Chrissy Teigen's unpainted cabinets mark a return to natural kitchens – an aesthetic that's not expected to waver

Our chosen cabinet hues are among the most impactful decisions we can make when designing our kitchen – but this year, we're doing things differently. Trend forecasters say 2024 is the time we strip things back to basics and allow natural, unpainted cabinets to take center stage, and of course, Chrissy Teigen was doing this before it was a 'trend.' 

Designed by Jake Arnold, Chrissy and John Legend's wooden kitchen cabinets are a hero of their neutral kitchen. Their unpainted nature balances the most luxurious elements of their space (not least the statement marble that makes frequent appearances on Chrissy's Instagram), while their vertical shape is a practical storage solution that makes use of all space. 

It's a look that hasn't gone unnoticed by designers, who say that organic kitchen cabinets similar to Chrissy's will shape kitchen trends for seasons ahead. 

'We will be seeing the continuation of wood in the kitchen for 2024; combining the natural material with painted cabinetry creates a harmonious feel,' comments designer Kate Feather. The designer explains that (perhaps unsurprisingly) Chrissy's kitchen sets the standard for decorating, not least thanks to her luxe marble and natural kitchen cabinet pairing. 

'Wood works well when layered with other neutral materials, such as white marble countertops, and adds a gentle warmth, especially when contrasted against polished steel and fluted glass.'

Kitchen Designer

Kitchen Designer

Kate Feather

Kate Feather is the founder of her eponymous South West London-based kitchen brand, which started in 2018. Kate started her career as a CAD technician for a cabinet-making company and gradually moved on to specialize in kitchen design and interior architecture. This experience  – and also being a mother of three – influences her practical approach when designing each Kate Feather project. Kate is passionate about creating beautiful and functional spaces, believing the kitchen is a multi-tasking hub of the home.

Unsurprisingly, Kate is not exclusive in her observations. William Durrant, the owner of Herringbone, similarly forecasts a similar design trend. 

'Earth colors like a lime wash, light yellow, pastels instead of cream and greys, or just wood is a beautiful design element for 2024,' he says. 'Combining the light base color of cabinets with darker and more dramatic worktop elevates the design, adding interest while keeping the space light, airy and calm, creating a romantic mood and atmosphere.'

Kitchen Designer

Kitchen Designer

William Durrant

William Durrant has worked in the kitchen industry for almost a decade. After learning from powerful kitchen brands, he had a desire to manage all aspects of the design project, so he founded Herringbone Kitchens. He now owns the UK-based kitchen company, where he manages a talented creative team and creates kitchens while observing international design trends. 

And why should we stop with our cabinets? William similarly recommends incorporating the trend with natural wooden statements, such as kitchen islands, dressers, or display units that 'bring warmth, elegance, and luxurious textures into our space.'

'This material makes for a lovely and timeless piece of furniture that will stand the test of time. Combined with heavily veined marble, these two texture powerhouses create a real wow factor.'

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We can also flirt with this aesthetic without having to swap out our cabinets. Here are three of our current favorite kitchen must-haves.