Did you say you want a kitchen design that is guaranteed to endure?
While it's true that interior design trends are fluid, and always changing, there is one thing that is ALWAYS going to be popular.
White! And since you're looking at a kitchen and bath design blog, we're talking about white kitchen cabinets.
In color psychology, white is the color of new beginnings and wiping the slate clean. It is the blank canvas waiting to be written upon. While white isn't stimulating to the senses, it opens the way for the creation of anything the mind can conceive. White is light and clean and allows you to accent with any color or pattern, or none.
We could be talking about a contemporary loft,
or a rustic country homestead
White kitchen cabinets are always in the discussion.
It's no secret that people are often choosing hard-wood floors for their entire house, including kitchens. But this can sometimes present a problem in a kitchen. Too much wood can feel heavy, and matching stains and grains between the floor & cabinetry can be tricky. Selecting white cabinets is often the easiest solution to this problem.
Imagine the above kitchen with wood cabinets... too much wood, I think.
I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that there isn't just one shade of white. Some interiors call for a warm white, like French vanilla...
Or the popular vintage stains...
Something to consider is the existing trim in the house. (Unless you're open to changing everything.) For example, you may be attracted to the warm whites, but if your baseboards, window trim, ceilings, crown are painted "Snowbound" or "Blizzard" you might be disappointed with the end result. Learn from this homeowner's experience.
White is light and fresh. It's often associated with cleanliness and health. It is the perfect canvas to start your painting on. I'm not saying that its right for every kitchen, or every person, but you can't argue with the data. White kitchen cabinets have been popular in American homes for 100 years...
Image: Harris & Ewing Collection/Library of Congress 1920's Kitchen
and maybe never as celebrated as right now.