Not only do kitchen cabinets hide all our storage sins, they are the focal point of our kitchens. They should be just as stylish and creative as they are practical. So if you are getting a bit tired of seeing the same old kitchen cabinet styles on repeat, why not think outside the box and look to more unique and unexpected options?
And unexpected doesn't have to mean 'trendy', these designer-approved looks are all long-lived and can be as timeless as the kitchen styles you see time and time again. So if you are looking to do something slightly more original with your kitchen design in 2025, we asked designers which are the best looks to consider.
How to make your kitchen more unique with unexpected cabinetry styles
The easiest way to make your kitchen look dated is to have the same kitchen as everyone else. When the kitchen trend moves on, the crowds will follow, and you’ll be stuck with a kitchen that didn't quite reflect your style in the first place.
An unexpected kitchen cabinet style can help you switch things up and get out of the familiarity funk. The design experts have weighed in and decided on the top enviable styles for you and your home.
1. Paint your cabinetry both inside and out
Everyone knows that a fresh coat of paint on old cabinets can be game-changing. Switch it up by turning your paintbrush to the inside of your cabinetry too, whether that’s adding a bold hue to the door or color-drenching the entire interior.
'We love adding touches to a kitchen design which really enhances the uniqueness of a design,' says Jayne Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens. 'Pops of color for the cabinetry interior are always a great and lovely surprise when you open up the larder.' It’s sure to inspire a double-take moment from onlookers looking to grab a mug. Take it as a chance to experiment with bold, vibrant colors or wallpaper patterns that might otherwise overshadow your overall kitchen aesthetic
Arguably it’s a shame to hide such artistry behind closed doors, so perhaps go ahead and remove those doors entirely. Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company, says ‘Painting a selection of cabinet backboards in an elegant pastel can be a beautiful way to introduce color, without overwhelming the space.’
2. Invest in unique vintage cabinetry
If you’re looking for that unique, unexpected element to add to your kitchen, chances are that you need to look for it in a unique, unexpected place. Hence why a flea market, vintage store, or online auction are often prime places to start your hunt for one-of-a-kind cabinetry.
'Look to buying vintage or unusual pieces rather than high street shopping. It is putting things in your kitchen that may be better suited to a living room or your grandma's home,' says Helen Parker. 'Mix up old with new and always try to source authentic and well-made pieces.' Vintage pieces in kitchens exude easy charm and character no matter the age of your space.
You could repurpose a charming antique door or window shutter as a cabinet door, a tried and true approach that always adds historical charm to your home. Give these pieces a professional clean and, if in doubt, keep them away from any real culinary action – an ‘80s filing cabinet is perfect for storing spices, less so for food prep.
3. Add a pop of color with stained glass
'I love the idea of glass-front cabinets as a way to add an additional styling opportunity in a kitchen,' says Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home. To take the look to the next dimension, incorporate stained or colored glass for that all-important talking point.
Stained glass is ideal for a unique take on glass cabinetry, whether repurposed from vintage finds or DIYed yourself with an at-home kit (and you know that it’s timeless thanks to churches and ancient buildings testing the trend for centuries). Better yet, use the unexpected red theory to swap out a plain glass front for a red one.
4. Reflect your personality with mirrored cabinetry
Mirrored backsplashes has been a popular option for kitchen lovers for some time now, but cabinetry is just catching on to the latest style sensation. A flush mirrored cabinetry above your head can evoke a real sense of spaciousness. Not to mention, it looks luxe and ultra-modern without having to splash out on pricier materials.
If you can’t bear parting with your crown molding on cabinets, consider popping out your glass panels for mirrored ones instead. We love an antique mirror finish to add rustic charm whilst helpfully disguising cooking spills and splatters.
5. Be bold with hardware
Kitchen hardware is famously the cherry on top of any delicious cabinet. But why not make it the whole dessert? There’s a wide array of handles, latches, hinges to brighten up any ordinary cabinet. From antique brass pulls to floral knobs, don’t be afraid to experiment with pattern and rich texture.
As Merlin Wright, design director at Plain English Design explains, 'Uniqueness can be achieved by using bold color perhaps in a gloss finish and combining this with some wonderful ironmongery.'
Hardware can be great for adding cohesion within a kitchen, such as pulling in colors from a beloved Dutch oven or coffee machine. For instance, lime green might be a bit of an ask for a kitchen cabinet color, in the world of hardware, it can be a lower-commitment way to bring in something unexpected.
6. Fall in love with reeded glass
If your space is looking a touch two-dimensional, chances are that it’s crying out for texture. Reeded glass, also known as fluted glass or ribbed glass, offers this in abundance, giving a new take on glass-front cabinetry.
Richard Davenport, managing director at Davonport, says that 'Reeded glass adds a touch of art deco glamour to any room. It’s not a dominating look, or one that will easily date, but it gives rooms a nod to the 30s and the elegance that this period is synonymous with.'
Yet despite its historical roots, reeded glass can look at home with any style or age of home. It feels contemporary even today, even so far that smoky, reeded glass goes a long way to modernize more traditional cabinetry. 'Simple in style but impressive in impact, it’s a key feature for creating cabinetry that looks different to what’s considered standard,' adds Richard.
7. Go Dutch with a Dutch Larder
For a truly unique kitchen cabinet, you might have to look across the continent for a slice of Flemish flair. Introducing the Dutch Larder, where practicality meets historical authenticity and design.
'As a piece of furniture, the Dutch Larder brings theatricality to a room with its arched and ornately paneled doors and grand proportion,' says Merlin Wright. 'While not always necessarily historically appropriate, the addition of a grand cupboard set within a relatively simple and low-key space can bring wonderful drama and interest. Unexpected in its sense of use also, opening such large-scale doors gives a sense of joy and wonder.'
So what if it doesn’t match with the rest of your kitchen? That’s even more Dutch chic, a mismatched look is perfect for creating a really unique and characterful kitchen. As designer Bethany Adams explains, 'A combination of disparate elements can be surprisingly cohesive – even in a small space – as long as they are grounded by traditional cabinetry.'
8. Surprise with unexpected placement
A perfectly normal-looking kitchen cabinet can become unique simply by appearing in an unexpected spot. Think beyond the traditional placements to embrace the joy of serendipitous cabinets; here, there, and everywhere.
'Achieve a freestanding effect by positioning the cupboards out and into the centre of the space, rather than following the external walls. Sometimes it’s good to break the kitchen layout rules,' says Merlin Wright.
Go diagonal or semicircular in your kitchen island approach. Leave sudden spacing between your top cabinetry. Pop a single cabinet on an otherwise empty wall to make it a focal point. Of course, when breaking the 'rules' you do have to consider practicality too, but once you realize you don't just have to stick to rows against walls with your kitchen cabinetry you can get far more creativity and often get more from your space.
9. Opt for floating shelves instead
Sometimes the best way to be unexpected with cabinetry is to ditch it altogether. Okay maybe not all of it, we all need somewhere to store the avalanche of pots and pans. But by investing in smart lower cabinetry storage, you can forego the top in favor of kitchen shelving.
'Floating shelves don't take up a lot of physical – and therefore visual – space, making them ideal for compact or dark kitchens. Swapping even a small run of cabinets for open shelving can make a room feel larger and brighter. It allows for plenty of storage and creates an opportunity to display your favorite dishes, without overwhelming the space with heavy cabinetry,' says Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture.
It’s also a chance to add all those gorgeous, stylish touches to a kitchen that’s both indulgent and deeply necessary. A flower vase, candle holders, all those miscellaneous decor objects that always find their way into our shopping basket on an occurring basis. Designer Kathy Kuo says you can use 'design elements like stacks of cookbooks and decorative objects to create fun vignettes in a way that also feels practical.'
If you want to be unexpected with unique cabinetry, you need to think outside of the box. Quite literally! Being unexpected with kitchen cabinetry is all about taking a chance with color, material, shape, and style to deliver a truly original, breathtaking result.
