The foundation of your kitchen’s structure lies in the cabinetry. With the kitchen cabinet industry expected to surpass 75 billion in 2024, it’s clear that choosing the right ones significantly impacts the look and feel of your kitchen.
Finding the ideal style can be daunting, as there is a wide range of options available. But rest assured, we’re here to assist you through your renovation journey. Let’s explore the various types of kitchen cabinets that will transform your kitchen into the heart of your home.
Why Are Kitchen Cabinets Important?
Kitchen cabinets are a popular home renovation, and it’s no wonder. They have become statement pieces that immediately capture the attention upon entering the room. They also have a major impact on the appearance and atmosphere of the kitchen.
In addition to their visual appeal, they also offer valuable storage space to keep your kitchen clean and organized. They’re also effective in integrating household appliances such as ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
Tips for Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
From growing families, ardent cooks, and empty nesters, kitchen cabinets should accommodate the needs of every household. Here are the numerous factors to consider when making your selection:
- Functionality
- Kitchen layout
- Longevity
- Storage needs
- Design
- Cabinet dimensions
- Accessibility
- Renovation budget
- Durability
- Convenience
- Lifestyle
Assessing the quality of materials, hardware, and construction is also essential. A cabinet specialist or kitchen designer can offer valuable insight, allowing them to create an optimized cabinet design that meets your specific needs.
Main Types of Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets not only add flair and functionality to your space, but they also increase your home’s value and showcase your unique design vision. Let’s look at the three top kitchen cabinet styles to determine the best choice for you:
Wall Cabinets
Wall cabinets, or uppers, are cabinets that mount to the wall. They offer the most flexible design, allowing for variations in widths, heights, and depths.
Upper cabinets can be built to extend to the ceiling, providing additional space and efficient storage for extra ingredients, valuable cookware, and infrequently used appliances.
Base Cabinets
Base cabinets are installed on the floor to provide a sturdy foundation for the countertops. They offer a range of customizable storage options such as cutlery drawer dividers, pots and pans organizers, turntable spice racks, and roll-out waste baskets to enhance functionality.
Tall Cabinets
Tall cabinets can extend from floor to ceiling. They’re typically designed for pantry and utility storage and to accommodate built-in ovens and microwaves.
Features such as pullout organizers and sliding drawer boxes can offer convenient access, streamline your items, and optimize tight or odd spaces.
Kitchen Cabinet Grades
When selecting new cabinets for your kitchen, it’s crucial to consider their quality and if they align with your style and budget. Here’s a breakdown of the main types of cabinet quality grades to give you a better idea:
Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets are specifically designed to accommodate your space and style. The process typically involves a designer evaluating your kitchen to create your ideal vision.
These cabinets are a great way to maximize kitchens with a small or unique layout. They also provide endless storage options and can be built to look high-end.
Semi-stock Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets offer a wide range of features such as custom finishes, decorative upgrades, or the option to adjust dimensions if necessary. They’re also a great option for cabinet refacing, where only the cabinet doors are upgraded while the existing box and shelving remain the same.
While cabinet boxes are delivered in standard sizes, you can customize the drawers, door fronts, and cabinet depth to suit your specific requirements.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets are pre-manufactured, size-specific, and supplied as ready-to-assemble (RTA) and assembled cabinets.
RTA cabinets are affordable, allowing buyers to purchase higher-quality cabinets. They offer a range of colors, styles, and trims and are easy to transport. Assembled cabinets provide easy installation and arrive pre-assembled.
Kitchen Cabinet Styles
When starting a kitchen renovation, you most likely have a few kitchen cabinet ideas in mind. To provide you with some guidance, here are the primary kitchen cabinet styles to help narrow down your options:
Shaker Cabinets
Shaker cabinets are known for their clean lines, square edges, and inset panels. This style of cabinetry is cost-effective and compatible with any kitchen design. They’re also built using premium-quality materials that ensure durability and longevity.
Slab Cabinets
Slab cabinet doors are sleek, simple, and single-boarded. Their flat, solid design has no frame or panel and is excellent for individuals who prefer an industrial or minimalist look.
Beadboard Cabinets
Beadboard cabinet doors feature vertical panels and recessed lines. Their rustic tongue-and-groove design adds charm and character, making it perfect for those seeking a traditional, cottage, or farmhouse kitchen style.
Raised Panel Cabinets
Raised panel cabinets have three-dimensional doors and elevated center panels. The intricate craftsmanship creates a timeless and traditional look. However, this versatile style can blend seamlessly into any kitchen design or theme.
Top Kitchen Cabinet Design Trends
Once you know what style you want, consider adding some personalized touches to your kitchen space. Here are some fabulous kitchen design trends that will elevate your kitchen design:
Glossy Cabinets
Whether you’re looking for a sleek and sophisticated black or a chic and classic white, glossy cabinetry complements any kitchen design. Their reflective surface also makes a room feel brighter and more spacious.
Additionally, these cabinets are versatile, and they look great as a backdrop for modern appliances, bold backsplashes, and accent lighting.
Matte Cabinets
Matte cabinets have a smooth, satin finish that adds sophisticated elegance to your kitchen space. It’s perfect for those who want both a classic and contemporary look.
Additionally, their finish has low reflectivity, making imperfections such as scratches and fingerprints less visible. They’re also practical and easy to clean.
Glass-Front Cabinets
Glass-front cabinets are great for displaying your kitchenware and decorative items. They also offer extra storage space and protect your possessions from collecting dust and grease. You’ll also appreciate the way they reflect light and brighten up your kitchen.
Color Customized Cabinets
Whether it’s with the hardware or fixtures, colors can be used as an accent or a statement piece to create visual interest. Adding a splash of color to your kitchen cabinets also draws the eye and breaks up neutral tones like black, white, and gray.
Natural Wood Cabinets
The warmth of natural woods effectively combines the beauty of nature with contemporary living. Wood elements exude a warm and inviting ambiance, creating a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen. They’re also durable and sustainable and can be painted or re-stained, allowing you to update or recreate the look of your cabinets.
Scandinavian-style kitchens are a great example of natural wood design. It’s known for its simplicity and functionality, with clean lines, neutral colors, and a minimalist look and feel.
Modern Cabinets
Aiming for minimalism, the contemporary kitchen features sleek surfaces with simple lines. Innovative materials and neutral color schemes, frequently incorporating white or gray, contribute to a clean and uncluttered appearance.
Open Shelves
Open shelving offers both style and function. A floating shelf can open up your kitchen and showcase your favorite objects, creating a gorgeous focal point.
It also keeps your items easily accessible, streamlining kitchen workflow and saving you time. Mixing open shelves with traditional cabinetry can also add a touch of variety and balance.
LED Under-lighting
LED under-lighting is both practical and visually appealing. It provides an additional light source in the kitchen, allows easy access to items, and elegantly showcases favorite kitchenware.
The right lighting can transform any space, no matter how small or simple, and add a personalized touch to your kitchen design.
Importance of Kitchen Cabinet Materials
Ideally, your kitchen cabinets should be durable, functional, and low-maintenance. Consider your lifestyle and how the kitchen will be utilized. Different cabinet materials available include:
- Hardwood
- Medium-density fibreboard
- Laminate
- Plywood
Kitchen cabinets come in many finishes, including stained wood, distressing, thermofoil, hand-painted features, and lacquer or high-gloss finishes. Seeking advice from an experienced kitchen designer can help refine your options with a thorough design consultation.
Why Hire a Kitchen Designer?
Kitchen renovations are an investment, but acquiring the guidance of a professional kitchen designer can ensure your home reflects your personalized vision. And why not begin with a brand that has established itself as the epitome of expert craftsmanship for almost three decades?
The best designers in the business will elevate your home remodeling experience to help you achieve your desired lifestyle. With individualized and in-depth service as the cornerstone of their brand, you can trust that your kitchen and home are in creative and capable hands.
Your Dream Kitchen
Kitchen cabinets play a crucial role in the overall design of a kitchen. With the endless options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. But no worries-we’ve got you covered.
Your vision is our compass, and we’re dedicated to helping you navigate the finest types of kitchen cabinets so we can turn your dream kitchen into a reality. Book your consultation and connect with Noblessa today!