Which Style of Cabinet is Right for the Look of Your Kitchen?

 One of the many decisions made during a kitchen renovation is the type of cabinets to install. The right cabinets can make a kitchen welcoming, while the wrong ones can give both the residents of the home and guests the sense that something is simply not right. Cabinets found in kitchens are:1. Wall cabinets2. Pantry cabinets3. Base cabinetsBase cabinets are further subdivided into the standard base cabinets, which has a drawer above the door and shelves inside; the drawer base cabinet, which has multiple drawers for utensils; the sink base cabinet, which has an open space to accommodate the sink’s plumbing and the corner base, which fits into a corner and may be fitted with a lazy Susan.

Types

Kitchen cabinets can be framed or frameless. Frameless cabinets tend to be roomier, so a homeowner may consider them if they need a lot of storage. The clean lines of frameless cabinets are appropriate for modern or contemporary kitchens.

Materials

Though the kitchen is a place subject to high levels of heat and humidity, there are still many types of wood that can be used to make kitchen cabinets. Often, the cabinets are made of layers of inferior wood or fiberboard with a quality wood veneer such as maple or cherry. Wood cabinets are either painted or coated with a clear varnish that protects them.

Melamine

This material is made of layers of a special paper impregnated with plastic. It’s then bonded onto wood or MDF, or medium density fiberboard.

Thermofoil

This type of material is MDF coated with vinyl.

Stainless Steel

This is steel alloyed with chromium or other metals. These cabinets are usually not 100 percent stainless steel, which would make them too heavy. The stainless steel is bonded to MDF or wood. Stainless steel cabinets are excellent choices for modern kitchens.

Styles of Cabinets

The Shaker style cabinet door usually has a sunken panel bordered by wood slats. The style was named after the Shakers, a religious sect known for the sturdiness and simple beauty of their furniture. Homeowners find this style appropriate for both modern and traditional decor but it can be pricey, especially if the cabinets are made of wood. Shaker style cabinets made of laminate tend to be less expensive.

• In the inset style, the central door panel is proud of the frame instead of the inside. These types of cabinets must have exposed hardware. Buy hinges, pulls or knobs for many kitchen cabinet doors and drawers can be surprisingly expensive, but the end result adds beauty to a more traditional kitchen.

• Distressed cabinets are painted and treated in ways that make them look like antiques. These types of cabinets certainly look good in a traditional kitchen, but a creative homemaker or interior designer might get away with placing them in a more contemporary setting.

• Louvered cabinets are made of horizontal slats that give the kitchen a unique look. Some of them have openings between the slats to allow for ventilation

• Beadboard cabinets have center panels that look like old-fashioned beadboard. These look good in country kitchens, but the space between the beadboard may be challenging to keep clean.

• Wall cabinets with clear glass panels show off the homeowner’s dining ware or other collectibles. Frosted glass panels just hint at what’s behind them. The cabinets are even more attractive if hidden strips of LED lights are installed within them.

No matter what cabinet type you think is best, contact Kurtis Kitchen today for more information.