When it comes to kitchen cabinet trends that are no longer in style, Southern interior designers are full of opinions. Here, designers from throughout the region share eight types of cabinet trends that you will want to aim to avoid at all costs in order to prevent your space from looking dated.

All-White Cabinets

Cate Gutter, the founder of CWG Design in Charlotte, North Carolina, would prefer that you steer clear of white kitchen cabinets.

“I’m personally moving away from this sterile look in my designs in favor of warmer, more nuanced tones,” she says, adding that some excellent hues to consider include sage greens, navy blues, and natural wood finishes.

“It’s all about creating an environment that feels inviting and lived-in, rather than overly pristine,” Gutter shares.

Moreover, white cabinets are just a little too par for the course, adds Laura Lubin, the founder of Ellerslie Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee.

“White shaker cabinets had their moment, but let’s be honest—they’ve become the default choice rather than a deliberate design decision,” she says. “When working with our clients, I have progressively noticed we’re moving away from anything that feels too predictable or mass-produced.”

Cookie-Cutter Options

On that note, today is all about embracing customization rather than cookie-cutter options when it comes to cabinetry, Lubin shares.

“Customization is key—hidden storage, integrated lighting, and thoughtful design choices that reflect the client’s lifestyle,” she says. “A kitchen should feel as sophisticated as the rest of the home, not like an afterthought.”

Shiny Kitchen Cabinets

The TL;DR here is that while shiny kitchen cabinets may look cool, they simply aren’t all too practical, according to many of the designers with whom we spoke.

“Glossy finishes, once synonymous with luxury, have lost their appeal due to their high-maintenance nature,” Gutter says. “They show every fingerprint, smudge, and scratch—nothing kills the aesthetic faster than constant upkeep.”

Instead, the designer states, opt for surfaces that are lower maintenance yet still chic. “Today, the trend is leaning toward matte, satin, and textured surfaces—think soft-touch finishes or natural wood grains,” she says.

Glazed Cabinets

Just say no to glazed cabinets. As Katie Skoloff, the founder of  In Site Designs in Greenville, South Carolina, puts it, “Adding glaze is a quick way to date your space (think: early 2000s).”  

Sarah Beth Wood, the founder of Rigby Wood Interior Design in Arlington, Virginia, is also eager to say goodbye to glazed cabinetry and its “instantly lived-in look.” Instead, the focus is on opting for finishes that will patina nicely over time, she explains, citing unlacquered brass or bronze and metal and stone veneers as examples.

“These natural elements arrive fresh on the job site, and every mark made celebrates the passage of time and a life well lived in a family home,” Wood says.

Inlay Cabinets

Skoloff acknowledges that while inlay cabinets are classic and elegant, they actually are not the most practial option.

“Inlay cabinets significantly reduce usable storage—typically by 15 to 20 percent,” she says. “Unless your kitchen is purely decorative, we suggest steering clear.”

A better solution, the designer notes, is to pick full flush overlay cabinetry. “It achieves a similar refined look without sacrificing valuable storage space or unnecessarily inflating your budget,” Skoloff says.

Open Shelving

In recent years, people have begun to say yes to open shelving in favor of traditional cabinetry, something that Mary Gordon, the co-founder of InSite Builders & Remodeling in Bethesda, Maryland, explains will soon change.

“It requires too much upkeep,” she says. “Closed cabinetry has a cleaner and more contemporary look.”

Too Much of a Matchy-Matchy Look

Go ahead and embrace a bit of variation when it comes to your kitchen cabinetry, encourages Shannon Kadwell, kitchen and bath designer at Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John, Maryland.

“There is now more emphasize on eclectic styles with less of a ‘matchy-matchy’ look,” she says, explaining that this means bringing in a variety of colors and textures. Of course, you don’t want your kitchen to look like a total hodge-podge.

“You still want a cohesive color palette without veering into chaos,” the designer adds. “The goal is to achieve harmony while still making a statement.”

Ornate Details

Skip any type of cabinetry with tons of ornate detailing.

“Intricate carvings and heavy embellishments in cabinetry have become too heavy feeling,” Ladwell says. “Today’s style is more streamlined and fresher, with clean lines and simplicity.”

Gordon agrees that simplicity is what is in vogue, noting that many people are opting for handle-free cabinets and minimalistic hardware, “creating a seamless, modern aesthetic.”