Kitchen cabinets are the typical built-in furniture found in all kitchens for storage of cooking supplies, food, and sometimes dishes and silverware for daily table service. Most appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers are usually incorporated into standard kitchen cabinets. However, custom cabinetry can also be purchased for specialty uses. For instance, builders and architects can design special cabinet lines for home offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. Here are some tips on how to choose the right kitchen cabinets for your needs.
The first step in designing your kitchen cabinets is to think about the color and finish of the product. Different finishes come in a variety of styles and materials. While natural wood finishes are more popular in homes, they may not be practical in a workspace where heavy items are regularly used. High-pressure paint has a smooth, shiny finish that can withstand heavy use. However, high-pressure paints are costly and may require frequent maintenance to maintain gloss and durability.
Another option is solid wood kitchen cabinets. The best ones have solid wood frames with doors that can be left “open,” allowing for air flow. Some wood cabinets have a lip surrounding the doors, designed to keep dust and moisture out. Other solid wood cabinets have flat panels that slide to one side or the other. These types usually feature hinges and door panels that lock into place to protect them from accidental opening.
Other kitchen cabinets may be framed using a veneer of glass or plexiglass. Framed cabinets may have a front panel that is frameless, which allows for a more modern look. In general, frameless cabinets have a lower gloss than framed cabinets, giving them a more sterile and clean appearance. They may not have doors, but most have a solid wood face-frame and solid wood doors.
Most kitchen cabinets are sold with at least a full overlay of plywood or wood veneers. Plywood is used because it is pliable and can be shaped to fit many different shapes and sizes of kitchen cabinetry. Wood veneers are painted and finished to match the rest of the kitchen. The only drawback to using plywood is that it can be damaged by sharp utensils and knives. If a kitchen were to use granite in place of plywood, a professional would need to install the granite in the kitchen, which could be a labor-intensive and expensive process. Granite is also very porous and should be sealed regularly to prevent staining.
For those who prefer to do their own kitchen cabinets, there are two simple options. One option is to buy ready-made cabinets and build the cabinets yourself, using standard hardware. The other option is to buy custom-face-frame cabinets. Custom face-frame cabinets are specifically made for each customer’s cabinet sizes. A custom face-frame is made by taking an accurate measurement of the customer’s cabinets and then selecting the cabinet panels based on those measurements.
Once the cabinet frames are created, the walls are lined up according to the cabinet dimensions. There are four basic kinds of kitchen cabinets, each offering a different amount of space and efficient use of kitchen space. When choosing between these four styles, consider how much countertop room the cabinets will take up and how much storage space they will provide. There are many varieties of kitchen cabinets in each style, from the standard to the custom built-ins. Custom face-frame cabinets allow customers to choose the exact dimensions they want, including the width, height, and depth of their cabinet doors.
Kitchen base cabinets may seem to be the smallest part of the kitchen. However, their function is far more important than the size. Base cabinets may be small, but they pack a punch because they house all the necessary items, such as the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. When choosing kitchen cabinets, keep in mind that their size does not equate to their importance.