A well-thought-out cabinet design can make a big difference in the look of your kitchen. From the type of cabinets to door handles, a variety of design options are available to complement your space.
Two cabinet construction styles to consider include framed and frameless. Framed cabinets have a face frame that holds hinges and doors.
1. Shaker
Shaker cabinets are one of the most versatile cabinet designs because they can be adapted to many different styles. This is partly because they are simple, minimalist, and crafted to last for decades. They have been around since the 19th century and originated from a religious community known as the Shakers. This community believed in the principles of simplicity, utility and honesty. These tenets are what led to the creation of their furniture. Their artisan furniture became famous for its quality and craftsmanship. Today, shaker style cabinets are still used in homes around the world.
If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen with shaker style cabinets, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, the structure of your cabinets will play a big role in how they look. There are three main cabinet construction types: inset, partial overlay, and full overlay. Inset cabinets are constructed with cabinet doors & drawer headers that fit inside the frame of the cabinet face, giving them a built-in look. Partial overlay cabinets have small gaps between cabinet doors and the frame, while full overlay cabinets have recessed panels that sit over the frame of the cabinet.
Another way to change the look of your shaker cabinets is by choosing a stain color. Stains are available in a variety of colors, and some even come with natural textures. One popular option is gray, which looks good with both traditional and modern cabinetry. Gray is also durable and easy to maintain, as it resists heat, chemicals, scratches, fungus, mildew, and water better than other stain colors.
Lastly, you can also choose to paint your shaker cabinets. This is an easy and cost-effective way to transform the look of your kitchen. You can choose a light or dark shade to match your kitchen theme. If you are going with a lighter shade, consider using SmartShield to protect your cabinets from moisture and staining. This protective coating will make your shaker cabinets sturdier and easier to clean.
2. Traditional
Traditional cabinets are characterized by a variety of classic designs and colors. They are a good fit for homeowners who are looking to create a homey and comfortable space. They also offer versatility, as they can be used for both casual and formal dining spaces.
Traditional kitchen cabinet designs feature a classic color palette that includes neutrals and earthy hues. They also incorporate a lot of wood accents to add texture and visual appeal to the cabinets. These details can be carved to resemble antique furniture or to project a more natural feel.
Some of the most popular types of wood used in traditional kitchen cabinets are cherry, maple and oak. They have distinct grain patterns and are prized for aging gracefully. These types of wood also have rich tones that complement the natural colors of traditional cabinets.
When choosing a finish for your traditional cabinets, you want to choose a color that will enhance the beauty of the wood without overshadowing it. White is a common option for traditional kitchens because it creates a light and airy ambiance. It is also easy to match with other design elements, such as the faucet and hardware.
To complement the wood tones of your traditional kitchen cabinets, you can use natural metal hardware. Using a silver or bronze finish on your cabinet hardware can help tie together the look of your traditional kitchen design. Other hardware options that work well with traditional cabinetry include drop pulls, cup and bin pulls and antique brass.
Another way to add the perfect finishing touch to your traditional cabinets is by adding decorative valances. These are typically placed over kitchen windows, hoods or cabinets and are designed to add a bit of flair to the room. They can be shaped and adorned with a wide variety of decorations to suit any taste or mood.
3. Modern
A modern cabinet style is clean and simple, with minimal ornamentation. They feature flat panels, or slab doors without raised edges. They use light colors and hardware for a fresh, sleek look. They may incorporate furniture-inspired details like decorative legs or corbels. They can also incorporate slopes and curves to create a more organic feel.
There are many different options for materials and finishes to achieve a modern look. For example, some people choose to go with wood stains, which can be painted in a wide range of colors including white, gray and vibrant hues like reds and greens. Others choose to use textured laminate which provides a rich, natural looking finish that’s durable.
Another option for modern cabinets is to use a metal material like aluminum or stainless steel, which can be used for the cabinet frames and drawer fronts. It’s also possible to use glass for the cabinet fronts and shelves for a contemporary feel.
To help your cabinets have a more modern feel, you can use a modern type of cabinet hardware like J or C channel metal rail pulls. These hardware features a sleek, smooth design that’s fully integrated into the cabinet door or drawer face. This helps create a more seamless appearance and eliminates the chance of dust or dirt collecting in the grooves of traditional knobs and handles.
If you’re considering a more modern cabinet design, be sure to check out the brand name and review their customer satisfaction rating before making your final decision. Some reputable brands include Plain English, which has been around for decades and just recently launched in the United States, as well as upscale Italian manufacturer Snaidero. The latter has a line of “LOOK” cabinets that is popular for its minimalistic designs and sophisticated European aesthetics.
4. Contemporary
Contemporary cabinets are sleek and stylish, but they’re also more organic than modern styles. This simplified cabinet design features clean lines without showy ornamental details such as crown molding and utilizes natural materials like real wood fronts and standard appliances for a homier feel. They also feature maximum storage, tall features and an illusion of larger space.
Laminated Finish
Laminates are often used for their affordability and versatility in contemporary cabinet designs. They are a combination of different material layers that include the top layer that has a decorative design, pattern or texture, the second layer that is comprised of a durable melamine resin and the core layer that contains a Kraft paper reinforced with resin. This type of material is also known as a thermofoil.
Veneer
Veneers are commonly used for their stability and are a popular choice for contemporary kitchen cabinet designs because they project the natural beauty of solid wood, but offer less risk of warping or splitting. They are bonded together with heat and pressure to form a thick sheet of material that is then applied to medium density fiberboard or engineered wood. Veneer contemporary cabinets are characterized by their flat surfaces and slab style doors and are typically paired with neutral colors like white or gray.
Hardware Styles
Metal hardware is a good option for contemporary kitchen cabinets because they are subtle and complement the minimalist aesthetic. Flat bar pulls are a common choice because they have square edges and an angular profile that accentuates the linear design of contemporary cabinetry. Stainless steel tab pulls are another great option for contemporary cabinetry because they work like design accents and provide easy access to drawers and cabinets.
5. Transitional
A transitional kitchen is a great way to mix up traditional and modern elements without creating a clash. However, it’s important to remember that subtlety is key – you don’t want the look of your kitchen to feel overdone or outdated. Decorative ornamentation on cabinetry, molding and other features can quickly become out of date so be sure to keep these elements to a minimum for an elegant look that stands the test of time.
Transitional cabinets often feature a combination of woods, neutral colors and a mix of traditional and contemporary styles. For example, you’ll find painted Shaker style doors paired with contemporary hardware in a classic color like black or brass for a balanced look. Neutral glazed ceramic backsplash tiles are also common in transitional kitchens, whether laid in a herringbone pattern for a traditional feel or stacked for a more modern vibe.
Streamlined countertops are another feature of transitional kitchens, which are usually a blend of low-maintenance materials like quartz or quartzite and more organic options like Arabescato statuary marble. You’ll also see a variety of countertop profiles, including waterfall islands that are popular in open-concept spaces because they can hide the legs of chairs and other storage components beneath the counters.
A clean, uncluttered look is a staple of transitional kitchens, so plenty of lighting is also essential. Bright, diffused natural light works well, and many homeowners choose to replace their dated recessed can fixtures with more creative pendant lights. You’ll also find a mix of oversized and tubular pulls in black, brass, chrome or other metallic finishes for an appealing balance.
