When I think of Nate Berkus and his signature kitchen style, statement marble, classic colors, and elevated decor always come to mind. And that's exactly what I expected to see from the kitchen of his latest New York City townhouse project.
While this design still embodies his usual chic style with a touch of personalization, I certainly didn't expect to see the chicken wire-fronted cabinetry, an old-school way to create display cabinets that's long been replaced with glazing and open shelving.
I've always considered it a cabinet detail that makes a kitchen look dated, but he's convinced me that in the right design, it can feel quite the opposite. Here's how he made this unexpected kitchen cabinet idea feel cool in 2025.
Warm white Shaker cabinets paired with a beautiful marble countertop and backsplash filled with gray and amber tones – it's the bones of a timelessly chic kitchen, something Nate Berkus and his design firm are renowned for creating.
But as I cut to the second image in his Instagram carousel, I was met with a totally unexpected feature – chicken wire-front cabinet doors. It's something I haven't seen included in modern kitchens for quite some time, and one I had marked as bit tired and dated, reserved for rustic, fussy, country kitchens.
Yet this design has made a strong case for their comeback. Where glass-fronted kitchen cabinets instantly feel very traditional, this wire alternative has an almost industrial feel to it that feels right at home in a more contemporary or transitional kitchen.
Why does it work? It's instantly added breathing space to the continuous run of upper cabinets and created a space for displaying beautiful kitchenware without compromising on storage.
But it's also because Nate has displayed really beautiful pieces in these cabinets that add to the aesthetic of the kitchen. The rustic nature of the wire has been complemented by the more organic materials, such as wood and terracotta. He's kept the colors minimal, with white bowls and clear glassware, which allows that wire pattern to shine.
There's also a very subtle detail that helps the wire detail feel at home in this design. By bringing that circular motif into different elements of the kitchen, from the cabinet hardware to the kitchen countertop decor, it instantly feels harmonious with the rest of the scheme.
This kitchen is a masterclass in making this cabinet detail feel chic in modern-day kitchens. It's all about the right mix of materials and knowing when to stop. If every cupboard were covered in wire, it would feel overused and too cliché farmhouse.
But, unsurprisingly, Nate has nailed the look and convinced me that chicken wire-fronted cabinets just might be making a comeback in future kitchen trends.
Shop the look
Nate introduced a dark vase to this kitchen to add to the contrast of the chicken wire and lighter cabinets. I love this design from McGee & Co – it's the perfect size for your countertops or kitchen island.
Elevated decor truly comes into its own in this kitchen, and adds that luxury touch to contrast with the wire-framed cabinets. The marble mortar and pestle is a perfect example – and more useful than you might think.
Wood tones are key to balancing the wire details, and cutting boards take center stage. He's chosen to introduce a few designs, all of which feature a circular hole at the top, like this design, to mirror the shape of the wire.
This kitchen cabinet detail might be making an unexpected return, but this space proves it can look elevated in the right design. It might not be topping designers' list of kitchen cabinet trends this year, but it's one that's sure to turn heads in 2026 and beyond.
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