Are you struggling to decide what kind of kitchen cabinet basics you need for your upcoming renovation? From countertops to drawers, we’ll help you pick the perfect pieces to create your dream kitchen. You don’t want to miss out on these must-have new cabinet basics!
House Style
Choosing the perfect kitchen cabinet design can be a daunting task, but starting with your home’s style is a great place to begin. Every house style has its own unique features that work well with particular cabinet designs. If you’re unsure about which style to choose, you can seek the advice of a professional kitchen cabinet manufacturer. Here are five of the most popular cabinet styles that coordinate well with various house styles:
- Traditional-Style Cabinets: These cabinets feature raised panel doors and are often constructed from a variety of woods. You’ll also see decorative features such as crown molding, fluted pilasters, or other period-inspired details.
- Cottage-Style Cabinets: Perfect for traditional country-style homes, cottage-style cabinets have beechwood doors with raised panels and subtle moldings that give them a timeless look. These cabinets often feature distressed finishes for added character.
- Craftsman-Style Cabinets: If you’re looking for something more rustic and outdoor-inspired, check out Craftsman-style cabinets. They usually feature clean lines and simple details such as mission pulls or hammered metal hardware to complement the natural wood construction material.
- Modern/Contemporary Style Cabinets: Ideal for modern homes, these cabinets often come in bright colors with metal accents. They may also contain open shelving or glass inserts in addition to traditional drawers and cabinet doors.
- Industrial Style Cabinets: Industrial style kitchens typically use stainless steel countertops or appliances and focus on urban chic details like metal accents or open shelving systems on their cabinetry components.
Cabinet Finishes
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, there are a number of options for finishes. Opt for a different type of finish for each room in your home or go with the same finish throughout all of the rooms to give your home a cohesive look and feel. Cabinet finishes span the range of solid, painted, and stained varieties, so no matter your style preference you’re sure to find something that you’ll love.
- Solid Color Finishes: Solid color finishes offer strong coverage that can be beautiful when combined with color-coordinated countertops and backsplash tiles. Solid color cabinet finishes also set a great backdrop for bright-colored accents like bold dishes and vibrant wall paints.
- Painted Finishes: Painted cabinet finishes lend an understated look that is perfect for creating an airy kitchen atmosphere, or adding some subtle flair to an all-white kitchen space. Try out two-toned cabinets with different shades of paint – but make sure to choose complementary colors.
- Glazed Finishes: Glazed cabinet finishes is an ideal way to add a touch of glamour and sophistication to any room in your home. The glaze gives off a bright hue and creates an overall luxurious look when combined with other design elements such as tile flooring or granite countertops.
- Stained Finishes: Stained cabinet finishes give off natural warmth due to their darker hues which work great in kitchens featuring light-colored walls or stone floors. Stain lets the natural grain show through while still offering protection against wear and tear.
- Distressed Finishes: Distressed cabinet finish is aptly named as it adds character found in older homes yet still fits perfectly into any modern décor style. This traditional finish offers rustic charm by combining flecks of distressed paint tones within its framework.
Stains and Wood
Finishing your cabinets to the exact look and feel you want can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to create something special. While there are a variety of base materials available, from vinyl to melamine, wood is the material most often used. The natural grain will show through when stained and lacquered, giving that unique touch to your kitchen cabinets.
Whether you are choosing factory-made cabinets or opting for custom cabinetry made by a local carpenter, there are a few basics you should consider when picking out wood.
- Type of Wood: Your choice of wood often depends on what look and feel you’re going for as well as how much money you want to spend on the project. Some popular cabinet-grade woods include Oak, Maple, Cherry, Hickory, Alder, and Birch – each has their own distinct features and characteristics.
- Stain: Once you have chosen which type of wood is best for your project, it’s time to choose a stain for your cabinets. There are several products available in different shades such as cherry brown and mahogany red. You can go with an oil-based or water-based stain depending on the results you wish to achieve. If something richer is desired seek out a conversion varnish – this dries harder providing greater protection from wear over time. For larger projects try using natural tinted stains – they create deep colors while still allowing the integrity of the grain pattern to shine through – yielding an amazing finish!
- Clearcoat: Lastly; don’t forget about protecting those new cabinets with an appropriate clear coat such as lacquer or polyurethane. Be sure that all surfaces receive two coats allowing ample drying time between coats in order to avoid any potential color blending issues later down the road – it also increases resistance against water and dirt; helping keep that luster we all desire!
Cabinet Finish Treatment
One of the main components to consider when selecting kitchen cabinets is the finish treatment. A beautiful kitchen starts with great-looking cabinet doors and drawers. The way a cabinet is finished will have a major impact on the overall look, functionality, and maintenance needed to keep it looking good for years to come.
The type of finish treatment you select for your kitchen space should be based on your preference in color, texture, durability, and maintenance levels. You should also consider how much time you are willing to spend cleaning and maintaining your cabinets, including whether you plan on doing any staining or refinishing in the future.
Popular options for cabinet finishes include:
- Paint: Painted cabinets give a bright and bold look with smooth lines; painting is also beneficial if you’re looking to freshen up an older kitchen space without replacing all of the cabinets.
- Stained: Whether it’s light or dark stain, stained finishes tend to bring out the grain pattern of wood while still keeping some light shine in the area; they are better suited for high traffic areas because they require less upkeep than paint.
- Glazed: Glazing can give painted surfaces an antiqued look that helps take away from more modern styles; this option gives a unique patina effect that will bring sophistication into your space.
- Distressed: Distressing can add character and charm by making wood pieces appear older than they actually are; distressed finishes work well with natural materials such as wood or stone countertops because it allows them to be highlighted among other elements in your kitchen design scheme.
Cabinet Overlay
Cabinet overlay refers to how the doors and drawers fit onto the frame. When shopping for cabinets, you’ll want to pay attention to the degree of overlay and customize your choices for the desired aesthetic in your kitchen. There are three common types of cabinet overlays – full, half, and inset.
Full Overlay
A full overlay is by far the most popular choice for both modern and traditional kitchens. With this type of overlay, the doors and drawers are flush with each other, covering nearly all of the face frame. This allows more storage space while creating a sleek contemporary look all around.
Half Overlay
These cabinet doors cover half of the face frame, which will show portions or edges of the frame along with some areas between each door or drawer front when you look at it down your kitchen cabinets’ length. You get a more traditional style with less horizontal space since these cover only half its face kitchen width-wise compared to full overlays.
Inset Overlay
This ‘shaker’ style type rarely uses visible hardware as it has hinges that are mounted directly into recessed openings on each door or drawer front. It’s a very classic design that relies mostly on craftsmanship for precision—a great choice if you’re completely remodeling your kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of kitchen cabinet materials?
The main types of kitchen cabinet materials are wood, laminate, metal, and thermofoil.
What is the best way to measure new kitchen cabinets?
The best way to measure for new kitchen cabinets is to measure the wall from one corner to the other, and then measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling.
What are the advantages of installing new kitchen cabinets?
The advantages of installing new kitchen cabinets include improved storage capacity, improved visual appeal, and increased home value.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering kitchen cabinets, it is important to consider style, materials, and layout. From basic cabinetry to custom cabinetry, there are many options to choose from. It is important to research the various types and evaluate what meets your specific needs for function, cost, and space.
If done correctly and with sound planning, a new kitchen cabinet can not only improve the look of your kitchen but also increase the value of your home. Taking the time to review the basics covered in this article will help you make an informed decision that will be beneficial for many years to come.
