Kitchen Cabinetry Styles and design ideas
Kitchen cabinetry is definitely the primary design element in any kitchen remodel. If you have not tackled a kitchen renovation or redesign before, be sure to account for plenty of time and money to be spent on choosing the right kind of kitchen cabinetry for your new space!! Cabinetry design is generally a focal point in most kitchens, completing the style blueprint of the kitchen design, yet its appearance is only a disguise for cabinetry's true identity: FUNCTIONALITY.
A fabulous kitchen is defined by exceptionally crafted kitchen cabinetry, our article haseverything you need to know about kitchen cabinetry helping you make informed and proper choices for your space.
Stock-Kitchen Cabinets
Stock-kitchen cabinets are designed to keep costs down by making only certain shapes and sizes in limited styles and colors. This can be a great option if you have a standard sized kitchen with reasonable requirements. The only down side to stock cabinetry is versatility. Your space has to accommodate the manufacturers specifications.
Ikea Kitchen Cabinets
Save a lot of money by purchasing kitchen cabinetry through Ikea. Ikea has finally tapped into the enormous and expensive kitchen remodeling market. They provide a wide variety of cabinetry styles to choose from but again this is Ikea. It can be tricky to buy and difficult to install and may not last as long as you may want it too.
It would be wise to do your research here. We were able to find an e-book which focuses on Ikea Kitchen remodeling from purchasing product to installation. It could help you avoid a great deal of trouble!
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Semi-custom kitchen cabinetry can better address your kitchens needs as they are built to order. There is a wider variety of styles, colors, and finishes available and the manufacturer will generally also allow for some size adjustments as well. These cabinets are made with better materials and require more production time. Be sure to make all the measurements exact as errors will prolong your completion date and increase your overall cost!!
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
If your budget allows it, custom kitchen cabinetry is the way to go. Kitchen cabinetry design today is so advanced, that creating the ultimate in kitchen functionality is easy. The sky is the limit with custom kitchen cabinetry, with all materials, sizes, colors, textures, glazes, stains, and cool storage options at your fingertips. Of course with perfection, so does price, and generally this cabinetry craft can account for more than 50% of your entire budget!
There are two stereotypical characteristics of cabinetry style; Traditional or Contemporary, both of which can be achieved in the frame
Framed Kitchen Cabinets
This form of kitchen cabinetry is the most popular today and is associated with a more traditional style. In this case the doors and drawers do not cover the entire space of the cabinetry leaving a portion of the frame visible. When choosing framed kitchen cabinets you may run into a little jargon such as:
- Reveal - How much framed space is visible around the cabinet door or drawer.
- Traditional overlay - The frame space is partially covered by the cabinet door or drawer.
- Full overlay - Where most of the frame is covered by the cabinet door or drawer.
Frameless kitchen Cabinets
This form of kitchen cabinetry is associated with a more contemporary appearance where no frame is visible. Doors are therefore attached to the insides of the cabinets giving you a nice clean look.
kitchen Cabinetry Surfaces
Melamine Cabinetry
This is a durable surface material which is applied to cover Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). MDF is a wonderful wood product produced from wood factory byproducts. Melamine is easy to clean and is available in several colors. This surface is very affordable and is biodegradable and does not emit harmful toxins when incinerated.
Although durable, melamine is susceptible to damage.
Laminate Cabinetry
This versatile product is an excellent option for kitchen cabinetry surfacing as it is extremely durable and can realistically replicate many surfaces. Laminate is available in more colors, textures and styles than melamine and is more durable. Laminate is primarily made from paper and wood byproducts making this another environmentally conscious product.
This surface is about 30% or more expensive than melamine.
Thermofoil kitchen Cabinets
A relative newbie to the kitchen cabinet world is thermofoil, a product that combines heat, pressure, and vacuum to work with a silicone membrane which laminates a vinyl substance over MDF. Typically this surface is very durable and is impervious to staining and non-abrasive cleaners. Thermofoil is available in several colors and its vinyl qualities allows thermofoil to replicate wood grain, metals and textured surfacing as well. Thermofoil has a core made from wood byproducts aiding in factory waist management, however vinyl is a well known environmental offender, although the vinyl industry is working hard to disprove this fact.
Veneer kitchen Cabinets
A veneer cabinet surface is made with a thin piece of solid wood glued on to the cabinet surface of particleboard. Veneer is less susceptible to changes in humidity than hardwood and is therefore more stable. Veneer can be formed into flat and recessed paneled doors.
Hardwood kitchen Cabinetry
Nothing matches the great beauty of hardwood except maybe its expense! In all spaces where hardwood is used the value of your home will always increase so rather than it being an expense, consider hardwood as an investment.
The versatility of wood is unparalleled where any color, style, and texture can be achieved. Hardwood cabinetry can last a lifetime and can be repaired easily as well, and the best part is if you dont like it.change it! There is always another paint or stain to try so the sky is the limit!
In todays environmentally conscious world, hardwood is considered a renewable resource as this industry strives to protect and restore the forests from which it takes. Wood byproducts are all recycled into other products and used in flooring, cabinets, decks and furniture. Hardwood can also be recycled as well.
Conduct a needs assessment for your space as to know the kind of durability or versatility you will require for your cabinets. This will help determine the species of hardwood you will require as each species has unique qualities. Check out www.hardwood.org, a site dedicated to providing solid information on hardwood materials in kitchen spaces.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinets
Stainless steel has been a trend among appliances for sometime now, but today one of the biggest trends occurring in kitchens is restaurant style designs where stainless steel is definitely the star of the show. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and is well known for its durability, flexibility, sanitary qualities, and stunning good looks. This product is a perfect fit for any kitchen. Stainless steel is not exclusive to appliances anymore as it is now being applied to backsplashes, countertops, table tops and much more including cabinetry!
Stainless steel kitchen cabinets can be made to your specifications and some manufacturers are able to mix materials by creating insets of glass or wood and other metals. Stainless steel cabinetry has the ability to create strikingly unique kitchen spaces.
Check out www.swiftcanada.com, www.lasertrondirect.com or www.ridalco.com
Glass Cabinetry
Glass insets have been used in kitchens for decades. Ideal for displaying treasured antique pieces and collections or even to show off great stemware. However, these days glass is taking on a slightly larger roll in kitchen cabinetry than before by taking on cabinet door surfacing. Glass kitchen door cabinetry is available in several styles, colors and textures. Many are taking on specific designs incorporating stained glass, etched glass, and even marbled glass.
Glass is yet another fabulous material that can be worked into your kitchen cabinetry design. Easy to clean and relatively durable, glass can certainly work in your kitchen space.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation
We recommend that kitchen cabinets be installed by a professional. If your not comfortable with doing the work yourself and you are located in the U.S.A, you should check out www.unitedhomeimprovement.com
This company specializes in finding the right contractor for the job in your area! Use this service and get peace of mind from knowing that someone is looking out for your well being!
Use this link to receive a Kitchen cabinet installation quote
thesexykitchen opinion
No matter which kitchen cabinet choices you make, remember to stay within your budget, plan your colors accordingly as your cabinets play an integral part of your color palette and remember your kitchen storage requirements as well. Great cabinetry can make all the difference!
More on Kitchen lighting design, styles of kitchen sinks and painting your kitchen cabinets
