Key Takeaways
- Cabinet refinishing offers a cost-effective alternative to replacement, with current trends favoring earth tones, bold accent colors, and two-toned designs that can completely transform your kitchen’s appearance.
- Hardware selection significantly impacts refinished cabinets, with sleek minimalist pulls, mixed metals, and statement pieces currently leading trends that can elevate your kitchen’s style without major construction.
- Finish selection—whether matte, satin, or specialized treatments like glazing—dramatically affects both aesthetics and functionality, with each option offering different advantages for various kitchen styles and usage patterns.
- Shaker cabinets remain extremely popular due to their versatility, while other door styles like slab, inset, and glass-front options offer distinctive alternatives that can be enhanced through professional refinishing.
- Sustainable refinishing approaches, including low-VOC products, reusing existing cabinets, and proper waste management, allow environmentally conscious homeowners to update their kitchens while minimizing environmental impact.
Transform Your Kitchen with These Cabinet Refinishing Trends from Harmony Painting Contractors
Are you considering updating your kitchen without the hassle and expense of a complete renovation? Cabinet refinishing offers a cost-effective solution that can dramatically transform your space. As experienced painting contractors in Denver, we at Harmony Painting have helped countless homeowners breathe new life into their kitchens through professional cabinet refinishing services.
Cabinet refinishing has evolved far beyond simple paint jobs. Today’s trends encompass sophisticated color combinations, innovative finishes, and thoughtful hardware selections that can completely reinvent your kitchen’s appearance. Whether you’re looking for a timeless aesthetic or a bold contemporary statement, current cabinet refinishing trends offer options to suit every taste and budget.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the latest cabinet refinishing trends that are popular in Denver, Colorado, and beyond. Drawing on our extensive experience as a painting company specializing in both residential painting services and commercial painting services, we’ll provide expert insights into color selections, finish options, hardware choices, and more. Whether you’re planning a DIY project or considering hiring professional painters for your cabinet refinishing project, this guide will help you navigate the exciting possibilities to create a kitchen that’s both on-trend and timeless.
Color Trends: Popular Cabinet Color Choices in 2023
Color selection is perhaps the most impactful decision when refinishing cabinets, capable of completely transforming your kitchen’s ambiance. As a painting contractor in Denver with years of experience providing professional painting services, Harmony Painting has observed several distinct color trends emerging in cabinet refinishing projects across the Denver metro area. These trends reflect both broader design movements and the specific preferences of Colorado homeowners.
Earth tones have surged in popularity, offering a grounded, natural aesthetic that resonates with Denver’s outdoor lifestyle. Warm greys, soft taupes, and various green shades dominate this palette, creating spaces that feel simultaneously contemporary and timeless. Sage green has emerged as a particular favorite, providing a subtle connection to nature without overwhelming the space. These earth-inspired hues work beautifully with the abundant natural light in many Denver homes and complement the mountain views that many residents enjoy. Harmony Painting has completed numerous projects featuring these earthy palettes, which provide an excellent backdrop for both traditional and modern kitchen designs. When selecting earth tones, consider the existing elements in your kitchen that won’t be changing, such as countertops and flooring, to ensure cohesive integration. Our professional painters can provide color consultations to help navigate these choices, ensuring your cabinet refinishing project achieves the desired effect while maintaining harmony with your overall interior painting scheme.
Bold accent colors have made a significant comeback in cabinet refinishing, particularly when used strategically in two-tone designs. Navy blue continues to reign as a sophisticated choice that pairs beautifully with brass hardware and light countertops. Emerald green offers a fresh, vibrant option that adds personality while still feeling grounded, especially in Denver’s natural light conditions. Deep burgundy and wine tones have also gained traction, adding warmth and richness to kitchen spaces. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver have noticed increased requests for these statement colors, especially for kitchen islands or lower cabinets as part of two-toned designs. When incorporating bold colors, our professional painters recommend balancing them with neutral walls and simple backsplashes to prevent the space from feeling overwhelming. These deeper tones also tend to show less wear over time compared to lighter colors, making them a practical choice for busy households in the Denver Metro Area. Harmony Painting’s services in Denver now routinely include these more adventurous color options, reflecting homeowners’ increasing willingness to express personality through their kitchen designs.
Two-tone cabinet arrangements have become mainstream rather than exceptional, offering a balanced compromise between neutral safety and colorful expression. This approach typically features different colors for upper and lower cabinets or distinguishes the island from perimeter cabinetry. The most common application pairs white or light upper cabinets with darker or more colorful base cabinets—a practical approach that keeps eye-level cabinets light and bright while grounding the space with more substantial colors below. Harmony Painting has implemented numerous two-toned designs, with popular combinations including white uppers with navy or green lowers, or wood-toned islands with painted perimeter cabinets. This trend allows homeowners to incorporate bold colors without committing to them throughout the entire kitchen. It also creates a custom, designer look that elevates the space beyond standard cabinet treatments. When executing two-toned designs, our interior painting specialists ensure perfect color coordination and professional-grade finishes that seamlessly blend the different elements into a cohesive whole.
Whites and off-whites remain perennial favorites for cabinet refinishing projects, though the specific shades have evolved toward softer, warmer variations rather than stark, bright whites. Creamy off-whites, soft alabasters, and barely-there beiges offer timeless appeal while creating more inviting spaces than pure white. These light neutrals maximize the perception of space and light—particularly valuable in Denver’s many mountain-adjacent homes where maximizing natural light remains a priority. White cabinets also provide exceptional versatility, allowing for easy updates to other kitchen elements as trends evolve. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver often recommend these lighter palettes for smaller kitchens or spaces with limited natural light. When selecting whites, it’s crucial to consider undertones that complement other fixed elements in your kitchen. Painting estimates for white cabinet refinishing often include specialized primers and multiple topcoats to ensure proper coverage and a flawless finish that will maintain its appearance for years to come.
Wood tones have made a remarkable comeback, shifting from the orange-tinted oak and cherry finishes of previous decades toward cooler, more natural variations. Rather than covering wood entirely with paint, many homeowners are opting for stains and transparent finishes that enhance the natural grain while updating the color. Harmony Painting’s professional painters in Denver, Colorado offer specialized techniques for transforming dated orange-toned oak or cherry cabinets to more contemporary walnut, driftwood, or ebony finishes. These treatments honor the material’s natural beauty while aligning it with current design aesthetics. This trend appeals particularly to eco-conscious homeowners and those with high-quality wood cabinets that deserve to be showcased rather than concealed. When refreshing wood cabinets, our painting company uses commercial-grade products specifically formulated for cabinetry to ensure durability and depth of color that will stand the test of time. This renewed appreciation for wood’s natural character reflects a broader design movement toward authentic materials and craftsmanship in home interiors.
Hardware Trends: Elevating Cabinet Refinishing with Stylish Details
Hardware selection plays a crucial role in completing cabinet refinishing projects, serving as the “jewelry” that enhances and defines the overall aesthetic. As painting contractors in Denver working on both residential painting services and commercial painting services, Harmony Painting has witnessed how the right hardware choices can elevate refinished cabinets from merely refreshed to truly remarkable. Current hardware trends reflect broader design movements while offering functional benefits that improve everyday kitchen experiences.
Sleek, minimalist pulls have become increasingly popular, offering clean lines that complement both contemporary and transitional kitchen designs. These streamlined options typically feature simple bar or edge pulls in various lengths, creating a sophisticated, uncluttered look. The minimalist approach works particularly well with modern slab door cabinets but can also provide an interesting counterpoint to more traditional door styles. Harmony Painting has installed these contemporary hardware options in countless Denver homes, often as part of comprehensive cabinet refinishing projects. For maximum impact, we recommend consistent sizing throughout the kitchen, with longer pulls for drawers and shorter versions for doors. When paired with newly refinished cabinets, these hardware elements create a cohesive, intentional design statement. The simplicity of minimalist hardware also makes it a safe choice for homeowners concerned about longevity, as these clean-lined designs tend to remain relevant despite evolving trends. Harmony Painting’s professional painters often recommend these streamlined options when clients seek a contemporary update that won’t quickly look dated.
Mixed metals have emerged as a sophisticated trend that breaks traditional design rules while creating layered, collected looks. Rather than matching all hardware and fixtures, designers and homeowners now confidently combine complementary finishes throughout the kitchen. This might include brass knobs with stainless appliances, or matte black faucets with chrome light fixtures. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver often recommend this approach to clients seeking distinctive, personalized kitchens. The key to successful mixed metal applications lies in repetition—each finish should appear at least twice within the space to create visual balance. When refinishing cabinets intended for mixed metal hardware, our professional painters carefully consider undertones and complementary colors to ensure harmonious integration. This trend offers tremendous flexibility, allowing homeowners to incorporate existing fixtures into new designs rather than replacing everything to maintain matching finishes. For painting projects in the Denver Metro Area, we find this approach particularly appealing to clients who appreciate eclectic, personalized spaces rather than strictly coordinated design schemes.
Oversized hardware has gained significant traction as a way to create a dramatic visual impact in kitchen designs. These substantial pieces—including elongated drawer pulls that span almost the entire width of drawers or large-scale knobs with architectural profiles—add sculptural elements to otherwise simple cabinet faces. Harmony Painting’s services in Denver frequently include guidance on selecting statement hardware that complements newly refinished cabinets. This trend works particularly well with simpler door styles and solid colors, where the hardware becomes a focal design element rather than merely a functional component. In Denver, Colorado, we’ve observed growing interest in locally crafted artisanal hardware pieces that add authentic character to kitchen spaces. When incorporating statement hardware, our interior painting specialists often recommend consistent cabinet finishes to allow these special elements to shine without competition. For homeowners seeking to make a design statement without the commitment of bold cabinet colors, oversized hardware offers an excellent opportunity to add personality and visual interest to the kitchen.
Handleless cabinets represent a growing trend toward sleek, minimalist kitchen designs. This approach includes edge pulls that mount to the top or side of cabinet doors, push-to-open mechanisms that eliminate visible hardware entirely, or recessed pulls that create clean, uninterrupted cabinet faces. Harmony Painting has implemented these contemporary hardware solutions as part of comprehensive refinishing projects. The minimalist aesthetic works particularly well with modern cabinet colors and finishes, creating a streamlined look that appeals to those seeking clutter-free environments. When implementing handleless solutions, our professional painters ensure perfect execution of the refinishing process, as these hardware styles often leave cabinets more exposed and require flawless finishes. This trend has gained particular traction in smaller Denver kitchens, where visual simplicity helps spaces feel larger and more open. For commercial painting services in office break rooms and corporate environments, these clean-lined solutions offer both contemporary aesthetics and practical benefits, including easier cleaning and maintenance.
Vintage and retro hardware styles have experienced a resurgence, particularly for homes with historical character or those seeking to create distinctive, personality-filled kitchens. Bin pulls, glass knobs, and ornate backplates add character and historical reference points that can transform simple cabinet refinishing projects into custom-looking installations. Harmony Painting guides clients through selecting period-appropriate hardware that complements both their home’s architecture and their refined cabinets. This trend works particularly well when refinishing cabinets in Denver’s many historic neighborhoods, where contemporary interventions often benefit from thoughtful nods to architectural heritage. When incorporating vintage hardware, our professional painters often recommend finishes that will develop a natural patina over time, enhancing the authentic, lived-in quality many homeowners desire. For painting estimates that include vintage hardware installation, we factor in the potential need for additional reinforcement or modifications to accommodate these specialized pieces, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functional performance.
Finish Trends: Selecting the Right Sheen for Your Cabinet Refinishing Project
The finish or sheen selected for cabinet refinishing significantly impacts both aesthetics and functionality. As experienced painting contractors in Denver, providing professional painting services to residential and commercial clients, Harmony Painting understands how different finishes interact with cabinet styles, kitchen lighting, and practical usage considerations. The right finish enhances the color choice while providing appropriate durability for this high-touch kitchen element.
Matte finishes have surged in popularity, offering sophisticated, velvety surfaces that conceal imperfections and fingerprints better than their glossier counterparts. These low-luster finishes create a soft, contemporary look that works beautifully with modern cabinet styles and transitional designs. Harmony Painting has implemented matte finishes in numerous Denver metro area homes, particularly for darker cabinet colors where higher sheens might appear too reflective or dramatic. The subtle elegance of matte finishes allows the cabinet color to take center stage without competing reflections, creating a refined aesthetic that many homeowners and interior designers prefer. From a practical standpoint, our professional painters utilize specialized cabinet-grade matte products that offer improved durability compared to standard wall paints in similar sheens. These advanced formulations provide the low-luster look while maintaining scrubbability and resistance to household chemicals—essential characteristics for kitchen cabinetry that endures daily use and cleaning. When providing painting estimates for matte finish cabinet projects, we educate clients on both the aesthetic and practical implications of this increasingly popular choice.
Satin finishes represent the middle ground that many Denver homeowners select for their cabinet refinishing projects, balancing practical durability with moderate light reflection. These versatile finishes offer enhanced cleanability compared to matte options while avoiding the potentially overwhelming shine of high-gloss treatments. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver frequently recommend these mid-range sheens for family kitchens that experience heavy use, as they withstand repeated cleaning while maintaining their appearance over time. Satin finishes provide slightly more sheen than matte, creating subtle dimension that works particularly well with traditional cabinet styles and transitional designs. Both options hide minor imperfections reasonably well while providing the durability necessary for kitchen environments. Our interior painting specialists can demonstrate these finish options on sample doors, helping clients visualize how different sheens will interact with their specific cabinet style, color choice, and kitchen lighting. For painting services in Denver homes with varied lighting conditions, satin finishes often provide the most consistent appearance throughout the day and evening, maintaining their attractive appearance regardless of natural or artificial illumination.
Glazed finishes have maintained their appeal for homeowners seeking dimension and character in their cabinet refinishing projects. This specialized technique involves applying a translucent glaze over a base color, then selectively wiping it away to create subtle highlights and lowlights, particularly in cabinet details and corners. The result adds depth and visual interest that flat finishes cannot achieve. Harmony Painting has refined these application techniques to create everything from subtle antiquing effects to more dramatic distressed appearances. Glazing works particularly well with traditional cabinet styles that feature raised panels, beading, or other dimensional elements that can be enhanced through this technique. When implementing glazed finishes, our professional painters ensure the effects complement the home’s overall aesthetic while providing sufficient durability for kitchen environments. These specialized treatments often require additional labor and expertise, but the distinctive results can transform ordinary cabinets into true custom pieces that reflect personal style and designer sensibilities. For painting projects in Denver, Colorado’s many traditional and transitional homes, glazed finishes offer a sophisticated option that bridges historical references with contemporary function.
High-gloss lacquer finishes create dramatic, reflective surfaces that make bold statements in contemporary kitchens. These mirror-like finishes offer unparalleled smoothness and light reflection, creating a sense of luxury and precision in modern design schemes. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver have observed that high-gloss cabinets work exceptionally well in smaller kitchens or spaces with limited natural light, as their reflective properties help brighten and visually expand the area. When applying high-gloss finishes, our painting services in Denver employ specialized techniques including thorough surface preparation, multiple thin coats, and careful sanding between layers to achieve the flawless surface these finishes demand. While high-gloss cabinets showcase fingerprints and imperfections more readily than other options, they also offer superior cleanability—an advantage in busy households. For maximum impact, we often recommend high-gloss finishes for island cabinets or upper cabinets, creating focal points within the kitchen while maintaining more practical finishes on high-touch base cabinets. For commercial painting services in showrooms or display kitchens, these dramatic finishes create memorable, photogenic spaces that showcase design possibilities.
Textured finishes have emerged as innovative options for homeowners seeking distinctive cabinet treatments beyond conventional smooth surfaces. These include techniques like dry brushing, which creates subtle linear texture; specialized products that mimic natural materials like concrete or stone; and unique application methods that create tactile interest. Harmony Painting’s professional painters have developed expertise in these specialized applications, offering clients unique finishing options that stand apart from standard cabinet treatments. Textured finishes often work best on larger cabinet faces where the effect can be fully appreciated, though they can be applied throughout the kitchen for cohesive design. When implementing textured finishes, our painting company ensures the techniques complement the home’s overall aesthetic while providing sufficient durability for kitchen environments. These specialized treatments require advanced skills and experience to execute properly, making professional application particularly important. For painting estimates involving textured finishes, we provide detailed explanations of the process and maintenance considerations, ensuring clients can make informed decisions about these distinctive options. The unique character of textured finishes appeals particularly to design-forward homeowners seeking personalized, one-of-a-kind kitchen spaces in the Denver Metro Area.
Door Style Trends: Complementing Your Cabinet Refinishing Project
While cabinet refinishing primarily focuses on surface appearance, door styles significantly influence the overall aesthetic and should be considered when planning your project. As painting contractors in Denver providing both residential painting services and commercial painting services, Harmony Painting has observed specific door style trends that complement contemporary refinishing approaches. Understanding these trends helps homeowners make cohesive design decisions that enhance their cabinet refinishing investment.
Shaker-style cabinets continue to dominate the market, offering a versatile foundation that works beautifully with various refinishing approaches. These five-piece doors with recessed center panels provide enough detail to be interesting without overwhelming the space. Their enduring popularity stems from their chameleon-like ability to support both traditional and contemporary aesthetics, depending on finish and hardware selections. Harmony Painting has refinished countless Shaker cabinets throughout Denver, Colorado, updating their appearance through color and finish while maintaining their classic proportions. For homeowners with existing Shaker cabinets, refinishing offers an excellent opportunity to breathe new life into this timeless style. When providing painting estimates for Shaker cabinet refinishing, our professional painters often suggest techniques that enhance the door’s inherent architecture, such as two-tone approaches that highlight the frame or subtle glazing that accentuates the recessed panel. The simplicity of Shaker design also makes it an excellent canvas for statement hardware or distinctive finishes, allowing for personalization while maintaining the style’s inherent versatility. For painting services in Denver homes across architectural styles, Shaker cabinets provide a reliable foundation that responds beautifully to refinishing.
Slab door cabinets represent the contemporary end of the spectrum, featuring flat, unadorned surfaces that create clean, minimalist appearances. These streamlined doors have gained significant popularity in modern kitchen designs, particularly when paired with handleless opening systems or minimal hardware. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver have witnessed increasing demand for converting traditional cabinets to this more contemporary aesthetic, sometimes by replacing just the doors while refinishing the existing cabinet boxes. The smooth surfaces of slab doors showcase finish quality, making professional application particularly important. When refinishing slab doors, our interior painting specialists employ specialized techniques to achieve flawless results, as these unembellished surfaces reveal any imperfections in preparation or application. For painting projects in the Denver Metro Area’s many mid-century and contemporary homes, slab doors offer architectural consistency that enhances overall design integrity. The simplicity of these doors also makes them excellent candidates for bold colors or distinctive finishes, as their uncluttered design can support more dramatic aesthetic choices without becoming visually overwhelming. For commercial painting services in professional environments, these clean-lined options create sophisticated, timeless appearances that age gracefully.
Inset cabinet doors represent a high-end option that has experienced renewed interest, particularly for refinishing projects seeking to create distinctive, furniture-quality appearances. Unlike overlay doors that sit on top of the cabinet frame, inset doors fit precisely within the frame, creating a sophisticated, crafted aesthetic. Harmony Painting has refined techniques for adjusting existing cabinets to accommodate this look or for enhancing true inset cabinets through specialized finishing approaches. The precise fit of inset doors requires exceptional craftsmanship both in construction and finishing, making professional application essential. When refinishing inset cabinets, our professional painters pay particular attention to ensuring smooth operation after painting, as these doors have tighter tolerances than overlay styles. The refined appearance of inset cabinetry works particularly well in traditional homes or in creating high-end, custom looks for kitchen renovations. For painting estimates involving inset cabinet refinishing, we factor in the additional time and expertise required to properly prepare and finish these precision components. While more labor-intensive than standard cabinet refinishing, the distinctive results create kitchens with unmistakable quality and character that stand apart from mass-produced appearances.
Glass-front cabinets offer opportunities to create visual interest and display space within kitchen designs. Whether incorporated as full glass doors or as partial elements within solid door designs, these transparent components add depth and personality to cabinet arrangements. Harmony Painting’s painting contractors in Denver often recommend strategic placement of glass-front cabinets—typically for upper cabinets in display areas rather than throughout the kitchen—to create balanced, functional designs. When refinishing kitchens with glass-front elements, our painting services in Denver include specialized techniques for finishing cabinet interiors that will be visible through the glass, often in complementary or contrasting colors to the exterior finish. This interior finishing requires particular attention to detail, as these surfaces remain visible even when doors are closed. For homeowners in Denver, Colorado who collect distinctive dishware or decorative items, glass-front cabinets provide elegant display opportunities that personalize the kitchen while maintaining functional storage. The selective use of glass fronts can also help kitchens feel more spacious and open, particularly in smaller spaces where solid cabinetry might feel overwhelming. For painting projects seeking to create more visual interest without structural changes, converting selected cabinet doors to glass fronts while refinishing the remaining cabinetry offers an excellent enhancement option.
Mixed door styles have gained popularity as homeowners seek more personalized, collected kitchen designs rather than uniform appearances. This approach might combine glass-front upper cabinets with solid lower cabinets, or feature distinctive door styles on islands or focal points while maintaining simpler designs elsewhere. Harmony Painting has implemented numerous mixed-style kitchens, using refinishing techniques to create visual cohesion across different door types. The key to successful mixed-door designs lies in thoughtful planning and professional execution, ensuring the various elements work together rather than appearing haphazard. When providing painting estimates for these more complex projects, our professional painters develop comprehensive plans that address the specific requirements of each door type while maintaining overall design integrity. For painting projects in older Denver homes where complete cabinet replacement might be impractical or undesirable, selectively modifying door styles in conjunction with comprehensive refinishing can create dramatically updated appearances without full renovation. This approach allows homeowners to retain quality cabinet boxes while creating more contemporary or personalized appearances through strategic door style modifications and professional refinishing.
