9 Latest Cabinetry Looks at USA's Top 2020 Trade Shows
White and wood dominated cabinetry at USA's kitchen and bathroom fairs, but black, blue, green and grey made a comeback
Erin Carlyle
23 February 2020
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
Cabinets are a major part of Design & Construction Week in the USA, and this year in Las Vegas brands showcased up-and-coming colours as Shaker and flat-fronted cabinetry styles continued to dominate. Some companies veered away from popular white and timber cabinet finishes and displayed dark dramatic colours including blues, greens and interesting neutrals. Storage-focused companies also launched some new products for cabinet interiors.
Read on to see the latest offerings at the January 2020 International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the two events that comprise the annual Design & Construction Week.
Read on to see the latest offerings at the January 2020 International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the two events that comprise the annual Design & Construction Week.
This kitchen display in the Bosch booth at IBS featured warm white Shaker cabinetry. Design by Michele Youell of Natural Domain Interiors in Henderson, Nevada. Image from Bosch
Shaker style has been popular for years now. Based on the offerings at Design & Construction Week, that doesn’t look likely to change in the near future. Flat-fronted designs were also seen throughout the show.
1. White cabinets still reign
White cabinets are a popular choice for homeowners. At the show, cabinet manufacturers also reported that white was their top-selling cabinetry finish.
The vignette in this image is from the Bosch booth at IBS and was notable for its warm white cabinetry. By contrast, many of the cabinets on display throughout Design & Construction Week had cooler white finishes.
Shaker style has been popular for years now. Based on the offerings at Design & Construction Week, that doesn’t look likely to change in the near future. Flat-fronted designs were also seen throughout the show.
1. White cabinets still reign
White cabinets are a popular choice for homeowners. At the show, cabinet manufacturers also reported that white was their top-selling cabinetry finish.
The vignette in this image is from the Bosch booth at IBS and was notable for its warm white cabinetry. By contrast, many of the cabinets on display throughout Design & Construction Week had cooler white finishes.
At KBIS, Green Forest Cabinetry displayed white perimeter cabinetry along with its newest colour on the island base: Norfolk Blue. Image from Green Forest Cabinetry
“Our number one, number two and number three best-selling finishes are white, white and white,” says John K. Morgan, CEO of Green Forest Cabinetry.
Is it time to upgrade your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz for a fresh and timeless look
“Our number one, number two and number three best-selling finishes are white, white and white,” says John K. Morgan, CEO of Green Forest Cabinetry.
Is it time to upgrade your kitchen? Find a kitchen designer and renovator near you on Houzz for a fresh and timeless look
Visitors to the US Cabinet Depot booth at KBIS point to the company’s Shaker Antique White door. Image from US Cabinet Depot
A representative for US Cabinet Depot said the company’s top-selling cabinetry door colours and styles are respectively Shaker White, Shaker Dove (a light grey), Shaker Grey (a dark grey), Shaker Cinder (a grey stain), and Torrance White (a style similar to Shaker but with bevelled panels). Note that four of the top five sellers for US Cabinet Depot are Shaker style.
A representative for US Cabinet Depot said the company’s top-selling cabinetry door colours and styles are respectively Shaker White, Shaker Dove (a light grey), Shaker Grey (a dark grey), Shaker Cinder (a grey stain), and Torrance White (a style similar to Shaker but with bevelled panels). Note that four of the top five sellers for US Cabinet Depot are Shaker style.
A white-and-wood kitchen display in the Samsung booth at KBIS. Image from Samsung
2. Timber and timber-look cabinets featured strongly
For renovated kitchens and bathrooms, timber tones are a popular choice, and second only to white. Cabinet makers and design-forward appliance brands at Design & Construction Week had timber and wood-look materials on display in a range of colours.
2. Timber and timber-look cabinets featured strongly
For renovated kitchens and bathrooms, timber tones are a popular choice, and second only to white. Cabinet makers and design-forward appliance brands at Design & Construction Week had timber and wood-look materials on display in a range of colours.
A Thermador kitchen design at IBS featured glossy grey-toned timber-look laminate cabinets. Design by Michele Youell of Natural Domain Interiors. Image from Thermador
Wellborn Cabinet showed off its wood-look melamine in two new finishes, launched last year, in this bathroom display at KBIS. Biscotti Cherry is the pale timber finish on the upper and lower cabinets, and Terra Oak is the dark timber tone on the floating vanity and bench seat. Image from Wellborn Cabinet
Successfully Mix Timber Types (and Avoid the Ski Lodge Look)
Successfully Mix Timber Types (and Avoid the Ski Lodge Look)
White Driftwood wood-look laminate from Wilsonart in a bathroom vignette. Image from Wilsonart
This year at KBIS, laminate maker Wilsonart debuted its new cabinet doors with 20 made-to-order designs for doors and drawer fronts. Homeowners and professionals can order the doors to pair with cabinetry carcasses.
This year at KBIS, laminate maker Wilsonart debuted its new cabinet doors with 20 made-to-order designs for doors and drawer fronts. Homeowners and professionals can order the doors to pair with cabinetry carcasses.
Signature Kitchen Suite displayed this bronze-toned dark timber cabinetry in a kitchen vignette at KBIS. Image from Signature Kitchen Suite
Liebherr showed off wood grain and dark marble looks for the appliances and cabinets in its KBIS booth. Image by Erin Carlyle
3. Brands showcased dark, dramatic cabinetry colours
While white and wood are popular cabinetry colours, KBIS and IBS give brands the chance to showcase alternatives and up-and-coming trends. This year, dark joinery appeared in booths from cabinet manufacturers and other companies. This image shows Liebherr’s kitchen booth, a German-based appliances company, with cabinetry from German manufacturer Bauformat.
3. Brands showcased dark, dramatic cabinetry colours
While white and wood are popular cabinetry colours, KBIS and IBS give brands the chance to showcase alternatives and up-and-coming trends. This year, dark joinery appeared in booths from cabinet manufacturers and other companies. This image shows Liebherr’s kitchen booth, a German-based appliances company, with cabinetry from German manufacturer Bauformat.
Nobilia’s booth at KBIS showcased the brand’s elegant dark kitchen cabinetry. Image by Erin Carlyle
German brand Nobilia featured this rich black flat-fronted kitchen furniture, the European approach to cabinetry. Unlike American cabinets built into a home, Nobilia’s cabinets are designed to be removable and taken to a new home if and when the homeowner moves.
German brand Nobilia featured this rich black flat-fronted kitchen furniture, the European approach to cabinetry. Unlike American cabinets built into a home, Nobilia’s cabinets are designed to be removable and taken to a new home if and when the homeowner moves.
GE Monogram featured dark cabinetry with an inset green panel at its kitchen booth, which was set up for cooking demonstrations at KBIS. Image by Erin Carlyle
Dark and Handsome: New Looks for Kitchen Cabinets and Benchtops
Dark and Handsome: New Looks for Kitchen Cabinets and Benchtops
Dacor featured nearly black flat-fronted charcoal cabinets with white veining, offset by a light timber finish. Image from Dacor
This vignette in Electrolux’s KBIS booth featured maple wood perimeter cabinets in an iron finish with a brushed grey glaze, and island base cabinets with a vintage driftwood finish. Design by Susan Hill of Susan Hill Interior Design. Image from Electrolux
Signature Kitchen Suite offered a twist on the dark-cabinetry look with a booth featuring timber cabinets with black panels.
Thermador’s IBS booth featured thin-framed Shaker-style cabinetry. Design by Michele Youell of Natural Domain Interiors. Image from Thermador
4. Blue and green cabinets were firm favourites
Plenty of blue joinery was on display from both cabinet manufacturers and appliance brands at KBIS and IBS. This image shows teal-blue cabinetry in a kitchen vignette at IBS from appliance brand Thermador.
4. Blue and green cabinets were firm favourites
Plenty of blue joinery was on display from both cabinet manufacturers and appliance brands at KBIS and IBS. This image shows teal-blue cabinetry in a kitchen vignette at IBS from appliance brand Thermador.
Samsung’s booth at KBIS featured cabinets in a variety of colours, including the blue cabinets shown in this booth. Image by Erin Carlyle
US Cabinet Depot showcased blue flat-fronted cabinetry and wavy tiles in this KBIS booth. Image from US Cabinet Depot
How to Create a Timeless Blue and White Scheme
How to Create a Timeless Blue and White Scheme
Wellborn Cabinet displayed a farmhouse-style cottage kitchen at KBIS, with forest-green cabinets and timber accents. Image from Wellborn Cabinet
Some displays at Design & Construction Week featured green cabinets, including this booth.
Some displays at Design & Construction Week featured green cabinets, including this booth.
Delta showed off a more muted green in this kitchen vignette at KBIS
30 Soft Green Spaces to Soothe the Soul
30 Soft Green Spaces to Soothe the Soul
Liebherr featured concrete-look cabinetry that sheathed its appliances at KBIS. Cabinetry from German brand Bauformat. Image from Liebherr
5. Unique concrete, metallic and stone looks
While the vast majority of cabinets showcased at Design & Construction Week were timber, timber-look, painted timber or timber veneer, brands still offered some interesting alternatives. This image shows concrete-look joinery on integrated appliances and cabinetry in a display from appliance maker Liebherr. The cabinets are by German brand Bauformat.
5. Unique concrete, metallic and stone looks
While the vast majority of cabinets showcased at Design & Construction Week were timber, timber-look, painted timber or timber veneer, brands still offered some interesting alternatives. This image shows concrete-look joinery on integrated appliances and cabinetry in a display from appliance maker Liebherr. The cabinets are by German brand Bauformat.
Kohler’s KBIS booth featured the Robern Profiles Freestanding vanity in polished stainless steel with reeded-glass cabinet fronts. Image by Erin Carlyle
Nobilia featured its Inox brushed-steel finish at Design & Construction Week. The finish is a laminate that mimics the look of brushed steel. Image from Nobilia
Nobilia also featured its Stone Art finish, a laminate that imitates the look of natural stone. Image from Nobilia
US Cabinet Depot’s booth at KBIS featured grey Shaker cabinetry. Image from US Cabinet Depot
6. Greys and neutrals
Manufacturers had plenty of grey on display – as well as other neutral colours. This image shows US Cabinet Depot’s Shaker Dove profile doors with a custom range hood finished in Shaker Cinder stain.
6. Greys and neutrals
Manufacturers had plenty of grey on display – as well as other neutral colours. This image shows US Cabinet Depot’s Shaker Dove profile doors with a custom range hood finished in Shaker Cinder stain.
Thermador dubbed this vignette at its IBS booth a ‘cloffice’ – a combination of a closet and office. It featured an under-bench wine cooler, refrigerator and freezer drawers for high-end cosmetics, a coffee station and sparkly taupe cabinets. Design by Michele Youell of Natural Domain Interiors. Image from Thermador
Delta selected yellow to highlight this kitchen vignette at KBIS. Image by Erin Carlyle
7. Yellow shone a ray of sunshine
While we can’t say for sure whether this is a trend, Houzz saw yellow on cabinets at three booths throughout KBIS and IBS. This kitchen vignette in Delta’s booth featured pops of sunny colour on the back of the display kitchen’s island, cabinetry kickboards, and the interiors of the glass-fronted upper cabinets.
7. Yellow shone a ray of sunshine
While we can’t say for sure whether this is a trend, Houzz saw yellow on cabinets at three booths throughout KBIS and IBS. This kitchen vignette in Delta’s booth featured pops of sunny colour on the back of the display kitchen’s island, cabinetry kickboards, and the interiors of the glass-fronted upper cabinets.
Salice America, a maker of cabinet hinges, displayed this deep-yellow cabinetry in addition to another paler yellow display at KBIS, which had been sent from the parent company in Italy
Splashes of Yellow Bring on the Summer Sun
Splashes of Yellow Bring on the Summer Sun
Wellborn Cabinet featured its frameless cabinet boxes at KBIS. Image from Wellborn Cabinet
8. Frameless or full-access cabinetry
Some booths were highlighting their frameless cabinetry, which gives the homeowner greater access to the interior of a cabinet compared with traditional American framed cabinet boxes.
European-style cabinet boxes, by contrast, are frameless, and the door hinges are attached directly to the cabinetry carcasses. This image shows Wellborn Cabinet’s Aspire full-access frameless cabinets.
8. Frameless or full-access cabinetry
Some booths were highlighting their frameless cabinetry, which gives the homeowner greater access to the interior of a cabinet compared with traditional American framed cabinet boxes.
European-style cabinet boxes, by contrast, are frameless, and the door hinges are attached directly to the cabinetry carcasses. This image shows Wellborn Cabinet’s Aspire full-access frameless cabinets.
US Cabinet Depot also featured full-access frameless cabinetry at KBIS
Best of the Week: 21 Examples of Fabulous Kitchen Joinery
Best of the Week: 21 Examples of Fabulous Kitchen Joinery
Häfele’s new Smartcube open storage system can be used for kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes and other locations in the home. Image from Häfele
9. Smart, customisable storage for bathrooms and kitchens
Both cabinet manufacturers and brands including Rev-A-Shelf and Häfele showed storage solutions that help organise cabinets. Häfele debuted its new modular Smartcube open storage system. Designers can customise projects to their desired lengths and use their own shelf materials to match surrounding cabinetry. The system comes in black and stainless-steel finishes.
9. Smart, customisable storage for bathrooms and kitchens
Both cabinet manufacturers and brands including Rev-A-Shelf and Häfele showed storage solutions that help organise cabinets. Häfele debuted its new modular Smartcube open storage system. Designers can customise projects to their desired lengths and use their own shelf materials to match surrounding cabinetry. The system comes in black and stainless-steel finishes.
Elkay showed a concept sink – not yet released – for the kitchen, which has three drawers that wrap around the kitchen plumbing and is designed to store supplies efficiently. Image by Erin Carlyle
A Kitchen Designer Reveals 17 Details to Make a Great Kitchen
A Kitchen Designer Reveals 17 Details to Make a Great Kitchen
Rev-A-Shelf also showed off its new tiered deep drawer for 76- and 90-centimetre cabinets. It has two storage levels and three compartments. Image from Rev-A-Shelf
Häfele has a drawer organisation system that it showed at KBIS, though it is not a new product. Here are some of the dividers for deep drawers that are part of Häfele’s Fineline drawer organisation system.
DXV featured its walnut and Carrara marble Belshire collection vanities, which have clever drawer maximising storage around the plumbing fixtures. Image by Erin Carlyle
Rev-A-Shelf showed a vanity organiser cabinet pullout with storage to hold hair dryers as well as power points to plug them in. This product was shown last year but was not released until this year’s KBIS trade fair. Image from Rev-A-Shelf
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I see the strong colours used in USA as conservative and safe. They have traditionally used dark, clunky look. Different places have different styles and I personally prefer our varied, overall lighter look.
For... Kimber Feece, A Smith & Noble In-Home Designer
The dark color in the kitchen for so many years ... it feels like mired in a swamp ...
Are you a young designer ?
So nice to see something other than stark white kitchens! Much prefer the wood.