Kitchen Cabinets – Critical part of the Kitchen

“Home renovation”: For anxiety-producing phrases, it’s right up there with “audit”, “blind date” and “family reunion”. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Cabinet design is a perfect example. It’s also a great place to start the remodeling process. Why? Because it encapsulates all that is thrilling about home renovation: Exciting choices, endless possibilities and the chance to let your creative juices flow in a whole new direction.

Of course, having unlimited options is kind of like getting the day off from work because of a snowstorm, only to spend the next 4 hours shoveling. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Similarly, the variety of shapes, colors and sizes available for cabinet design can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to break down cabinet design into a few manageable steps:

1. Open Doors: Your choice of cabinet door style is critical. Not only will it be the most prominent element of your new space, but it will also help set the tone for the rest of the room. As you embark on this initial stage of cabinet design, you’ll have three main options to consider:

i. Slab Doors: Ideally suited to a modern kitchen, these doors consist of a single sturdy piece of wood. Their simplicity and clean lines fit seamlessly in a cutting edge design scheme.

ii. Square Doors: There’s a reason that these are a popular choice among homeowners. Cabinet design is all about matching the dwelling with the dwellers, and square doors let you do just that. With a rectangular frame that offers the choice of a raised or flat panel and either a simple or detailed design, they can support any theme from contemporary to traditional with equal flair.

iii. Arched Doors: While similar to square doors, this element of cabinet design boasts a built-in decorative arch at the top of the panel and frame. Their classic look and attention to detail are the perfect complement to a traditional décor.

2. Finish Strong: This is where your cup of creative juices can really run over in your own little corner. Cabinet design finishes come in a range of styles and combinations to reflect your unique tastes.

Perhaps you want to highlight the natural wood grain with a stain that can be light, dark or somewhere in between. Or maybe you’d rather paint the wood grain by selecting from a dizzying array of colors and shades.

If you wish, you can then top it off with an attractive glaze that adds warmth and class to your cabinet design.

For something unique and brimming with character, consider a patina finish, where some distressing and additional sanding achieves an antique look for modern cabinets.

3. Open & Shut: The last step is choosing the knobs and pulls for your cabinet doors and drawers. Generally made of wood or metal, they can fall anywhere on the spectrum from simple to intricate depending on your preferences and the look you’re going for. To make things really interesting, try combining different styles until you find the perfect mix. And sure, maybe this step is just the “icing on the cake”, but let’s be honest. If it was socially acceptable to just eat the icing and leave the rest, who wouldn’t?

So if you’re feeling a bit anxious about the myriad of options for cabinet design and you’re not sure where to start, just take it step by step. Even if it’s a bit stressful at times, the outcome is well worth it. And unlike the audit, the blind date or the family reunion, this is one event that’s sure to have a happy ending.

Open the door to a wealth of choices for cabinet design.