Brown kitchen cabinets are like the old, trusty friend in your kitchen. They’ve been around forever, and there’s a good reason why people still love them today. What makes brown cabinets a go-to choice for so many? Rich brown kitchen cabinets create coziness with a distinct impact. On the other hand, lighter brown shades bring a soft touch of warmth to the home. Brown wood cabinets, with visible grain patterns or knots, add an organic element to designs. Brown kitchen cabinets are a versatile and timeless choice for your kitchen.

Of course, like any timeless trend, there are ways to modernize and keep the trend feeling fresh rather than outdated. That’s where our expert design ideas come in. If you are debating brown kitchen cabinets, here are 15 design ideas to help you decide!

1. Dark Brown Pantry Drawers with Arched Shelving

Traditional dark brown pantry drawers with modern arched shelving is a beautiful modern design – and not at all your typical wire shelf pantry. The arched shelving not only provides a unique visual appeal but also maximizes storage capacity, allowing you to neatly organize all your pantry essentials. Brown cabinet drawers add depth and elegance, with stunning gold hardware.

2. Cool Tone Brown Cabinets with Stone Accents

Cool-tone brown cabinets in shades like cool taupe or soft mocha, introduce a calm and contemporary ambiance to your home. Stone accents, such as a sleek marble countertop or a textured stone island, create a seamless blend of natural elements. The cool-toned browns beautifully pair with the stone’s cool, earthy hues, resulting in a balanced and visually pleasing kitchen.

3. Modern Warm Brown Kitchen Cabinets

These cabinets effortlessly blend contemporary design with a touch of timeless comfort. The versatility of warm brown kitchen cabinets really shines through when you pair them with sleek stainless steel appliances for a chic, urban look, or contrast them with light-colored countertops and backsplashes to create a bright, open feeling in your kitchen. The warm brown tones create an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for hosting and well, living life comfortably. With sleek, clean lines and minimalist hardware, modern warm brown cabinets strike the right balance between sophistication and hominess.

4. Floor to Ceiling Light Brown Kitchen Cabinets

Floor-to-ceiling light brown kitchen cabinets are practical and can be less overwhelming than dark brown cabinets. They provide ample storage but also create a seamless, visually pleasing look in your kitchen. The light brown stain colour brings warmth and a sense of airiness to the space, making it feel inviting and spacious.

To complement these cabinets, you can opt for light-colored countertops and backsplashes to maintain a bright and open atmosphere. Adding texture and mixed material elements can create a striking visual impact, without adding heaviness.

5. Warm Brown Pantry with Green Backsplash

A warm brown pantry and green backsplash is a delightful fusion of earthy comfort and fresh vibrancy, tucked away as a pleasant surprise. The warm brown tones of the pantry exude a sense of coziness and rustic charm, creating a welcoming niche for all your pantry essentials. These warm hues evoke a feeling of home and tradition, making every visit to the pantry a comforting experience.

Now, pair that warm brown with a green backsplash, and you’ve got a visually striking contrast. The green tile adds a refreshing contemporary burst of color and energy. Together, the warm brown pantry and green backsplash create a harmonious balance between comforting and invigorating.

6. Brown Kitchen Cabinets with White Countertops

Dark kitchen cabinets paired with white countertops create a timeless and striking contrast that elevates any kitchen space. The deep, rich tones of the cabinets introduce a sense of warmth and sophistication.

This combination offers incredible versatility in terms of style. You can opt for a traditional look by incorporating classic hardware and vintage-inspired fixtures, or go for a sleek and minimalist vibe with modern accents. Dark brown cabinets with white countertops allow you to play with various design elements, from traditional to transitional to ultra-modern. A popular choice that feels updated and refreshed.

7. Dark Brown Cabinets with Glam Chrome Accents

Dark kitchen cabinets paired with glamorous chrome and sparkly accents create a stunning, glamorous kitchen. These cabinets, with their deep, rich tones, set a luxurious backdrop for crystal chandeliers, mirrored or pearly backsplashes, and metallic chrome hardware.

The contrast between the dark brown cabinets and the glamorous accents creates visual drama. It’s a play of light and dark, of cozy elegance and dazzling allure. This combination is perfect for those who appreciate a touch of extravagance in their everyday life.

8. Light Brown Cabinets in an Island

A light brown island is a breath of fresh air and warmth to your kitchen. The light brown tone adds an organic feel to the home (in a more subtle way than going for a full wall of wood cabinets) and is often paired with melamine or painted wood cabinets – something with clean lines and a smooth finish.

The versatility of light brown cabinets allows them to blend seamlessly with various design styles. Whether your kitchen leans towards a rustic farmhouse aesthetic, modern, minimalist vibe, or a transitional in-between, these cabinets adapt with ease. The wood accent island is a great way to tie in wood flooring, floating shelves, or other organic elements into the design.

9. Light Brown Doors with White Cabinetry

Light brown cabinet doors paired with white cabinetry beautifully highlights the items displayed within. The cabinet doors, with their gentle and warm tones, introduce a touch of natural elegance to the space. They stand out as a focal point alongside the white cabinetry brightening and opening up the kitchen, making it feel airy and spacious. If you can’t decide between wood and white, try doing both!

10. Wood Kitchen Cabinets Paired with White & Beige

Mid-tone wood kitchen cabinets are a timeless choice. Brown stained cabinets are inviting, and it’s against this backdrop that the white and beige elements provide a fresh, airy contrast. The beige island adds warmth in a fresh, contemporary way. We continue to see warm tones in 2023 and we think this trend will continue into 2024.

11. Traditional Dark Brown Kitchen China Cabinet

A traditional dark brown china cabinet is the embodiment of timeless elegance and craftsmanship. The warm wood tones are beautifully contrasted by pale blue custom cabinetry. The china cabinet not only serves as a functional storage solution but also stands as a classic design statement in any kitchen. The deep, rich brown finish exudes a sense of warmth and sophistication, creating a focal point that exudes tradition and heritage.

12. Black and Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets

The combination of these two rich, deep colors creates a statement in your kitchen. The dark brown cabinets bring warmth and a sense of tradition, while the black cabinets introduce a touch of modernity and drama.

This pairing allows for a versatile design palette. You can opt for a contemporary look by emphasizing clean lines and minimalistic hardware, or infuse a classic charm with vintage-inspired fixtures and accessories.

13. Modern Flat Panel Dark Brown Kitchen Cabinets

Modern flat panel dark brown kitchen cabinets epitomize contemporary design. These cabinets boast sleek, clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic that brings a sense of simplicity and elegance to your kitchen. The flat panel design provides a smooth and uncluttered surface, making them easy to clean and maintain, ideal for today’s busy lifestyles. Choosing modern flat panel dark brown kitchen cabinets embraces a contemporary aesthetic that values both functionality and style.

14. Two-Tone White and Brown Kitchen Cabinets

These cabinets create a striking visual statement, while white and wood are considered neutrals, they are opposite in feel. The upper cabinets in pristine white add a sense of brightness, making the kitchen feel open and airy, while the lower brown cabinets ground the space with their rich, earthy tones.

This combination allows for endless design possibilities. Two-tone cabinets offer a unique canvas for creative design, letting you experiment with various textures, materials, and colors to personalize your kitchen to your liking.

15. Brown Kitchen Cabinets with Floating Shelves

Brown kitchen cabinets from floor to ceiling can feel too heavy for some. Floating shelves open up a space, while still offering some function: allowing you to display your favorite cookware, dishes, or decorative items. It’s a play of structure and openness, offering both storage and an opportunity for creative decoration. You can use the shelves to showcase plants, colorful dishes, or culinary essentials, adding a personal touch to your kitchen’s decor.

This combination offers a versatile design that suits various styles, from industrial chic to eclectic charm. The floating shelves provide a canvas for your imagination, letting you curate your kitchen’s visual story.

Ready for your kitchen remodel?

Ready for your dream kitchen? You can purchase Decor Cabinets from a Design Centre near you. Whether you are looking for a modern kitchen or something more traditional, a Decor designer can give you a functional plan that suits your home.

New kitchen cabinets are a must needed component to a kitchen remodel, renovation, or even new build kitchen. A large storage compartment that holds dishes, food, tools, and appliances, the cabinet itself is a simple, yet crucial fixture. Available in many popular styles from traditional to modern, and in a variety of materials like hardwood and quality laminate, the options one has for cabinets in 2023 is ever growing.

While simple in concept, there are many ways to go about designing and outfitting cabinets for your kitchen. From ready to assemble cabinets (RTA) to fully custom kitchens, there are many retailers, contractors, and design centers to choose from.

In this article we will be discussing why you would want to choose custom cabinets over ready to assemble cabinets. But first let’s revisit what RTA cabinets are…

What are RTA kitchen cabinets?

Much as the name would suggest, ready to assemble cabinets come in flat boxes and are constructed on site. RTA cabinets are produced in large quantities and are available in standard sizes and heights. They are a great option for a basic kitchen without any custom needs or requests. You can find RTA cabinets at big box hardware stores and online cabinet retailers.

While some semi-custom options exist, purchasing RTA cabinets is not as tailored or hands-free of a process as choosing the fully custom or pre-assembled cabinet route.

How much do RTA cabinets cost?

The cost (or labor) of assembly and installation is left up to the homeowners, making the up front cost of the cabinet cheaper, since this job is not done before shipping like with pre-fabricated cabinets. They are often manufactured overseas, further reducing costs.

Overall, RTA kitchen cabinets transfer the assembly, design, and installation of the project onto the homeowner and seek cheaper manufacturing in order to offer a lower up-front cost.

Are RTA cabinets good quality?

To determine if RTA cabinets are good quality, you need to take a look at the cabinet materials. Cabinets can be made of solid wood, high density fiberboard (HDF), medium density fiberboard (MDF), thermally fused laminate (TFL), glass, or metal. The quality of the cabinet will depend on the manufacturing process and where they source their materials. As you can imagine, there’s variety across the industry. This article by dengarden goes into more detail on ready to assemble cabinets and how to identify high quality material in RTA cabinets.

Why Choose Custom Cabinets instead?

So why choose the custom route? Well, now that we have touched on ready to assemble kitchen cabinets, here are some situations where you would want to choose fully custom cabinetry (or pre-assembled cabinets) for your home.

You are looking for quality cabinet construction and materials

Custom cabinet materials are often sourced from higher quality suppliers and are manufactured to a higher standard. Because custom cabinets are constructed with industrial equipment (rather than assembling on site) the assembly is more consistent and you can better guarantee a long lasting, squared off, cabinet. They are able to provide samples for you to feel and touch (especially with custom paint and stain colours). And you will have more transparency in the manufacturing process.

Some things to look for in custom cabinetry:

• Produced from high quality solid wood, veneer, TFL, or HDF.
• Offer upgrades like metal drawer boxes.
• Multi-step finishing process.
• Sturdy, square, cabinet construction.
• Dovetailed drawers.
• Soft close hinges.

You are looking for your forever kitchen

RTA cabinets are great for projects like condo units, house flips, DIY projects, and starter homes. If you plan to be in your home for the long haul, invest in a custom kitchen. Not only will it hold up better to everyday wear over the years, but if you are going to be in this home forever, you deserve the kitchen of your dreams.

You need a custom cabinet depth or height

RTA kitchen cabinets are sold in pre-defined sizes. If you have needs that are a variation from standard, for example you want to lower countertop height, custom cabinets are the way to go. They can be ordered in varying depth, height, and width to create the perfect fit for your space.

You don’t want to assemble kitchen cabinets

This one is an obvious benefit of custom cabinetry: there’s no assembly required for the homeowner. When working with a custom cabinet company, the entire process is taken care of and arranged for you. So if you don’t want to assemble RTA cabinets, a custom kitchen may be the option for you.

How long does it take to assemble RTA cabinets?

On average it can take a novice 15-45 minutes to assemble and install a cabinet. If the assembly and install is contracted out, it can take half the time. If you’re planning to hire a contractor be sure to factor that cost into your budget. Do your research finding a good installer and make sure your contractor is accurately quoting the job.

You don’t want a basic kitchen!

With RTA cabinets, you can get a beautiful kitchen, but with standard product you have less options for customization.

Custom kitchen design allows you to pick and choose what you want added to your kitchen in an a-la-carte fashion, with many options for personalization:

• crown molding
• mullion cabinet doors
• custom door profiles
• custom paint and stain colours
• specialized kitchen organization and function
• style forward materials and finishes

If you are designing your own kitchen and purchasing RTA cabinets, you can only get a kitchen that is as good as your skills in design are. Hiring a professional designer who is not only skilled in the latest design trends, but is familiar with the product and it’s functionality, is a guaranteed way to get your dream kitchen – and one that doesn’t look like everyone else’s.

You want the best service and warranty

The level of service and communication from custom cabinet companies will be different than that from RTA cabinet manufacturers or big box stores.

If something goes wrong with your order, how far is a company willing to go to make it right, and how easy is that process for you? When working 1:1 with a custom kitchen designer you will build a relationship with them, and they can be a voice for you to get your kitchen looking exactly the way you envisioned it.

You’re not interested in buying online

There are many online RTA cabinet retailers, but how can you tell if they are legitimate or not? You are left to the mercy of online reviews and hoping to find someone in your circle that has experience with the company.

If you don’t want to spend hours researching the best RTA cabinets online, then visit a reputable local custom cabinet company with expert designers.

You want to avoid batch variation in your cabinets

Something to note about RTA cabinets is that since they are made in large batches and shipped to many retail locations, you can’t guarantee your cabinet’s are all from the same batch. For the same reason why it’s important to purchase wallpaper or paint for your home all at one time, you will want to make sure you purchase your RTA kitchen cabinets all at once to make sure colour and finish is consistent. This is important with solid wood cabinets, as each lumber batch will have it’s own natural variation.

Custom kitchens are made to order and the entirety of your project is completed at one time.

So, are RTA cabinets any good?

The reason RTA cabinets are a popular choice for homeowners is because they are cost effective. You can get a new kitchen in some of the most popular styles with ready to assemble cabinets.

But like any product, to get a lower price, you have to make a sacrifice somewhere. If you are willing to assemble onsite, forgo custom elements, plan the design yourself, and take a risk on lower quality materials, then RTA cabinets are the better choice for you to save money.

Purchasing Your Custom Kitchen Cabinets

If you are ready to purchase a custom kitchen, Decor Cabinets are manufactured in Manitoba, Canada and have partnered with kitchen designers and design centers across North America. You can find a Decor designer near you by using our simple locator map here.

Oak cabinets are a timeless and trusted material for your kitchen. Within this already stunning wood, there exists a distinctive cut that elevates the look of oak whole new level – rift cut white oak. What are the benefits of rift cut white oak? This unique cut of oak wood has a distinct, even grain pattern and contemporary appearance.

In this blog post, we will talk about why rift sawn white oak is a modern choice for your kitchen and how to distinguish it from standard oak cabinets (plain sawn). Read to the end, we’ll provide some design ideas for your kitchen.

What are rift sawn white oak cabinets?

Like plain sawn, rift oak is a hard, heavy, strong, and durable wood. (It is made from the same tree after all). White rift cut oak has heartwood that is a light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood for rift oak is white to light brown and is not always sharply discernable from the heartwood.

Oak wood can be cut in a few ways. We are most familiar with plain sawn oak. The term rift cut refers to boards cut from timber with the grains intersecting the face of the board at an approximate 60-degree angle. This cut produces boards where the grain pattern is tight and consistent and where the stability of each plank is greatest.

Like other wood species, it can be made into both flat doors and raised panel fronts.

How to distinguish rift sawn oak cabinets from plain sawn oak cabinets?

Want to know the difference between plain sawn and rift sawn oak – and how they will look on your kitchen cabinets? Let’s explain the visual differences.

Both rift and plain sawn oak has open pores visible. This is one of the trademarks of oak wood cabinets.

Rift cut oak will have that same straight or mildly curved uniform grain on the top and bottom and will also have nice parallel grain on the two edges.

Plain sawn oak will have variation in the grain pattern, with curves and waves dispersed over the cabinet front. Both are beautiful, but suited for different design styles. We have another post if you are looking to modernize traditional or outdated oak cabinets.

Using rift sawn white oak cabinets in kitchen design

Rift cut oak will provide more consistent grain patterns throughout the project design. This consistency is aligned with contemporary or modern styles, which focuses on clean lines and simplicity. Incorporating wood into the design brings natural beauty into the space, without looking too traditional or rustic (which is better suited for plain sawn oak). There is a way to bring an organic feel to a space with wood, no matter the design style. It’s all about application.

Oak can be stained a variety of colours, from natural stain to darker woods and even coastal shades. You can view available rift sawn white oak cabinet door finishes from Decor here, including our newly released stain colours: Terrace and Eclipse.

Design ideas for rift sawn white oak cabinets

It may be daunting to try and design your own kitchen, but here are some of our expert tips to get you started.

Rift sawn white oak cabinets for a contemporary kitchen

Using rift sawn oak with a warm stain creates an inviting contemporary space. Adding wood in varying amounts keeps he space balanced and not overwhelmed with wood. Use wood base cabinets, panel accents, or pillars to add interest, without taking over the entire space. This design incorporates white cabinets combined with oak to keep the room feeling bright and organic.

Visual interest with a rift sawn white oak island

This island, with 5 piece drawer fronts adds an organic texture to this otherwise contemporary neutral kitchen. Beautifully complementing the flat panel kitchen cabinets, the island rift sawn white oak cabinetry suits the space, while adding a touch of wood to the design. Matching the colour and hardware to the kitchen cabinets keeps the island looking cohesive with the rest of the space.

So what is the difference?

To wrap up our comparison between rift sawn oak and plain sawn oak: rift sawn oak boasts a refined, straight grain pattern, ideal for modern and contemporary spaces and plain sawn oak exhibits a more diverse grain pattern, appealing to those seeking a traditional look.

Ultimately, the decision between rift sawn white oak and plain sawn oak depends on the homeowners preference. Both options offer unique qualities that provide organic elements to design. Whether you prioritize the elegance of uniformity or prefer the charm of natural grain variations, both oak varieties have their place, enabling you to bring your dream kitchen into reality.

Ready for your dream oak kitchen?

If you are ready for white oak cabinets in your kitchen design, Decor cabinets are a great choice. Explore the different stain options or find a dealer near you to get started.

Embracing the timeless appeal of mid-century modern design, wood veneer cabinets offer a harmonious blend of simplicity, warmth, and sophistication. In this article, we will explore style benefits of wood veneer, exploring its versatility, eco-friendliness, and how it effortlessly complements the aesthetic of mid-century modern interiors.

The Mid-Century Modern Design Trend

What is mid-century modern design? “The movement spanned from about 1933 to 1965 and included architecture as well as industrial, interior, and graphic design… The style grew out of early-20th-century Modernism [and is] known for its use of expanses of glass, flat planes, and a strong connection to nature.” Source

This design style has become a popular trend in part because it is accessible and relatable.

• There are plenty of homes built during this time frame which people are now buying and restoring to it’s former glory.
• Furniture from this time frame was well made and long lasting, so the second hand market and thrift culture has dictated the popularity in part because of the availability of vintage home furnishings.
• Every generation can somehow relate to this design style, whether it be the materials or application.

The welcomed funky decor and fun pops of colour allows for personalization. While still modern in essence, it feels homey and comforting.

It isn’t just recently that this design trend has made a comeback. “Midcentury pieces are simply well-designed objects, with a timeless look…they still feel fresh today, they still feel modern. A lot of those pieces haven’t been bettered. They still stand the test of time.” Source

How Wood Veneer Cabinets Fit Into Mid-Century Modern Design

“Mid century modern homes are characterized by the geometric lines of the architecture, flat, angled roofs and flat surfaces without ornamentation. These rooms are often wood-paneled, boxy and flooded with light.” Source Clean lines, flat surfaces, and warm wood tones are keystone elements to mid-century design. Exotic wood veneer cabinets with uniform grain pattern, smooth even surface, and natural colours, fit this mold perfectly.

If you are looking for mid-century kitchen cabinets, exotic wood veneer materials are the way to go for accuracy and aesthetic. Veneers were used extensively during mid-century design. “Cabinetry in mid-century modern couldn’t be what they were without veneer. It was applied at truly a tremendous scale.” Source

But what exactly are wood veneer kitchen cabinets made of and how does it compare to it’s solid wood counterparts?

About Wood Veneer Kitchen Cabinets

A wood veneer is made up of a thin layer of natural hardwood that is then bonded to a stable composite base material such as plywood, particle board and MDF. The purpose of a veneer is that it’s more affordable than solid timber as less actual wood is used, while the base material gives the veneer overall stability. This is a sustainable option since it uses less wood than solid wood cabinets. Veneers, due to their affordability, are a great choice for covering large areas like wall panels, cabinets, and large furniture pieces like sideboards.

Like natural veneer, engineered veneer is real-wood. However engineered veneer is modified through production process to have a consistent grain pattern and colour, eliminating natural imperfections like knots. Exotic woods offer a more unique look than more common wood veneers like oak.

How does wood veneer hold up on kitchen cabinets?

Wood veneer kitchen cabinets can be just as beautiful and durable as their solid wood counterparts. These engineered materials are quality made and actually have some benefits over solid wood cabinets.

• Veneer is more consistent in appearance.
• It is less likely to warp with atmospheric change.
• Often more affordable than solid wood.

Does it sound like veneer is the right choice for you? Read more about Decor Cabinets exotic veneer options.

Exotic Wood Veneers by Decor Cabinets

Teak: A Mid-Century Favorite

Teak is a favorite of mid-century furniture designers. Teak is native to South East Asia and Africa and is an extremely durable closed grain wood. Teak can be expensive and difficult to source, so wood veneer is a more accessible way to enjoy Teak wood, while maintaining the look of luxury.

Wenge: A Unique Dark Wood

Wenge is a dark brown heavy tropical wood. Native to West and Central Africa, Wenge is a sought-after wood thanks to its aesthetic qualities, but also because of its durability. While not as commonly mid-century as Teak, mid-century inspired spaces can use this shade to provide contrast and depth.

Include Wood Veneer Cabinet Doors In Your Mid-Century Modern Design

Exotic wood veneer kitchen cabinets in a mid-century modern design create the perfect amount of simplicity and interest. With consistent grain patterns and rich warm hues, they elevate kitchen spaces, creating a harmonious balance between the past and present. Embrace these cabinets to add a touch of nostalgia to your kitchen, while reflecting your unique style.

Find a Decor Cabinets dealer near you!