When building a new home or planning a renovation, your kitchen cabinets influence the overall design aesthetic. Whether it's a compact kitchenette or a fully equipped kitchen with an island, functionality and style are essential. Our team of experienced designers offer tips for choosing the best kitchen cabinets that will stand the test of time.
Different Types of Kitchen Cabinets
Flat-panel kitchen cabinets always reemerge as a popular trend due to their contemporary appearance. The minimalist look of their slab doors amplifies the sense of space, making them a perfect choice for modern kitchens and they are easy to clean!
Shaker kitchen cabinets are a timeless classic. Known for their square edges or box-shaped appearance they offer a versatile and stylish solution for any home. The flat front panels of the shaker-style cabinets make it easy to clean. Unlike raised cabinets, they do not grease easily.
Raised panel kitchen cabinets feature a center portion of the door that is slightly raised with additional architectural elements to elevate the design. The Royal style, packed full of special characteristics and fine details that come together to create a one of a kind product. However, they tend to be more expensive than flat panel options due to their intricate details. Explore the Pantheon collection by Cucine Lube.
Bay Area Cabinetry offers a wide selection of European kitchen cabinets crafted with precision and attention to detail.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Kitchen Cabinets
Think about your cooking habits, where you prefer to store dishes, and the cookware you use daily. Ensure your favorite baking pans fit close to the oven before finalizing the setup. While open shelving is a popular choice for many projects, it's essential to consider its practicality and suitability for your own home.
Consider if the colors and patterns will continue to bring you joy in a few years. The ideal approach is to choose a classic design with a modern twist that remains stylish and timeless.
Material and Finish
Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are available in various materials, including wood, steel, glass, laminates, and other finishes. For instance, stainless steel and solid wood doors are better at withstanding the impact of children's toys compared to wood veneer. However, they also tend to be more expensive. Fenix Laminate is highly durable and anti-fingerprint, providing a matte as well as soft touch appearance.
Lower-quality cabinets will not hold up as long as custom units. Although they may look fine, the subpar components could end up making drawers and doors close awkwardly and become annoying in daily use.
Gruppo LUBE offers a wide range of kitchen cabinets, made with premium materials that can resist the wear and tear of daily use.
Functional Cabinet Designs
Use deep drawers for storing pots and pans, and install pull-out shelves to maximize the use of hard-to-reach spaces. Additionally, utilize the space under the sink and beneath furniture for storing items like pots, pans, and plates. Make the most of corner cabinets and other hard to reach areas with custom storage.
Beyond basic cabinets, there are a few special features that can make a kitchen even more appealing. One is an integrated pullout drawer for trash and recycling, so you’re not jamming a bin under the sink.
Trends in Kitchen Cabinet Colors
Before choosing colors, consider the amount of natural light in your kitchen. If your kitchen gets a lot of natural light, you can choose darker colors. Red stimulates the appetite, while blue and green are relaxing. Yellow can increase energy and creativity.
If your kitchen has little natural light, opt for white, beige, and light gray colors to brighten it up. Choose opaque and glossy materials that reflect light and create an airy environment.
Add contrast to your kitchen by choosing different colors for cabinets, countertops, and walls. For example, you can choose dark cabinets white marble countertops, or a brightly colored wall.
Installation Tips
Cabinet installation starts with a well-thought-out layout. Additional electrical boxes may be necessary to meet code requirements for any built in cabinetry and if you’re expanding your space. When relocating appliances, expect plumbing, gas, and electrical feed changes. The inner workings of every kitchen involve a significant amount of behind-the-scenes infrastructure.
For homeowners planning to rearrange, it's best to start organizing these tasks as soon as possible. Arrange for your flooring contractor to come in before cabinet installation, except for laminate floating floors, which must be installed after the cabinets are in place.
Maintaining and Caring for Your Kitchen Cabinets
Maintaining the original beauty of your kitchen cabinets is a lot a lot easier when you start from the moment they are installed. Clean your kitchen cabinets regularly with a damp cloth to preserve the added value to your home after remodeling.
To avoid discoloration or damage to refaced and natural surfaces, it's best to minimize exposure to extreme heat, and cooking smoke in your kitchen whenever possible. A powerful fan is the best way to pull out any excess heat.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right kitchen cabinets can significantly impact the functionality and look of your kitchen. It's important to consider design, style, material, functionality, size, and budget. If you need help making a decision on your new cabinets, schedule a free design consultation with our team.