Kitchen Cabinet Types and Finishes
A kitchen cabinet is a crucial component to your kitchen. It’s not just about style — it’s also the foundation for your countertops and a place to store your most frequently used items.
There are many types of cabinets to choose from, so it’s important to know the different options available.
Types
There are a variety of different types of kitchen cabinets available for purchase. These include ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock cabinet styles, and custom cabinets that are made to order. The construction and materials of these cabinets can range from traditional to contemporary and feature a variety of finishes.
Wood is one of the most popular materials for kitchen cabinets because it offers a variety of looks and styles that can match any style. It is also extremely strong and durable, making it a great choice for your new cabinets.
Laminate is another surface material that can be used for a variety of cabinet styles. It is a composite that uses a resin mixed with a paper, which is then pressed together with heat. The laminate can be made from a variety of different colors and designs, and it is resistant to moisture, stains, and scratches.
High-gloss thermofoil is a glossy surface that is often used in kitchen cabinets to create a modern look. This non-porous material is ideal for full overlay designs and makes your cabinets easy to wipe clean. However, it is not suitable for elaborate door styles and cannot be painted or stained.
Raised Paneled Cabinet Doors are a classic look for your kitchen. This type of door features a center raised panel that is typically paired with a decorative edge. This design is best suited for traditional and older homes, but it can also be found in more modern kitchens.
Flat Panel Cabinet Doors are another common type of cabinet door that provides a minimalist design for your kitchen. This style is ideal for contemporary, modern, and European-style kitchens.
Inset Cabinet Doors are a very elegant and sophisticated look that can be paired with a wood finish or be painted to match your decor. This type of cabinet can be a little more difficult to maintain in humid areas, but it’s a gorgeous look.
Adjustable Shelves can be a convenient storage solution for your kitchen. They can be easily moved up or down to accommodate taller glassware and larger serveware items that need more vertical space. They are often paired with pull-out pantries for additional storage space.
Materials
Choosing the best kitchen cabinet material is an important decision. It can affect your home’s overall look, and it can also help you save money over time.
Wood is by far the most common cabinet material, but there are other options that you may want to consider. Solid wood is the most expensive option, but it’s also the most durable. It’s also available in a variety of grains, colors and textures, which can make it easy to match your style.
Plywood is another popular option for kitchen cabinets. It’s a type of engineered wood that contains thin layers of wood glued together to create a strong, sturdy material. It’s also more resistant to moisture than MDF.
It’s typically covered with a laminate or a wood veneer to give it a more appealing appearance. It’s not as hard as solid wood, though.
Laminates are a more affordable and eco-friendly option for kitchen cabinetry. They’re made by applying a resin-based coating to a substrate, usually plywood or MDF. They’re durable and easy to clean, but they can discolour if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.
They’re also not scratch-resistant, so they require regular polishing to keep them looking nice. They’re not a good choice for high-traffic areas, as they’ll easily get chipped or scratched.
Plastic is another common option, but it’s not as durable as other materials. It’s often used for storage and shelving, but it can crack and chip if subjected to extreme heat or cold temperatures.
Steel and aluminium are also becoming more kitchen cabinet popular for kitchen cabinets, especially in modern designs. These materials are less expensive than wood, and they’re resistant to rust.
Aside from being a more durable option, metal cabinets have a more contemporary look. They’re available in a variety of colours, but they might need repolishing when the top coat oxidises or rusts over time.
Melamine is a high-quality coating that’s resistant to water and fire, staining, and can be cleaned with strong household solutions. It’s a great choice for internal cabinet coatings and can be painted to match the rest of your kitchen design.
Finishes
There are a number of finishes available for kitchen cabinets. These include wood, metal, and plastic. Each finish has a specific look and durability that can enhance or detract from your overall kitchen design. Understanding the different options is important to making the right choice for your needs.
Choosing the best finish for your kitchen cabinets can make all the difference when it comes to deciding on color and style. Ensure that you consider the type of cabinetry, how often you use it, and your budget when determining which finishes are the best for your kitchen.
Paint: A painted finish is one of the most popular choices for kitchen cabinets. It offers a wide variety of colors to choose from, and it is also easier to change than stain. However, it is not as durable as a stained finish.
Oil: When applied correctly, oil paint can be extremely durable. It can hold up to scratches and stains for years. It is not as easy to clean up as other types of paints, but it is the most environmentally safe option.
Lacquer: A lacquer finish is another popular choice for kitchen cabinets. This is a high-quality, durable coating that will protect your kitchen cabinets for years to come. It can be used with or without a protective layer and is available in many colors to suit your taste and budget.
Stain: Cabinets can be stained to create a unique, customized look. They can be stained to resemble natural wood, to change the grain of the wood, or to protect the wood from damage.
A stained finish can be a great way to add color and character to your kitchen. It can also be a great way to achieve a rustic or vintage look.
Glaze: A glazed finish is a decorative technique that highlights the profile edges of your kitchen cabinets. It is often used to accent the details of your cabinets, especially those that have intricate hand-carved designs.
Laminate and melamine are two other popular kitchen cabinet finishes that offer a variety of colors, textures, and visual detail options. They are less expensive than polyurethane and can be used for kitchens with children or pets.
Design
Cabinets are a central part of every kitchen, so it’s important to consider their design carefully. The type of materials used in your cabinets and their finish can affect the overall look and feel of the space.
Wood: There are a number of different types of wood used in kitchen cabinets, including solid and engineered wood. Choosing the kitchen cabinet right type of wood for your kitchen will depend on the style of kitchen you want and the budget you have to spend.
The natural color of the wood will also play a role in how the cabinets look. You can choose to have the entire cabinet stained or painted to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.
Another option is to get a veneer face. Veneers can be a great way to add a custom look to your kitchen without breaking the bank. They can also be made to match the existing colors of your furniture, making them easier to coordinate with other elements in your kitchen.
You can also design your cabinets to fit a specific shape or size. You can even create a face frame that encloses an appliance. This kind of design can be very complicated and requires a lot of woodworking skill, so it’s best to hire a professional for this job.
In addition, if you have children, it’s important to choose cabinet materials that will be safe for them to play on. For example, laminate and poly are both very durable materials that will last a long time.
Alternatively, you can combine these two materials with wood to create a more rustic look. This is a popular trend for modern kitchens and can be done in any color or style.
The most popular finish for kitchen cabinets is paint. It’s easy to clean and has a wide variety of colors available. It’s also a good option for those with small children because it’s durable and scratch-resistant.
Before painting or staining your kitchen cabinets, make sure to test the product on scrap pieces of wood first. This will help to ensure that you are happy with the finished results.