Why Bold And Colorful Lacquer Finishes Are Making A Comeback In Kitchens - Tasting Table

"The gloss and color-pop of lacquer is a refreshing alternative - it achieves a playful vibrancy with modern sophistication. There are plenty of perks that come with lacquer finishes, too. For one thing, lacquer can be applied almost anywhere, from an accent kitchen island to your dining table to the material for all of your counters and cabinets. It introduces and strengthens the room's color scheme, also contributes some fresh texture with its sleek, shiny finish."

"The sheen and smoothness of lacquer makes it super easy to clean and maintain. It's also durable, part of its purpose is to strengthen and protect surfaces, so any kitchen updates with this material will last you. This also means it's easier and more affordable to update your kitchen as you're not entirely replacing pieces but cleaning, sanding, and painting them with lacquer."

"Today's lacquer is resin mixed with plasticizers and solvents. But craftspeople in ancient China were the first to begin using just the natural tree resin to give furniture a hard, beautifully shiny finish. It became a standard aesthetic in Asian design, and this later spread to Europe as trade routes developed. Gradually, lacquer itself began to spread to other decorative interpretations, most notably as a core element of the Art Deco movement of the 20th century, before its resurgence back into design trends in 2026."

Kitchens are shifting away from minimalist all-white aesthetics toward warm, personalized, stylish, and eclectic designs. Vibrant lacquer finishes provide glossy color pops that balance playfulness with modern sophistication. Lacquer can be applied to islands, dining tables, countertops, and cabinets, reinforcing color schemes and adding sleek, shiny texture. The sheen and smoothness make lacquer easy to clean and maintain, while its durability protects surfaces and prolongs updates. Updating lacquered pieces can be easier and more affordable through cleaning, sanding, and repainting rather than full replacement. Lacquer originated from natural tree resin used by ancient Chinese craftspeople and later influenced Asian aesthetics and Art Deco.

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