are brown kitchen cabinets coming back
Jun 12, 2025
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Yes-brown kitchen cabinets are staging a strong comeback in 2024, but not your grandma's honey oak. Today's "brown" leans into sophisticated, earthy, and organic textures. Here's the full breakdown:
✅ The New Brown Cabinets: 2024 Trends
Warm, Medium-Toned Woods
Oaks (white, rift-cut) and walnuts with minimal grain → light, airy, and Scandi-modern.
Finish: Light oil or matte lacquer (no orange/red undertones).
Dark, Chocolatey Browns
Almost-black espresso stains (not 2000s glossy) with matte finishes → pairs with brass, stone, and terrazzo.
Textured & Painted Browns
Sage-brown (e.g., Sherwin Williams "Shade-Grown"), terracotta stains, or mushroom-beige → earthy but fresh.
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2024's look: Light oak lowers, quartzite counters, plaster hood. Warm but minimal.
🚫 Outdated Browns to Avoid
90s Honey Oak (yellow/orange undertones + heavy grain).
2000s Glossy Espresso (plastic-looking laminate + matching granite).
Cherry Wood with red tones (feels retro in a tired way).
📊 Why Brown Is Returning
The "Anti-Gray" Movement
Designers and homeowners are rejecting sterile grays for warm, natural palettes (per NKBA 2024 Report).
Biophilic Design
Brown woods evoke nature and work with stone, rattan, and plants → a key 2024 trend.
Timeless Foundation
When styled minimally (no ornate details), wood cabinets transcend decades.
Resurgence of Warmth
Cold whites and grays are being replaced by cozy, earthy kitchens.
🔥 How to Style Modern Brown Cabinets
| Cabinet Type | Pairings for 2024 Freshness | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light Oak/Walnut | Cream walls, matte black hardware, terrazzo floors | Orange-toned woods, Tuscan accents |
| Dark Espresso | Brass fixtures, marble-look quartz, white uppers | Glossy finishes, cluttered decor |
| Painted Earth Tones | Textured backsplash (zellige), linen curtains, oak shelves | Cool grays, busy patterns |
🌴 Tropical Climate Tip (Jamaica & Similar)
Opt for medium-toned teak or mahogany (naturally humidity-resistant).
Pair with:
White or cream uppers
Terrazzo counters
Open shelving for airflow
Brass hardware (patinas beautifully in humidity)
⚠️ Potential Pitfalls
Can Feel Dated If:
Paired with dark granite or Tuscan tiles.
Used in poorly lit rooms (add under-cabinet lighting!).
Overly matched with brown floors (create contrast!).
Resale Note: 43% of buyers prefer wood cabinets (Zillow 2024)-but stick to lighter, neutral browns for broad appeal.
✅ 2024's Winning Brown Cabinet Combos
Light Oak Lowers + Plaster Range Hood + Stone Counters
Vibe: Organic Modern
Walnut Island + Cream Perimeter + Blackened Steel Hardware
Vibe: Moody Transitional
Painted Mushroom-Brown (e.g., BM "Mushroom") + Brass + Marble
Vibe: Earthy Luxe
Verdict:
Brown cabinets are 100% coming back in 2024-but only in evolved, intentional forms. For a timeless yet trendy kitchen:
Skip orange undertones • Choose light/matte finishes • Pair with stone/terrazzo • Lean into texture, not ornamentation.
Designer Insight:
"Brown works when it feels found, not forced. Let wood grain speak for itself against quiet materials."
-Hadley Wiggins, AD Pro 2024
Go for it if: You love warmth, texture, and nature-inspired spaces. To test, sample Sherwin Williams "Taupe of the Morning" or "Oak Barrel" -the new-generation browns. 🪵