One of the most important elements of a good kitchen design is well-designed and aesthetically pleasing cabinets. And with the help of the recent housing boom and many home improvement reality shows, most homeowners are fairly knowledgeable about cabinetry and good design. If you’re not one of these cabinet savvy consumers, this article is for you!
Most homeowners are already interested in placing high-quality cabinets in their kitchen, but now many are looking for the details to make the most of the fair and functional design. For example, cabinets that have removable trash cans, drop-down shelves, and even slide-out towel bars are becoming more and more popular these days. With today’s technology, there is so much customization available to make working in the kitchen more comfortable and convenient than ever.
Some other popular trends include cabinet drawers that house the dishwasher, as well as heating and cooling drawers to match the professional-grade appliances that many people are installing in their homes today. This causes additional appliances like the dishwasher to blend in with the rest of the cabinets, without distracting from the continuity of the wood and color.
Today, there are even many homeowners who choose to cover their refrigerators and range hoods with cabinet liners to have a very uniform appearance as the eye wanders the room.
A new trend is to add some glass front cabinets around the kitchen, albeit placed very strategically to display some neatly organized bowls and plates or some kitchen-related collectibles. The key is to choose something that can stay clean and tidy even with the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
When it comes to the material of most cabinets these days, wood is still very “n”. In 2002, a study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association found that approximately 80 percent of all cabinet purchases are made of wood. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone chooses the exact same style. There are many different styles of wood cabinets, ranging from formal to informal, dark to light wood, and glazed to weathered finishes.
When it comes to wood options, some of the favorites today are maple and cherry. The nearby runners are beech and alder. Those particularly looking to make their kitchen cabinets “green” and earth-friendly often point to lyptus wood, a species of tree that grows quickly to replace itself.
There are also several styles of cabinets that have come into vogue recently. These include American Colonial with raised panel doors and hammered iron hardware. Another is the Victorian kitchen design that features oak with glass front panels and wainscoting. Finally, Asian-influenced cabinets are a great option that incorporates recessed paneling and invisible hardware and works well with modern-style kitchens.
There are many options and styles available for kitchen design. It is simply a matter of putting together the right combinations of colors and details, as well as planning a perfectly functional space.