Choosing Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops
Cabinets and countertops with unique designs are good options to add some zest in your kitchen. When designing your kitchen, keep these elements in mind – cabinet construction, door designs, and countertop materials.
Your living room has soft cushions and sofas to make it
cozy. Your bedroom has a big soft bed, and your bathroom may have pretty tiles
or a stylish bathtub. In the kitchen, it’s the cabinets and countertops that give
it character and make it more than place to prepare meals. That’s why it’s
important to choose the right ones to go with your kitchen décor. Here’s a
quick guide to choosing cabinets and countertops for your kitchen.
Cabinet construction
There are three construction types for kitchen cabinets:
stock, custom-made, and semi-custom made. Stock cabinets are the
ready-made ones that you buy right at the store. They are the cheapest option
and they come in the most popular colors and finishes. They’re great if you’re on
a budget, but fitting may be a problem. You may need filler strips to cover up the
space when it’s too small.
Semi-custom cabinets are
made to order, but you can only mix and match a number of styles, colors and
finishes. Size may not be customizable, so it’s only a slight improvement over stock
ones. If you have highly specialized needs, you may want to look into custom-made
cabinets. These are made according to your precise specifications, from the
size down to the smallest details. Of course, the catch is that they’re more
expensive—up to several times the price of a stock cabinet of the same size.
Door designs
Door design is the most common identifier between cabinet
styles. The slab door is a simple flat panel covering the entire front
of the cabinet, creating a smooth, sleek look characteristic of minimalist
styles. A raised panel has a smaller frame glued over the door to create
an accent, sometimes with decorative edges. It fits best in large kitchens that
lead into formal dining rooms. If you’re going for a country look, the recessed
panel may be the style for you. In this style, the panel is placed behind
the frame, sometimes split into two smaller frames. You can also add a curve or
arch to the top for a bit of variety.
Countertop materials
Countertops come in a wide range of materials, all with
their own range of colors and finishes. Here are some of the most common:
- Laminate: Laminates
are made from sheets of compressed paper and resin glued to a fiberboard and
covered with a synthetic laminate. They are one of the weakest countertop
materials, but they do their job for people on a budget.
- Wood:Wood
countertops went back into fashion when a more durable finish, known as watershed
protectors, was invented. The main advantage of wood is its warm tone, which
contrasts an otherwise dull or cold kitchen. rock maple is often used because
it can double as a chopping surface.
- Stone:If you
want something that will outlast even your home itself, stone countertops are
your best option. You can choose from rough, natural stone to colorful granite
and soapstone countertops. Stone goes well with glass and wood for contrast.
- Ceramic tile:Tile
countertops are one of the most popular, and for good reason. They come in
virtually all colors, sizes, and finishes, and most types are unaffected by
heat. They can scratch and stain, however, so always have some tile cleaner
handy for mopping up spills.
- Solid surface:Solid
surface countertops offer the sturdiness of stone and the lightness and color
of laminates. But their biggest advantage is that they actually cushion falls,
so you can drop a plate onto the counter and it won’t crack.