal Khaki (SW 6150) as its 2026 Color of the Year. It is a warm, earthy, and foundational mid-tone tan designed to bring simplicity, warmth, and a tailored, timeless feel to any space.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
Kitchen paint trends are dominated by layered warmth, earthy neutrals, and rich, grounding tones that connect to nature. The stark, cool greys and bright whites of the past are being replaced by cozy, sophisticated colors designed to make spaces feel inviting and deeply rooted.
The 1/3 rule in cabinet design is an interior design guideline stating that a cabinet pull or handle should be approximately one-third the width of a drawer or one-third the height of a cabinet door. This ensures hardware is visually balanced and functional.
Neutral colors remain the top choice for kitchen cabinets because they provide a blank canvas for buyers. Whites, grays, and beiges are popular because they create a clean and fresh look. These tones also pair well with various design styles, making them a safe investment for resale.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
When it comes to kitchens, white, gray, blue, red, yellow, and green really shine. Each of these shades can do something different for the room, but they all help create a warm and welcoming space.
There are no rigid rules dictating whether your cabinets should be lighter or darker than the walls; it depends entirely on the size of your kitchen, the amount of natural light, and the overall vibe you want to achieve.