You know how sometimes you’re just in a mood? Well this mood may be hard to break, because moody cabinets are in! As the fall is officially here, New York already has leaves falling and changing, temperatures that just beg you to wear a stylish jacket, and pumpkin spice everything. Why not bring that autumn crisp to your home?
Moody cabinets might not sound very inviting, but if anything they can be warm, comforting, and cozy, adding a dramatic look to your space. Think taupes like the pre-assembled Vienna Rift Oak or the ready-to-assemble Natural Grey Shaker, stone like the RTA Stone Grey or pre-assembled Tuscan Stone, greens like the pre-assembled Midtown Pistachio Green or the RTA Woodland Green, charcoals like the RTA Charcoal Grey Shaker or the RTA Charlotte Dark Grey – perfect for fall colors and cooler weather!
Rooms to Be Moody In
Honestly, some rooms in your house may just scream moody because of the lighting or space. But certain rooms can lend really well to a moody theme – think library, book nook, home office, even your kitchen! “You can make any space have a moody atmosphere,” says The RTA Store Designer, Elisabeth. “It’s all about the vibe or feeling you are trying to create, so the space speaks for itself.” Let’s break down some of the classic rooms to make moody:
Kitchen
Moody cabinets can be particularly striking in a kitchen! Deep greens or charcoal tones can add richness and drama, especially when paired with warm wood accents or brass/gold hardware. These combos can create a high-end, designer look while keeping the feel cozy and grounded
Bathroom
In bathrooms, moody cabinets can transform a small space into a luxurious retreat. Charcoal or taupe vanities with marble or quartz tops give a spa-like, sophisticated atmosphere. If you’re using lighter tiles and mirrors for design, darker tones can add depth and contrast.
Office
Deep green or stone cabinetry works well in offices because it fosters a calming, focused environment. These colors bring a sense of stability and elegance, perfect for built-in bookcases or desks.
Dining Room with Built-Ins
Moody tones often make dining spaces feel dramatic and intimate. Enhance the dining experience by adding rich green or stone cabinets with natural textures.
I love to incorporate a moodier, aesthetic and darker design in spaces like Bar rooms, TV areas, mud rooms, and bathrooms. – The RTA Store Designer, Christina
Living/Media Room
Create a cozy vibe in a living/media with dark cabinets as an entertainment center, fireplace built-in, or bar.
“Darker tones and layered lighting are going to create a sense of intimacy that brings a calmness to a space,” says Christina, The RTA Store Designer. When incorporating darker tones with rich textures, you’re going to get a very luxurious result. This is very common in places like high-end boutiques and luxury spas!
Getting Moody with It
Whatever style you are modeling your home design around, you can create a moody space to fit in just fine. But there are some design styles that fit perfectly with moody cabinets. Farmhouse, cottage, traditional, and transitional styles are easier to incorporate moody spaces into.
Darker tones also work really well when you have something in your space that you want to create as your focal point. Art pieces, glass doors, cabinets, lighting fixtures, etc. They often stand out more against a darker backdrop than they would against a lighter one!
I love adding a moody dark bar area in a part of a living room, or adding moody colored cabinets off a library area to create more of a cozy environment – The RTA Store Designer Elisabeth
Some moody spaces can look darker, which in turn makes it feel smaller. But there are some elements that can be added in order to help brighten up the space without losing the moody vibe, says Elisabeth, The RTA Store Designer. “Adding gold hardware or fixtures, or a warmer wood tone that’s not too dark or too light. Like Goldilocks said, ‘just right’.”
Joining the Dark Side
Because moody can become just plain dark rather quickly, it’s best to actually design the space versus just add some darker-toned cabinets. You’ll want a happy balance between dark and light – light upper and lower cabinets with a dark moody cabinet island that pops, light tile as a kitchen backsplash or bathroom floor/shower with dark cabinets or vanity.
You can also create a moody feeling while keeping things light just by adding bolder and darker statements. For example, keeping kitchen cabinets light but having a darker countertop with a pop of green on a wood hood and island. Lighting can also make a big difference! Think warm light and natural light, rather than cooler light.
But then there are some rooms that just crave the moodiness, like a library or book nook in a lounge/reading room. Dark cabinets paired with dark colors for the walls and lower lighting can make this type of room feel inviting and comfortable for reading. Also having a majority dark bathroom can sound dreary, but done right can actually lend to a luxurious spa-like feel.
But don’t be afraid to go full dark if it suits your space and your style! Kitchens often have not only dark cabinets, but a wood or dark countertop and dark backsplash or wallpaper to make it pop. When designed together, multiple moody elements make for a perfect kitchen.
And let’s not forget the potential best part of dark cabinets, smudges and clutter often are not seen as easily! Scratches and nicks on darker tones can often blend in and look natural, but on glossy dark cabinets, fingerprints can be more noticeable as can hard water spots.
What Would Our Designers Do
Our Designer Christina says that darker tones can often be categorized as more timeless – it’s often that white or bright tones can date themselves rather quickly! “I love the Providence Natural Grey and the Artisan Black Shaker. I also love the townships, moodier options like the Township Rift Black Oak!”
Designer Elisabeth says that greens, browns, burgundy, dark blue, navy blue, blacks, charcoal, and dark grey go well with moody cabinets. When using a dark color, it’s wise to add a lighter color like a warmer white, warmer grey, or cooler cream to balance with the darker colors on the walls or flooring!
Working with The RTA Store
The RTA Store is your online one-stop-shop for all your cabinet needs and accessories. Our ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets give you the look and durability of custom cabinetry at 30-50% less than big box stores. With A-grade plywood boxes and door/drawer fronts a combination of hardwood and MDF/HDF, our cabinets come with a 20 year limited warranty.
But don’t stop there – we also have all the accessories you would need for your dream kitchen and inside cabinets. Work with The RTA Store to complete your kitchen with hood vents, sinks and faucets, backsplash tile, countertops, flooring, and under-cabinet lights.
From spice drawers and plate dividers to mixer lifts and trash pullouts in the kitchen, you’ll find more inside cabinet accessories at The RTA Store than you’ll have room for. And it’s not limited to just the kitchen! Think file organizer for the office, hamper pullout in the laundry room, or vanity organizer in the bathroom, to make your space exactly how you want it.
Not ready to commit to a cabinet collection? Ordering fully-refundable cabinet door samples is a great way to see the style and color in your exact space and lighting. You’d be surprised how different a finish can look in different lighting! Plus, many of our cabinets have matching collections that you can mix together in one room, with one collection for upper cabinets and another for lower cabinets, or different cabinets for the kitchen island.
Once you’re ready to start planning, a member of our free design service will work closely with you from steps A-Z, letting you know exactly what size cabinets you need for your space and double-checking to make sure everything lines up perfectly. Our upgraded design service gives you unlimited design revisions and unlimited price quotes, plus the cost of the service is taken off your total once you order!
No matter the room or cabinet of your choice, we’re here to help you make your dream space a reality at whatever budget you need. Located near the Hudson Valley in New York? Come visit our showroom on Route 52 in Hopewell Junction, NY!
