When designing a kitchen, cabinets are one of the most crucial components to consider. They need to be able to store everything you need, while being easy to use and a good aesthetic match for your home. Below are some of the factors to consider in order to help you choose the right style of cabinets.
Dimensions
Start by deciding how large your cabinets need to be. Measure your kitchen to determine the ideal height, width and depth. With stock cabinets, you’ll have limited shapes and sizes to choose from – hiring cabinet makers to build you custom cabinets will allow you to fine-tune the dimensions. Of course, you will pay more for bespoke cabinets than you would for stock cabinets, so consider your budget.
Material
Kitchen cabinets are typically made from wood, but there are many different types of wood to choose from. These materials fall into one of two categories:
- Engineered woods: This includes plywood, MDF and particleboard. Such materials are made from combining different layers of wood. Some include layers of plastic or resin to make them easier to clean (such as laminate and melamine cabinets).
- Solid wood: Solid wood cabinets can be more durable and have a traditional look. They can be made out of a single timber such as oak, maple, cherry or hickory.
Solid wood cabinets typically cost more than engineered wood cabinets, but may add more value in older properties.
Door style
Next, think about the style of the door. Different styles can give your kitchen a completely different look. Popular door styles include:
- Shaker: These are the most versatile style of cabinet door, featuring a recessed centre panel.
- Slab: These doors are completely flat, providing a clean and contemporary look suited to modern kitchens.
- Raised panel: These cabinet doors are more decorative and have raised centre panels that may be square or arch-shaped. They tend to suit farmhouse and vintage kitchens.
- Glass pane: These cabinet doors have a glass panel in the centre so that you can see inside each cabinet.
Drawer style
Most homeowners will want their kitchen cabinetry to include a few drawers. The front panels of your drawers can be matched to the style of your cabinet doors. Choose between inset drawers that sit flush inside the cabinet frame or overlay drawers that cover the cabinet frame. A lot of modern kitchens now have soft-close or push-to-open drawers, which prevent slamming and noisy pulling.
Hardware
Hardware is the name for the metal, wooden or plastic grips on the outside of your cabinets and drawers. There are a variety of different hardware styles that you can choose from including handles, knobs, drop bails, finger pulls and indents. Larger handles can provide better grip and can be better suited for those with disabilities, but consider the fact that they may protrude more (which could be an issue in smaller kitchens). Traditional ornate options like drop bails and textured knobs tend to suit vintage-style kitchens better, while finger pulls and indents have a more minimal look that is ideal for modern kitchens.
