A kitchen remodel is at the top of the home improvement wishlist for many homeowners. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home and a beautiful, functional cooking space can vastly improve your day-to-day life.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make during a kitchen renovation is selecting the cabinetry. Cabinets have a huge impact on both the aesthetics and functionality of the space.
With so many options on the market in terms of cabinet styles, finishes, materials, and organizational accessories, it can feel overwhelming trying to narrow down the choices. This guide will walk you through all the key considerations for selecting kitchen cabinets that perfectly suit your needs, lifestyle, and taste. And once you’ve determined what you’re looking for, you can contact a professional kitchen cabinets Milwaukee installer to bring your ideas to life.
Defining Your Cabinet Style
The style you choose for your kitchen cabinets will set the entire tone for the space. Do you want a traditional look with raised panel cabinet doors or a sleeker contemporary design with flat slab fronts? Maybe you prefer a vintage or farmhouse vibe with distressed wood cabinets.
It’s important to take into account the architectural style of your home as well as your personal design preferences. For instance, Shaker-style cabinets are very popular for their clean lines and versatility — they can work in both traditional and modern kitchen settings.
Pay close attention to the cabinet door profiles, hardware, crown molding details, and any decorative accents. These small touches will instantly upgrade basic cabinet boxes into a cohesive, high-end look.
Choosing a Finish
Thanks to modern finishing techniques, kitchen cabinets are available in just about any color of the rainbow, from neutral shades to bold, vibrant hues. Stains are also a popular finish, ranging from light natural wood tones to rich espresso and ebony hues.
Your color and finish choice should complement the overall design concept for the kitchen as well as the other fixed elements like countertops, floors, and backsplash. White and wood-toned cabinets are timeless favorites that work well in many styles of kitchens.
In addition to color, you’ll need to decide on the type of sheen or luster level. Options include:
- Glossy/high sheen: This ultra-shiny finish has a lacquered, almost glasslike appearance and makes colors appear extra vibrant. Glossy finishes are high-maintenance as they easily show fingerprints and smudges.
- Semi-gloss: A crowd-pleasing middle ground, semi-gloss finishes have a soft shine and are easier to maintain than high gloss.
- Satin/eggshell: With just a hint of shine, these low-luster finishes have a warmer, more casual look and feel. Satin finishes tend to be more forgiving of scuffs and smudges.
- Matte/flat: For a simple, no-shine look, matte finishes conceal more flaws and are ultra-low-maintenance. Flat-painted cabinets appear more rustic and casual.
Another factor in finishes is the type of material. Traditional wood cabinets can be stained or painted while thermofoil and laminate cabinets have the color baked right into the surface.
Storage and Organization
As important as style is, you’ll definitely want to maximize the utility and function of your new kitchen cabinets. This is where cabinet organization and storage accessories come into play.
Some go-to interior accessories to consider include:
- Pull-out shelves: Far easier to access than stationary shelves.
- Drawer organizers: Perfectly partition drawers for utensils, flatware, linens, etc.
- Lazy susans: Rotate to easily access corner cabinet areas.
- Spice racks: Built right into the cabinetry.
- Appliance garages: Designated spots for small appliances.
- Vertical tray storage: Organizing baking sheets and cutting boards.
- Trash/recycling pull-outs: Integrated bins for maximum convenience.
Well-designed kitchen cabinets have a smart layout and enough customized storage solutions to conquer even the most stubborn clutter hot spots.
Hardware and finishing touches also help maximize functionality. Ideas include:
- Installing under-cabinet lighting to illuminate work surfaces
- Choosing soft-close door and drawer hinges that prevent slamming
- Upgrading to heavy-duty pull-out shelves rated for heavier kitchenware
- Adding interior cabinet lighting or glass-front cabinets to easily see the contents.
Other Key Considerations
Beyond style and storage, there are a few other important factors to keep in mind when selecting kitchen cabinets:
- Construction quality: Look for all-wood construction with solid hardwood face frames and door fronts for maximum durability. Avoid particleboard or hollow doors/drawers.
- Hardware: Cabinet knobs, pulls, and hinges make a big aesthetic impact. Choose a hardware style and finish that complements the cabinet doors for a cohesive look.
- Lead times: Custom and semi-custom cabinets can take 6-12 weeks or more to manufacture after ordering them. This timeline needs to be factored into your renovation schedule.
No matter what cabinet style, finish, or storage solutions you choose, just make sure they check all your boxes for functionality, visual appeal, and lasting value in your dream kitchen. With so many options to consider, working with an experienced kitchen designer can help guide you toward cabinets that are perfect for your space, needs, and budget.
We hope you found this blog post on Kitchen Cabinetry 101: Selecting The Right Style, Finish, And Storage Solutions useful. Be sure to check out our post on The Best Kitchen Improvement Projects for Summer for more great tips!
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