Best Kitchen Cabinets — How to Choose

Color and style are important considerations when choosing cabinets for your kitchen. There are a number of styles available and picking the one that is right for your space can be challenging. Choosing the best kitchen cabinets style for your kitchen will be easier with these tips.

 

Set Up a Budget First

Yeah, those photos from Pinterest and Houzz are amazing! In particular, after all the lighting upgrades and well-placed bowls of fruit and hand towels, those cabinets are really striking. It’s fine if you’ve got the budget to make it happen. Otherwise, it is time to come down to earth and find out how much a kitchen renovation will cost.

A new or renovated kitchen cost depends on a wide range of factors, but establishing a budget is the best place to begin. When it comes to budgeting cabinets, countertops, and appliances, there are some general guidelines. So, starting with a budget will allow you to determine how much you should expect to spend on the cabinetry.

 

Choose Your Kitchen Style

The cabinet door style is one of the most important decisions you will make when designing your kitchen — as it is one of the most visible design elements. You will be influenced by the design of your kitchen, your existing decor, and the style of your home when choosing cabinetry.

 

Choose Your Door Profile

As mentioned above, doors are the most visible part of your cabinets, so choosing them wisely is important. As for the style and color of the doors, there is no limit to the number of possibilities.

You should not just choose a cabinet style without considering the overall decor of your house first. The same applies to the cabinet doors.

A shaker door is one of the most common types nowadays. This style is available in a variety of colors, finishes, and materials. For an elegant look, you can add shaker white cabinets. They can come with a huge selection of classic and contemporary handles. They are a perfect choice for both traditional as well as modern kitchens.

If you prefer a slick, modern kitchen design, you can choose flat cabinets. They are also available with handleless doors, so you can see the hinges behind.

 

Cabinet Door Style Glossary

A variety of cabinet styles are available, however deciding on a construction and door type will narrow your selection. In contrast to traditional and contemporary kitchen styles, transitional cabinets are considered a blend of both.

A slab door is generally the best choice, but you can also consider flat paneled, shaker, raised paneled, or beaded doors. Other popular styles are glass inset, mission, and arched cathedral.

 

Arched cathedral

This style of door panel is shaped like an arched window and usually reserved for upper wall cabinets. It can be either recessed or raised within the door frame.

 

Beaded

There are three styles of beaded panels, including a single-crested panel, a double-crested panel, and a raised panel. Beaded panels can be combined with other styles.

 

Flat panel

Transitional kitchens favor this style of door. It features a single flat panel surrounded by molding.

 

Mission

Flat panel doors are typically made of oak with a stained finish that highlights the wood grain. They have a square frame molding with simple, clean lines.

 

Raised panel

In terms of style, raised panel cabinets are more traditional. Their center panel is slightly raised by a contoured groove around the molding.

 

Shaker

There is a focus on durability and function with these cabinets. They look similar to mission cabinets, but they have a narrower frame molding.

 

Slab

There are two types of slab cabinets: plain slab cabinets and slab cabinets with moldings or ornamentation. Standard slab cabinets can have hardware pulls, but the ultimate minimalist will opt for a finger ledge or push-to-open mechanism that eliminates hardware altogether.

 

Wood Type

Your kitchen designer can help you determine what kind of wood to use. You can choose from a variety of materials for cabinets, including stainless steel, melamine, metal, wood, and thermofoil. The most popular choice for cabinets continues to be solid wood.

When choosing the best kitchen cabinets for your kitchen remodel, it’s important to research all the options. We recommend consulting a professional in order to make an informed decision and achieve an ideal design while staying on budget.

 

The Finishing Options

The look of your kitchen depends greatly on the finish you choose for your cabinets. If you’d like a natural look, then solid wood is the best option. Solid wood can be finished, stained, or painted. You can add distressing, glazing, or crackle, in order to create a decorative touch. Choose lighter cabinets if you wish to keep your cabinets clean easily. Lighter colors tend to hide dirt better than darker ones.

 

Consider Both Beauty and Function

 When it comes to choosing new cabinets, there are so many options. For example, some people choose to have more drawers under their countertops rather than shelves, or to add pullout shelving. Decorative glass doors, for example, are a great way to add personality to your cabinets. After all, cabinets are meant to be used for storing items, so choose them wisely. Make sure the cabinets are functional. Consider the size, style, and type of cabinet that will work best for the products you want to store. Make sure it suits you and your lifestyle.

 

Achieving desired looks while staying within budget can be tricky when it comes to choosing the best kitchen cabinets. Consulting professionals can help. KitchenSearch.com offers a variety of options for you to take advantage of. We serve Philadelphia and NJ. Browse our vast selection of kitchen cabinets online or call us at 215-253-5800 and get a free consultation with one of our specialists today!