Best Tips for Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

No single design element takes up more space in your kitchen than the cabinetry. In addition to defining the style of the room, cabinets also serve a vital functional purpose. Make sure you’re delighted with your kitchen renovation by choosing the cabinets wisely.
Kitchen Cabinet Materials
It’s vital to select a high-quality cabinet material to ensure durability and longevity. Solid wood is the most iconic choice, with several species to choose from. Are you interested in a rich, dark finish? If so, cherry or mahogany might be the right choice. For a lighter finish, try maple or white oak. More exotic species include bamboo, sapele, and anaglade. Less conventional cabinet materials are also available, including stainless steel, laminate, melamine, and glass. These alternative options tend to work best in modern kitchen designs.
Kitchen Cabinet Door Designs
There are virtually endless door designs available. Ornate ornamentation is best suited for traditional kitchens, while shaker or beaded cabinet doors could be ideal for transitional designs. Then, flat doors with no detailing whatsoever lend a simple look to minimalist kitchens. Consider using glass panels on some doors to display your best dishware.
In addition to panel design, also consider how you want your cabinet doors to function. Beyond standard swinging doors, you can choose pocket doors, flip-up doors, and corner drawers to make your cabinets more functional.
Kitchen Cabinet Colors
If you choose wood cabinets, you have the option of staining them in whatever way you like. You can also paint wood cabinetry in any color of the rainbow. Painted cabinets create a classic look that never goes out of style, but bolder choices may also appeal to you. For instance, lacquered cabinets have an impressive sheen, while glazed wood allows some of the grain to show through.
Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Door hinges, knobs, and pulls change the aesthetics of your kitchen and can make drawers and cabinets easier to open. Make a selection based on your personal preference, keeping in mind that minimal hardware and hidden hinges offer a contemporary, streamlined look. Then, consider soft-close doors and drawers to prevent them from slamming shut.
Kitchen Cabinet Storage Features
Cabinet fronts offer a certain aesthetic, but the inside is what makes your kitchen more functional. Extra organizational features increase the initial investment, but they can make your life easier for years to come. Consider these options:
- Pull-out trash cans
- Lazy Susans
- Roll-out shelves
- Built-in spice racks or pot and pan organizers
- Docking stations for electronics
- Spring-loaded shelves that swing up and out
When you work with Capitol Design Build on your kitchen renovation, you gain access to some of today’s top cabinet manufacturers. We’re proud to partner with Bernier, Crestwood, Touchstone, Virtu USA, Forevermark, and Fubuwood. Our focus is on delivering beautiful, functional cabinetry in whatever design style you prefer. Call Capital Design Build at 703-436-6919 or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation kitchen design estimate today.