Kitchen Cabinetry And How To Customize It To Your Style
A kitchen says a lot about your home, so it should make a good impression. Cabinetry takes up roughly half of a kitchen's space so it needs to be carefully considered. This is a basic guide to cabinetry and how you can utilize it to showcase your individual style.
Cabinet Boxes
The cabinet box (the interior portion where items are stored) typically comes in the following materials in certain standard sizes. However, they can also be custom-made. Kitchen cabinets are going to be subject to a lot of use so it's important to choose a durable material.
Plywood
Plywood is layers of wood sealed together. It's generally covered with laminate, melamine, or wood veneer to provide protection and look more appealing. It's inexpensive, resistant to moisture, and very durable.
Particleboard
Particleboard is made of ground-up wood chips that are glued together. Like plywood, it is sealed in an aesthetically pleasing outer layer. Though not as sturdy as other materials, it is the most affordable option.
Medium-Density Fiberboard
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a composite made from small wood fibers and adhesive resin. It is very smooth and is resistant to peeling and cracking.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is the most expensive but is also the most durable option with great longevity.
Metal
Metal cabinetry is most often stainless steel. It will last a long time, and unlike wood, it is not affected by moisture. Metal cabinets look great with modern or industrial-styled kitchens.
Cabinet Fronts
The cabinet fronts are the first impression of your kitchen so it's important to have them match your style. Wooden cabinet fronts such as pine, maple, poplar, birch, ash, beech, walnut, oak, cherry, and mahogany can all be stained to bring out their beautiful natural colors. Cabinet fronts can also be painted in any color to add character. Though white is always classic, consider stepping out of the box and painting your cabinetry a lively color to add personality.
There are four basic types of cabinet fronts.
Raised-Panel Doors
These doors have a raised section in the middle are most often made with real hardwood. They provide texture and traditionality. This is typically what you'll find with rustic or old-fashioned homes.
Recessed Panel Doors
The middle of these doors is recessed and the outer edge features clean-cut, squared angled trim. They go great with a simple and contemporary style and are common in shaker-style homes.
Slab Doors
As straightforward as their name suggests, these cabinet fronts are one solid slab. Slab doors are ideal for minimalistic kitchens because they offer a very clean and unobtrusive design.
Glass Doors
Mullion frame doors are cabinet fronts that have dividing bars between small panes of glass. These can be uniform squares or any kind in intricate shape. They are great for homes that have a cozy feel. There are also open-frame glass doors that have one solid panel of glass. Their sleek single panel is a great mix of traditional and modern styles. Both mullion frame doors and open-frame doors are great accent pieces.
Hardware
There are two kinds of hardware, knobs, and pulls. Knobs are attached to the cabinetry at one point and typically used on cupboards. Pulls are attached at two points and generally used on drawers.
The hardware that you choose can match the style of the fronts of the cabinets, or you can contrast them to shake things up. Smooth pipe-like knobs look great with modern streamlined cabinetry. You can choose ornate metal handles for a traditional vintage touch. From copper cup pulls, distressed black iron, vintage brushed brass, funky ceramic shapes, to blown glass, the options for cabinet hardware are endless.
There is a lot to consider when installing or updating kitchen cabinetry, but with these basics and honing in on your style you'll be able to make your kitchen reflect your unique style. For more information about kitchen cabinets, contact a local cabinet supplier.
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