The domestic American kitchen has been one of the most prominent places to see the shift in interior design and social trends throughout the decades.
In the past century, popular kitchen trends have swung back and forth between playful and colorful and modern and minimal. The kitchen is a physical representation of the American psyche: a sociable space to enjoy precious time with family and feel a sense of belonging and comfort. It truly is the heart of the home.
Nowhere has this shift been more noticeable than in the latest kitchen cabinet trends. As with all good things, they come back. And 1980s kitchen cabinet ideas, in particular, are having a resurgence in popularity for 2025, according to some of our favorite kitchen designers and decorators.
All the world's best homes are reviving '80s kitchen cabinet styles, and here is everything you need to know to embrace it, too.
1. Oak kitchen cabinetry
Oak cabinet kitchen ideas are nothing new – they were a popular choice in the 1980s because of their classic appeal, not to mention the fact oak is a durable material that improves with age. But if you think that oak kitchens are a relic of the past, think again.
In recent years, there have been several new and interesting techniques that have reinvigorated the material and made this old staple a modern favorite.
Oak belongs in both contemporary and classic schemes, from smooth, flat-fronted modern cabinetry to rough-sawn country-style cabinetry, so there is an oak wood look for everyone.
Detail is at the heart of this sensational kitchen by Ledbury Studio. ‘Handmade from English and European Oak with patinated zinc highlights, it blends a strong contemporary feel with traditional craftsmanship,’ says founder Charlie Smallbone. ‘Highlights include the exquisite design of the tall cupboards.’ The finished look is a contemporary nod to the past.
2. White kitchen
Kitchens in the 1980s were lighter and brighter. Yes, white laminate kitchen cabinets with wood trims were emerging as a contrast to the bolder, colorful designs of the '60s and '70s.
Another popular design concept was invisible kitchens without handles. The '80s ushered in a sleeker, streamlined look with white or ivory Formica countertops.
Today, white kitchen cabinet ideas are back in the zeitgeist once again. White is the most popular kitchen cabinet color bar none. If your goal is to create a 'wow' kitchen, but you want to maintain a classic and timeless style in your home, then white cabinets are an extremely tranquil and liveable option. However, it can veer on the side of 'outdated' if not executed right. So how do you make a white kitchen look contemporary?
Using similar tones for the kitchen countertops and cabinetry provides a modern, modular look that’s particularly effective with a handleless design like Roundhouse’s Urbo range.
‘Most homeowners appreciate the benefits of testing paint colors in location but, with whites, it is crucial as they can be altered beyond recognition by light and shadow,’ says Ben Hawkswell, senior designer at Roundhouse. ‘Here on the cabinets, we used Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball, which is a clean off-white that can look like a traditional gray in some lights. But it has chalky undertones that, in a sun-filled room like this, appear much brighter and more contemporary.'
3. Glass-fronted kitchen cabinets
What's old is new again, and glass-fronted cabinets are once again at the forefront of the latest kitchen designs. It would seem that some of our favorite designers are in agreement.
'Glass-fronted cabinets are most certainly back on trend and we love using them in projects,' says Jayne Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens. 'They look great in a kitchen whether it's for displaying your treasured pottery collection for all to admire or for softening the overall impact of a block of cabinetry color.'
Brogan Cox, creative director at Sebastian Cox shares this sentiment. ‘Treat your glazed cabinets like display cases to arrange and present the things that bring you joy,' she says. 'I think a glass door is a window through which you can enjoy the view. That is why the backs of our glazed cabinets are made from woven wood. Why waste an opportunity to create a beautiful display of the objects, materials, colors, or textures you love the most?’
It's not just their aesthetic qualities that are appealing, but their practical ones, too. 'Glass finishes maximize the flow of light into darker corners. Cabinets take up a large amount of space, so having glass-fronted doors can break up the block. Like mirrored surfaces, glass inserts create an illusion of depth and increase the perception of square footage, which is a bonus in smaller kitchens,' says kitchen designer Tom Howley.
Shop my favorite items to display in cabinets and on shelves
There’s a lot to love about the traditional 1980s American kitchen. If you are a purveyor of historical design you'll most likely agree that kitchens from this overlooked decade are worth taking a look at – they are a source of unexpected design inspiration.
