Home & DesignFEB 12, 2024

Brown Kitchen Cabinets in 2024: Are They In or Out?

Žydrūnė Trukanavičiūtė, Rutuja Dumbre and Eligijus Sinkunas

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Whether it’s earth, coffee, or chocolate, all the best things in the world come in shades of brown. It’s a warm, inviting color that doesn’t shout out its wonderful qualities like other vibrant colors. Instead, it’s a grounded and humble hue that effortlessly oozes elegance.

The earthy brown shade is a happy color that can bring balance and harmony when used in your interior design, especially in the best place in your house: the kitchen. After all, a kitchen is where all the magic happens, right? It deserves a warm environment, and brown kitchen cabinets help create just that!

Most brown kitchen cabinets are made from hardwood. So, besides giving a natural touch to your cooking space, hardwood is durable with a long life ahead. Another incredible perk to consider if you are remodeling or investing in new kitchen cabinets, isn’t it?

If the magnificent brown hue has enticed you with its earthy charm, we have collected splendid ideas to jazz up your kitchen. From dark to light or two-toned, here are brown kitchen cabinet ideas for your small or large cooking space.

#1 Experiment With Brown Shades

A light brown ceiling, dark brown shelves, and medium brown cabinets sync into this kitchen, creating a wholesome culinary space. To top it all off, the brown utensils lend a helping hand to make this a perfectly warm and inviting space. Find your brown shade to create the culinary space of your dreams.

thekitchendesigngroup

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33points

#2 Create Floor-To-Ceiling Harmony

Why stop at the cabinets? Let your kitchen give you a warm hug by pairing your brown cabinets with a wooden floor, walls, and ceiling. Two pendant lights provide a dramatic flare to this delightfully harmonized kitchen.

northworks_architects

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32points

#3 Try Light Brown Kitchen Cabinets For A Small Kitchen

To give an expansive look to your small kitchen, introduce light brown kitchen cabinets like the picture above. The cabinets also collaborate with the natural light without making it look too cramped, creating a pleasantly bright small space.

lighthouse_cabinetry

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30points

#4 Embrace Rustic Farmhouse Style

The cabinets in this farmhouse-style kitchen complement the rugged ceiling beams that add a rustic touch to the space. The wooden ceiling, cabinets, and floor cozily cocoon the pristine white walls and countertops, while the brass elements add a vintage spark.

lighthouse_cabinetry

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29points

#5 Go With Wooden Brown Kitchen Cabinets And White Tiles

The refreshing white tiles and shelves provide a perfect backdrop to display the rich brown cabinets. While the cabinets create an earthy space effortlessly, the brass pulls add a jazzy touch to this stunning kitchen.

yorktownecabinetry

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28points

#6 Pair Brown Kitchen Cabinets With Open Shelves

Brown kitchen cabinets and open shelves go hand in hand against a dark backdrop in this small kitchen. It also doubles as a home bar where drinks and glasses are available with just a stretch of the hand.

northworks_architects

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27points

#7 Experiment With Different Elements

The light brown cabinets pair well with the wooden dining area, creating a delightfully inviting aura. The light ceiling and black backdrop provide a brilliant contrast. And the unique hanging lights add an authentic touch. The different elements culminate into a lively and cheerful kitchen.

Jonathan Borba

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27points

#8 Let Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets Outshine The Light Wooden Floor

The light wooden floor lets the dark brown cabinets steal the glory in this loft kitchen. The warm brown accents and the natural light flooding in give this adorably small kitchen a spacious feel.

Beazy

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26points

#9 Go Moody With Modern Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets

A moody and intriguing kitchen is your go-to solution for an elegant house. Just look how easily these modern dark brown kitchen cabinets add charm to this stylish kitchen. The minimalist kitchen light fixtures also play along with the moody theme by introducing the game of lights and shadows.

tmrgr.interiors

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25points

#10 Highlight Brass Accents With Shaker Brown Kitchen Cabinets

Nothing screams classy than good old shaker cabinets. The light brown shaker cabinets in this kitchen pair with the ceiling beams, giving a pleasantly rustic feel to the design. The subtle brown tones also highlight the brass hanger, which is simply great for organization and a tidy look.

lighthouse_cabinetry

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24points

#11 Tone It Down To Focus On Other Elements

The light brown kitchen cabinets gracefully blend with the wooden ceiling. Meanwhile, the steel appliances, colorful hanging lights, and bright pink chairs are the real show-stoppers of this kitchen.

Max Rahubovskiy

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24points

#12 Revive The Retro Look

This retro kitchen is the perfect fit for the ones who often feel lost in nostalgia. The vintage brown cabinets and the eclectic decor give a nod to boho style, while tons of potted plants bring nature indoors.

meblove_abstrakcje

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23points

#13 Go Modern With Brown Aluminium Kitchen Cabinets

Brown aluminium kitchen cabinets are all the rage in the contemporary age. Their stylish look can pair perfectly with the wooden floor while giving the cooking space a luminous edge.

slickrick1114

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23points

#14 Adopt Minimalism For A Small Kitchen

The chic minimalist brown cabinets elevate this small and bright kitchen. The brass accessories and potted plants help balance the desired look, while a minimalist chandelier turns it into a stylish retreat.

lighthouse_cabinetry

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23points

#15 Collaborate Brown Kitchen Cabinets With Blue Walls

Brown and blue might sound like an odd combination, but it looks quite wonderful, as you can see in this kitchen. The midnight blue wall nestles between the glass-brown cabinets, creating a compelling space in this bright, airy kitchen.

lighthouse_cabinetry

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23points

#16 Pair Brown Kitchen Cabinets With A Vibrant Backsplash

The vibrant turquoise backsplash makes a bold statement when sandwiched between rich brown cabinets. A backsplash is a great way to add lively pops of color if you have all-white interiors.

hshinteriors

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23points

#17 Introduce Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets In A White Kitchen

Sure, a whitewashed kitchen looks classy, but how do you give it a timeless look? With brown kitchen cabinets, of course! Not only do they add interest to this kitchen, but they also bring about a soft and welcoming aura with the warm wooden accents.

Max Rahubovskiy

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23points

#18 Say Yes To Two-Tone Cabinetry

White kitchen cabinets paired with brown instantly add interest to this contemporary kitchen. An enigmatic black countertop brings harmony to the cooking space. At the same time, an indoor plant sits comfortably beside the cabinets, adding a much-needed green touch.

Max Rahubovskiy

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19points

#19 Try Modern Espresso Kitchen Cabinets With Granite Countertop

Coffee lovers, here’s your chance to bring the rich espresso hue to your kitchen. Despite the gleaming granite countertop and a pristine subway-tile backsplash, the modern espresso cabinets waste no time being the center of attention in this elegant kitchen.

1kennedyflatsct

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18points

#20 Make It Industrial

An exposed brick wall design fuses the industrial and modern in this cozy, neutral-toned kitchen. The stretcher bond pattern of the bricks introduces a geometrical texture, providing an edgy element to the cooking space.

madinteriordesignsg

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16points

Choosing the Right Wood Type and Finish

Choosing the right wood type is crucial when remodeling your kitchen or buying new cabinets. Consider factors like natural light, light fixtures (hanging or wall scones), the placing of the cabinets (above the countertop or surrounding the kitchen island), preferred shade (light, medium, or dark brown), or the general kitchen design (L-shaped, U-shaped, etc).

These will help you determine the perfect wood type for your kitchen cabinets. And once you have thought these things through, here are the wood options you can consider:Now that you have finalized the wood type, the next step is to decide on the right finish. It depends on the look you plan to give your kitchen: natural, glossy, or pristine. Here are some of the popular finishes you can choose from:

Natural finish: This trendy finish looks clear and displays the real color.
Painted finish: Choose your favorite hue to conceal wood grains or other imperfections of the cabinets with this finish.
Laminate finish: A cost-effective finish that is also durable and resistant to heat and moisture.
Acrylic finish: It’s a luxurious and glossy finish that reflects light, giving the kitchen a spacious look.
Veneer finish: This finish is made from natural wood, giving that much-desired natural look to your cabinets.

Veneer wood. Image credits: neutralsandnoire

Lacquer finish: This finish gives a smooth, even surface with a long-lasting gloss. It’s also durable and extremely easy to clean.
Waterborne ultraviolet (UV) finish: Designed to reduce the environmental impact, this finish is formaldehyde-hazard-free and scratch-resistant.
Membrane finish: Sturdy, long-lasting, and stylish, this finish is easy to care for and cheaper than acrylic.
Glazed finish: With an antique appeal, this finish is perfect to give a rustic look to your cabinets.
Polyurethane (PU) finish: Besides bringing a refined touch to your cabinets, this finish is also durable and resistant to water and scratches.

Are Brown Kitchen Cabinets in Style?

The versatility of the color brown is such that it can easily blend with other colors. So you don’t have to worry about how brown kitchen cabinets would look in, let’s say, a yellow or a blue kitchen. Moreover, brown is a classic color that never goes out of style. Probably the best way to give a timeless appeal to your kitchen.

These excellent qualities have definitely made it a favorite choice of many home-owners. The National Association of Home Builders (NABH) states that 26% of people in the US prefer medium brown kitchen cabinets. In comparison, 13% prefer dark brown kitchen cabinets.

So, to answer your question, yes, brown kitchen cabinets are definitely still in style. And if you want to stick to a traditional, farmhouse, or rustic theme (all are pretty popular!), brown kitchen cabinets are your one-stop solution!

Brown Kitchen Cabinets in 2024: Are They In or Out?

#1 Experiment With Brown Shades

#2 Create Floor-To-Ceiling Harmony

#3 Try Light Brown Kitchen Cabinets For A Small Kitchen

#4 Embrace Rustic Farmhouse Style

#5 Go With Wooden Brown Kitchen Cabinets And White Tiles

#6 Pair Brown Kitchen Cabinets With Open Shelves

#7 Experiment With Different Elements

#8 Let Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets Outshine The Light Wooden Floor

#9 Go Moody With Modern Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets

#10 Highlight Brass Accents With Shaker Brown Kitchen Cabinets

#11 Tone It Down To Focus On Other Elements

#12 Revive The Retro Look

#13 Go Modern With Brown Aluminium Kitchen Cabinets

#14 Adopt Minimalism For A Small Kitchen

#15 Collaborate Brown Kitchen Cabinets With Blue Walls

#16 Pair Brown Kitchen Cabinets With A Vibrant Backsplash

#17 Introduce Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets In A White Kitchen

#18 Say Yes To Two-Tone Cabinetry

#19 Try Modern Espresso Kitchen Cabinets With Granite Countertop

#20 Make It Industrial

Choosing the Right Wood Type and Finish

Are Brown Kitchen Cabinets in Style?

Popular Questions About Brown Kitchen Cabinets (FAQ)

What Wall Paint Goes Best With Brown Cabinets?

What Countertops for Brown Cabinets?

What Color Backsplash for Brown Cabinets?