I had to laugh when I saw your post because I'm on the opposite side of the fence. I had planned on dark wood cabinets with light granite, but every time I see the white cabinets with the dark counter tops I sigh longingly. And there just aren't many dark cabinet inspiration pictures - but there are tons of white kitchens that take my breath away.

Maybe there is no one right answer, even for one person!

ha! I found a picture of dark cabinets that is making me completely second guess my decision. FYI...Page 80 of Great American Kitchens (green wood island on the cover)

I feel like all the pix I see are of white cabinets and I feel like I'm getting in on the end of a trend. This is my one "big" kitchen renovation and I don't want to feel outdated in 5 years.

But what do you want? Does it matter what others will want to do in the future? There will always be a new trend or idea coming along.

I think white cabinets have always been around, and are classic. Maybe the Christopher Peacock look will move on, but older homes and farm homes have had white for ages and ages...I think white has been popular for kitchens because it shows that a kitchen is clean and the white makes it bright. Painted wood was also cheaper and less formal and used in places that were utilitarian like kitchens and laundry areas.

I'd actually be afraid of dark wood, because wood stain colors are more prone to trend. I remember being so happy when my parents got rid of their 70's cabinets that were SO dark, and now that color is back. But for 20 years, dark has been 'out,' while honey oak, then maple came in in contrast. I think it's different if the wood used is naturally dark...

JMO. I think what's less apt to look trendy or get dated is staying with a simple, classic style that can morph to a different personality with accessories and wall paint...and let your own personality shine through. Love it now, making it truly a vision of your own, and you'll likely love it many years from now.

I know. But I'm worried that what I like is just what my eye is used to. I love the Christopher Peacock-like cabinets with soapstone. But I'm just wondering if it's because most ads/pictures have those white cabinets so that is now what I like. I don't know...It's just such a huge investment that I can't help but second guess everything.

I was about to do white cabinets with a dark wood island also - but recently switched to an off-white. I feel much better about it! Maybe before you switch to all darker wood look at some creamer off-whites.

One thing I appreciated reading on the forum was "what look have you been drawn to over the years?" I realized all of my torn magazine pictures were off-whites.

Good luck - we're starting our demo next week. aghhh

My perimeter kitchen cabinets are going to be yellow(my favourite colour - it always makes me smile). Not a sunflower yellow but a soft buttercream. DH says it will look dated since yellow is currently a trend but I have wanted yellow cabinets since before they started showing up in magazines.

Bottom line - stop looking at the magazines! Start thinking about your vision for your space. Try to capture the mood you want then the colours will flow from there.

Im in exactly the same boat. I fear that my kitchen will be too dark if I go with a darker stained wood. Our kitchen is an interior kitchen, so we have no windows right in it. However, it is located in an open layout. I hope the painted white arent on their way out. I like how bright it makes the space. To me it looks timeless, but who knows. 10 years from I dont want to be looking at my kitchen the same way I look at golden oak today. Both finishes have their pros and cons and its driving me nuts. I wish they had "rent-a-kitchen" so I could atleast try out both options! My biggest fear is that I will regret whatever decision I make. Im not much help, Im just as confused, sorry :(

I also agree that white never goes out of style. :-)

I really never thought that nice white cabinets went out of style (not the cheapy, apartment-style, stock white cabinets from HD), but I'm finding out there are LOTS of people who REALLY don't like white cabinets. I'm kind of surprised, actually. I honestly thought white was timeless but different stains/wood species were faddish.

I knew I wanted white from day 1--knew that was what was originally in this farmhouse, knew the kitchen didn't get a ton of light, kept cutting out white kitchens as my inspiration pics, and knew I wanted wood floors. I love contrast--so for me the soapstone counters plus cherry floors mixed with the white cabinets was a no-brainer. Had I had more time, I might have opted for hickory floors rather than the Brazilian Cherry to make it more informal, (but the floors had to be purchased in a 5-hour window...long story...thought we were saving old floors until the very last minute...uggh!), but in general my vision was clear.

I do appreciate and like stained/natural wood cabinets in other peoples kitchens...I just prefer white in MY kitchen.

Oh, and if you have a big budget, I think white cabinets can just be fabulous...chunky moulding, wavy glass inserts, fun backsplashes, neat hoods...so many options! So many amazing white kitchens have been posted recently...and I NEVER get sick of seeing them!!

:)
Sarah

thanks for all the supportive responses. The cabinets we picked were definitely a creamier white than a stark blue white. I like a more transitional look and I'm not sure which color reflects that better. I wish I could lease my kitchen cabinets for a few years then just change 'em out when the lease is up! thanks.

I think what you want is important. I've been waiting 10 years to remodel my kitchen. I wanted a white kitchen 10 years ago and I still want one now. 95% of my inspiration pictures have white/cream cabinets and the other 5% either showed beadboard or a layout idea I liked. My 1923 bungalow most likely had white cabinets to start with, but more importantly it is the look I like.

We live in an old farmhouse and went with quartersawn oak. It is a beautiful wood and we think it will hold up a bit better than painted cabinets (we have four children). White is beautiful and I do think it is timeless, especially in the right setting (like an old home).

after months of going with "maple" design- today i made the decision to switch back to my first love "creamy white cabinets and Cherry island" -- and my hubby likes it!!
I was thinking no to white b/c of "timing" out and being outdated, but you know what- who cares-- if you like it, well thats all that should matter!! I love the creamy white with cherry wood island!! Now i feel inspired again and excited....

I have 13 year old white cabinets that I wouldn't say feel outdated to me, even though I'm redoing the kitchen(another story). I think it might have more to do with the door style that would make the cabinet look outdated. Like Rhome said, I think if the door style is simple, you'll have a better chance of liking your cabinets for a long time.

from what I have researched, white really is timeless, while different colors of stain go in and out of popularity.

ctnewbie- I have the magazine you are talking about and I love the kitchen you mention. I've saved it as an inspiration picture, too. (I also like the green island on the cover and the copper sink on page 44). I'd call the cabinets medium rather than dark; I've seen much darker cherry cabinets. And, with the soapstone, it has the best of both worlds. I believe it falls in the "timeless category" pretty well except for maybe the largest slate tiles (of the various sizes) for the backsplash. I like the tiles and DH says "less grout".

I figure if you're not designing your kitchen for resale, use what you like. I've seen lots of white kitchens here that I really like a lot, but I prefer wood for myself. But I do believe that white is timeless.

I think white will never completely go out of fashion but how nice that we are starting to see more combinations of light to medium toned woods and paint (but in colours not just white and off-whites). danielle00 and rhome410 both have very different kitchens that incorporate this and I think it is really going to stay hot because the possible combinations are almost infinite. I was pulling colour samples today for the small row house kitchen I'm working on next and for me it was a lot more fun than choosing off-whites. I think colour (check out what is happening with various countertop products right now) is the post white trend and I am so glad (though fun and intense colours and white can be an excellent pairing).

I am, and will always be, drawn to off white cabinets. And yet in this latest house, I specifically chose very dark cabinets. The main reason was to hide/minimize my black appliances (and wouldn't you know, the darn things sold with the last house, but it was too late to change the cabinets). I have a small kitchen so I'm actually enjoying the dark cabinets - I've gone with a modern, slab door and will enjoy this kitchen, but it is simply not a 'take my breath away kitchen'.

Like others have said, go with what you like, what suits the house, and what suits your lifestyle. Then you'll always be happy with it.

The end of a trend???? HA This trend is timeless, IMO. I'm a white cabinet girl myself. LOL

Here's an interesting article from kitchen designer Susan's Serra's blog in which she discusses kitchen colors, classics versus trends.

Here is a link that might be useful: Susan Serra: Kitchen Color Trends

White cabinets have been around longer than me or you and will be around forever. I have the 2 toned kitchen cabinets and like it because I have the best of both worlds. You won't be sorry if you decide to get some white and some dark.