Last Updated on March 7, 2025 by Advance Design Studio – Home Remodeling
TRENDING ACCENT CABINETS
Cabinetry is no longer just about storage—it’s an opportunity to express your style and add unique design elements to your space. Whether you’re drawn to custom door inserts, open shelving, or unexpected textures, these trending accent cabinet ideas offer endless ways to elevate your kitchen, bathroom, or built-ins. Let’s dive into the top ways to make your cabinetry truly one-of-a-kind!
1. Glass Inserts
Glass accent cabinets create an airy feel and allow you to showcase beautiful dishware or decorative pieces. Visibility can vary from transparent, seeded, or frosted depending on your preference and cabinet manufacturer.
2. Open Shelving
If you’d like to feature your backsplash more prominently or break up the look of a cabinet wall, consider open shelves in your cabinetry layout. They enhance accessibility and allow for a curated display of decor, kitchenware, or cookbooks.
3. Mesh Inserts
Mesh inserts introduce beautiful texture into any cabinet layout. Metal mesh is available in various patterns, thicknesses, and colors. These doors provide partial visibility while maintaining airflow, making them a great choice for pantries, media cabinets, or areas that showcase kitchenware.
4. Task Lighting
Our team recommends adding cabinet accent lighting to your space, especially for kitchens, bars, and home offices. In-cabinet lighting illuminates your glass or mesh inserts, while undercabinet lights provide task lighting. Toe kick lighting creates a moody atmosphere while highlighting your beautiful flooring and base cabinet details.
5. Mullion Doors
A mullion door features a decorative panel divided by thin wood or metal strips called mullions. These accent cabinet doors create an elegant window-like effect with straight or curved strips. Mullion doors are popular in kitchens, built-ins, and display cabinets, offering both aesthetic appeal and a way to showcase dishware or décor.
6. Painted Accent Cabinets
Color infuses energy into any space, and painted cabinets are an effective way to showcase color. Depending on your preference, you can select one cabinet color for your whole space, or two colors with varying degrees of contrast for your base and upper cabinets. Cabinet manufacturers offer a variety of stock and custom paint finishes- neutral accents, airy pastels, vibrant jewel tones, moody hues, and everything in between. If you have a specific paint color you’re looking for, your designer will help you select a line that can match the hue you love.
7. Touch-to-Open Doors
Historically used for hidden toe-kick storage, touch-to-close tech can also be integrated into your upper cabinets and drawers for a seamless appearance. This feature works well with a flat slab door style, frameless cabinet, or other contemporary elements in your design. Lightly press the edge of the door to trigger the mechanical or magnetic latch inside, as demonstrated by this example from Bridgewood Cabinetry.
8. Mirror Inserts
Mirrored accent cabinet doors reflect light and can create the illusion of a larger room. Their finishes can be customized for either a sophisticated, modern feel or a glamorous, vintage vibe.
9. Fluted Door Panels
Fluted or reeded doors add texture, depth, and sophistication to your cabinetry. The grooves create soft, elegant shadows in the light, adding visual interest without being overly bold. This vanity by Dura Supreme Cabinetry showcases bathroom cabinetry with fluted front doors.
10. Furniture-Inspired Details
Integrating furniture-inspired accents into your cabinets will help them feel more stationary and elevate decor aesthetics. This can include elements like decorative legs, ornate moldings, or appliance/range panels. Think of an island with turned wood legs or intricate trim.
11. Stained Cabinetry
Stained cabinetry adds depth and texture to any space, offering a rich, natural look to showcase unique wood grain patterns. Stained cabinets can be paired with a painted cabinet to create contrast in color and texture, or you can select one stained finish for all your cabinets for a cohesive look. Stain options are highly customizable and the finished cabinet look will vary depending on the combination of wood species and stain color you select.
12. Interior Storage Systems
Thoughtful accent cabinetry often extends beyond the door design with custom interior storage systems. Integrated cabinet systems like larder cupboards, roll-out shelves, pull-out organizers, and drawer dividers maximize efficiency and keep your surrounding surfaces clutter-free. If you want to maximize the storage in your kitchen, check out our design team’s favorite kitchen storage solutions.
13. Custom Built-Ins
Similar to the idea of open shelving, a wine display can break up a wall of cabinetry in your bar or kitchen. Cubbies can be customized to fit the width and depth you need to keep your favorite bottles on hand.
14. Accent Metal Door Trim
Bridgewood Cabinetry offers a metal trim for cabinet door panels for a sophisticated look. The sleek, reflective surface of the metal can break up the monotony of wood or painted finishes. Whether in brass, black, or aluminum, it’s an ideal choice for pulling an industrial or contemporary feel into kitchens and built-ins.
More Design Inspiration:
We’re ready to connect with you and help you get started on your home bar project! With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment with one of our talented designers.