The Kitchen Blog

The design of your kitchen cabinets dictates both how much and what kind of storage space you will have as well as how your kitchen will look. There are a huge variety of kitchen cabinet designs to choose from and the things you need to keep in mind when making your selection are:

• Efficient utilization of space, both in the layout of the cabinets as well as in regard to their storage capacity.
• Durability.
• The type of wood, the color and the appearance of the cabinets.
• Does the hardware – the handles and pulls etc. match the rest of your kitchen?

You will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen and the right kind of cabinets can make it a warm attractive place that invites you in.

Before you start remodeling, have a budget in mind.

Kitchen Cabinet Types

There are three basic types of cabinets to choose from.

Stock Cabinets

• These are built in standardized sizes and shapes. Since no changes or modifications are possible, take measurements carefully to ensure that what you buy fits in your kitchen.
• Only a limited number of style and color option are available.
• Since the choices are limited, inspecting and comparing what is available is easy.
• You can save money by buying unfinished cabinets and finishing them yourself.

Semi Custom Cabinets

• This type provides a greater range of designs and finishes.
• Cabinets using the standard designs can made to order in the sizes you want.
• Build quality is normally better than with stock cabinets.
• These are the most popular type of kitchen cabinets, although they are more expensive than the stock ones.

Custom Cabinets

• These are designed and built specifically for your kitchen.
• You have an unlimited choice of designs, colors and finishes.
• The interior can be made specifically for your requirements to store exactly what you want.
• The type and quality of the wood and materials used depends on the buyer’s preferences.
• This is the best option when matching new cabinets to preexisting ones or when unusual spaces make stock or semi custom cabinets unviable.
• These are the most expensive types of kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen Cabinet Construction and Materials

Kitchen cabinets are made in 2 ways:

• What is called face frame construction involved using a front facing frame. This allows for flexibility in the design but the frame reduces interior space.
• Frameless construction requires no frame and so greater interior space is available. This type of kitchen cabinet is more suitable for contemporary looking kitchens.

Wood is the material of choice for kitchen cabinets and various types of wood including pine, hickory, cherry, birch, oak and maple, to name a few, are often used. The type of wood is important not just for appearance but also for durability. Woods like hickory and oak are hard and heavy, while pine is lighter and softer and so more prone to scratches and dents. Most cabinets are made from a combination of woods and also often use plywood and particle board.

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Hardware is a small component of the cabinets but the type and finish of the handles and pulls used will affect the final appearance of the cabinets. The hardware you choose should not only enhance the appeal of the cabinets, but also fit in with the rest of the kitchen décor.

Kitchen Cabinet Design Ideas

Define the style you want. For example:

• Do you want raised panel doors for a traditional look?
• Or would using knotty pine and less detail for a rustic look be better?
• Would slab panel doors for a contemporary look be the best?

Other things to keep in mind while choosing kitchen cabinets are:

• Look through design magazines and visit furniture stores to get ideas. You could even try using kitchen cabinet design software.
• Measure the cabinet areas carefully. A sketch of the whole kitchen showing where all the plumbing, appliances, doors and windows are will give you a good perspective what the final appearance will be.
• Generally, cabinets should match the floor or wall color.
• Lighter colors create a more open impression.
• Glass doors will create a feeling of depth.
• Open shelves can be used to store attractive crockery or cookbooks.
• For difficult to reach cabinets, think of Lazy Susans, roll out drawers, pull down shelves, removable wire baskets etc.

Kitchen cabinet design video

Kitchen islands are a wonderful solution to many kitchen problems. With kitchen island you can create…

• an extra storage area in your kitchen
• a place for work, where you can prepare your favorite food
• a place where you can clean your dishes and utensils
• a place where you can eat with your family

There are two types of kitchen island…

• portable kitchen islands
• custom kitchen islands

Before choosing your type of kitchen island, consider carefully how you will use it. The kitchen island you will use as a storage area will be different from one you will use for washing, cooking and/or eating on.

1. Will you prepare food on it?
2. Will you eat with your family on it?
3. Will you wash the dishes on it or just store them on it?

The answers to these questions, in combination with the size of your kitchen and the sum you can afford, will enable you to decide upon what type of kitchen island is best for you.

Custom kitchen islands review

You can have this type of kitchen island custom-made by specialists. In addition to storage area, you can build appliances into it, such as…

• a sink
• a dishwasher
• a small refrigerator or refrigerated drawers
• cooking tops, oven, microwave
• warming drawers, to keep food hot if necessary…

You can choose your own shape for this type of kitchen island. For example, rectangular, square, oval, round, L-shape or other broken lines.

You can make your island with a multi-leveled countertop; with, for example, a lower level on which to prepare the food and an upper one to eat on. (The height of the place where you eat depends on the kind of seats you want: standard chairs, stools or bar stools.) In addition, it’s good to match the design of your custom island with the design of your kitchen, in order to harmonize everything.

For the countertop of this kitchen island you can use wood, natural stone, stainless steel, etc. What material is suitable for your countertop depends on what you will use it for. For example, for safety, it is a good idea to use stone or steel around places you will cook because they resist the heat of hot pots and pans. You can also use these materials round the sink. A wooden countertop is suitable for preparing food.

You can use this type of kitchen island not only as a storage area, but also for a cleaning center or a place where you can eat or prepare food. However, not every kitchen is suitable for installing a custom kitchen island. You have to consider such factors as…

1. Space: there has to be at least 42 inches (107 cm) of space from the most exterior edge of the island to the objects around it, on all sides. Only then will you be able to walk around the island without difficulty, and open the doors of cabinets and appliances.

If you work with other people in the kitchen, you can avoid problems by increasing the distance to 48 inches (122 cm).

2. Ventilation: this needs to be considered if you intend to use your island for cooking on. A hood, suspended from the ceiling, is one solution. A downdraft, installed behind the cook top, is another. You should consult a specialist regarding the choice of an appropriate ventilation system.

3. Lighting: good lighting is closely related to the functionality of your kitchen island. One solution is a lamp, suspended from the ceiling and directed at the surfaces of the island. Another solution is to fix a number of lamps to the hood (if you intend to have one).

4. Electricity: consider this if you intend to use electrical appliances on your custom island. Place the outlets for these appliances in a location on the island where they will not come into contact with water and splashes from washing and cooking, thus avoiding electric shocks.

5. Water supply and drainage: this must be considered if you intend to use water on your island. The best solution here is to consult a specialist, because using water will require changes to the floor of your kitchen. Click here to submit your project and receive free estimates from highly rated local, licensed contractors within 48 hours with no obligation.

See also:

• Portable Kitchen Islands

Ganka Vasileva is the owner of http://www.helpful-kitchen-tips.com, a website containing useful information about the kitchen; about the equipment of this greatly-used room in our home that occupies a special place in our lives. Buying guides for kitchen cutlery, small appliances, cookware & bakeware, kitchen furniture, storage & organization, plumbing, etc.

IKEA Kitchen Planner is free and easy to use kitchen design software to create 2D and 3D virtual models of your dream kitchen. The software has all the elements you need to fully equip your new kitchen. If you need a bid of an inspiration, you can also use the “ready-made” IKEA kitchens, which can be found on the following page: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/complete_kitchen_guide/planner_tool/

With IKEA Kitchen Planner you can:

• define the shape of your kitchen along with its measurements.
• place different elements such as doors, windows, inner walls, electricity, water, gas.
• furnish your kitchen with cabinets, kitchen islands, appliances, sinks, tables, chairs, etc.
• view the result in a 3D-view format by clicking on a button.
• print your kitchen design so that you can take it along during your next shopping trip to the furniture retailer.
• get an idea of how much your new kitchen will approximately cost.

Of course, you can only use IKEA stuff with this software, but it’s quite easy to plan any kitchen with it that fits to the standard width of cabinets, dining furniture, etc.

Click here to read more about this free kitchen design software. Don’t forget to tell me what do you think about it in your comments.

“The New Smart Approach to Kitchen Design” is a practical and recommended guide to creating aesthetically pleasing and functional kitchen. The book will help you to plan a project, hire a contractor, shop for appliances and materials, and decorate like a professional.

Easy to read text and captions explain in full detail the complete design and decorating process. The book contains expert advice and tips for appliances, fixtures, cabinets, countertops, flooring, etc. “With more than 260 color photographs, this best-selling book offers the finest examples of the kitchen as the heart of the home.”

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Planning the project

• Professional help
• Budget
• Legal contracts…

Chapter 2: Designing a smart layout

• Getting started
• Configuring space
• Creating a layout…

Chapter 3: Functional comfort

• Safety
• Universal design
• Adaptable design…

Chapter 4: Considering the best materials

• Countertops
• Flooring
• Sinks…

Chapter 5: Cabinetry and storage

• Cabinet construction
• Cabinets as decoration
• Planning your storage…

Chapter 6: Choosing the right appliances

• Ranges
• Cooktops and ovens
• Refrigerators and freezers…

Chapter 7: Lighting your kitchen

• Windows
• Types of light
• What to use where…

Chapter 8: Putting Style in Your Kitchen

• Traditional
• Contemporary
• Country…

Chapter 9: Your Project’s Timeline

• What happens when?
• How long does each stage of the process take from beginning to end?
• Refer to this easy timeline, and be prepared for each exciting step along the way

You can find more about this wonderful book on Amazon.com