Options for Interior Kitchen Cabinets

There are thousands of options for kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen cabinets are one of the most important features in any kitchen. Cabinets provide a storage area and counter space to work with. There are thousands of ways to decorate a kitchen with the cabinets; here are almost as many kitchen cabinet options as there are paint colors. The best way to choose a cabinet is to consider your lifestyle and the style of your kitchen. These style guidelines can help you narrow down the cabinet choices and choose the best cabinet for your home.

Materials

Kitchen cabinets come in several different material styles. While wood is the most frequently used material, other materials also are viable options for kitchen cabinetry. Bamboo cabinets are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional woods. Glass cabinets provide a pristine and sparkling look to the kitchen and are also easy to clean and maintain. Metal cabinets are very durable and long-lasting, while laminate-over-particle board is a less-expensive alternative to solid wood cabinets.

Styles

The style of cabinet you choose is very important. The style should flow with the design of your kitchen and nearby rooms. Open cabinets provide a rustic feel to the kitchen, while metal cabinets give the kitchen a commercial feel. Streamlined and handleless cabinets offer a kitchen a contemporary style. Cabinets with visible wood-grain and a lot of intricate moldings and etchings give a kitchen a formal old-world feel, and basic cabinets with little embellishments work well in a traditional-style kitchen.

Hardware

The hardware you choose for the cabinet can also alter the feeling of the kitchen. While some cabinets come with hardware as part of the package, others leave the hardware choice entirely up to you. If you create custom cabinets, you also have the option to choose the hardware. In general, the absence of hardware provides a more modern feel. Brushed metal hardware also looks more modern. Antique-style hardware can give a country or rustic look to a kitchen.

Finishes

The finish that you choose for your cabinets has one of the biggest impacts on the final feel and appearance of the kitchen. Choose bright colors for a low-key feel to the kitchen. Dark colors, such as gray, black and metal finishes give a kitchen a modern feel. Wood finishes look rustic or antique. White and other pale colors add brightness to the kitchen, but show every mess. A mix of styles, such as a glazed paint over visible wood grain provides a mix of styles between modern and country.

References

• Home Style Choices: Kitchen Cabinets
• HGTV: Kitchen Cabinet Styles