Choosing the correct cabinets can be one of the most stressful yet important parts of any re-design or build. Creating a kitchen with the proper aesthetic and functionality can be daunting while remaining on budget. However, your cabinetry is the heart of your kitchen, and getting that foundation right is imperative. That is why our designers take the time with you to help you achieve that aesthetic and functionality that will last a lifetime.
Cabinet Types
In order to determine what cabinet grades you wish to use in your home, you will first need to determine your layout. Will you be using base cabinets, wall-mounted cabinets, specialty cabinets, or tall cabinets? Once we design the cabinet layout we can begin to look at different cabinet grades based on construction quality. The most common grades are as follows:
Ready-to-assemble (RTA): cabinets are found a big box retailers like Ikea. These cabinets can save you money, however, you sacrifice durability and at times quality. RTA cabinets may sound like a viable option for some homeowners, although, unlike putting together a desk, these cabinets likely require a professional for proper installation.
Stock: cabinets are purchased directly from the manufacturer. This may restrict your choices, as generally speaking they are sold in specific sizes that cannot readily be changed. You can, however find stock cabinets in a wide range of materials. Stock cabinets are often and affordable option, and of higher quality than RTA cabinets.
Semi-custom: cabinets are the within the mean price point in relation to cabinets overall. Often, stock cabinets are made with custom size doors or are made-to-order from the manufacturer. You are typically allowed to modify the cabinet dimensions and sometimes colors. These cabinets are pricier than RTA or stock, however, they give you more flexibility.
Custom: cabinets provide you with unlimited options. Custom cabinets are made precisely to your specifications. You have the ability to select everything including the style, construction, finish, materials, and hardware. These cabinets are generally the most expensive of the options listed.
Cabinet Construction
Framed cabinets are constructed with rails and stiles forming a 1.5-inch face frame at the front of the cabinet box. This is attached to the door front, giving increased strength and dimension to the completed cabinet. Framed cabinets afford you more flexibility with door styles. For example, it allows for full overlay, standard, and inset cabinet doors.
Cabinets can be constructed in one of two ways. Frameless construction originated in Europe and offers a contemporary appearance. This type of construction results in easier interior access, as it excluded the face frame. It thus relies on a more dense box construction to maintain stability. This type of construction is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. It is important to note that with this construction, only full overlay doors may be used. Hinges are attached directly to the side of the cabinet box.
More About Overlay
Overlay refers to the degree to which the door overlays the face frame. One of the advantages of standard overlay doors is that they are less expensive and do not require hardware. Due to the more exposed face frame, there is sufficient space to open drawers without a knob or pull.
Full overlay cabinets have a very contemporary, custom appearance as the doors cover the face frame in its entirety. Another advantage with full overlay cabinets is their functionality with double doors. They do not have a vertical face frame stile between the doors. Therefore, you have plenty of room to fit larger items such as pans and baking sheets.
Inset cabinets are designed so that the door is inside the face frame. It is therefore flush with the front of the cabinet rather than opening on top of the cabinet box. Hinges are hidden and used to fit the door inside the frame opening. Inset cabinets will give your kitchen and elegant look. They are more pricey, as their construction is more time-intensive. Also, they are best used in larger kitchens, as the construction takes away interior cabinet space.
Styles
There are many different styles of cabinets out there. Once you choose a particular construction and door type, your options will inevitably change.
- Arched Cathedral: The door panel is shaped to look like an arched window. The shape can be recessed or raised withing the door frame. This style is typically reserved for upper wall cabinets.
- Beaded: The interior panel features stripes created by a single or double groove, known as beads in woodworking. Beaded panels are compatible with other styles.
- Flat Panel: The door has a single, flat panel surrounded by molding. It’s the most common style for transitional kitchens.
- Glass Inset: The doors are windows into the cabinet.
- Mission: Mission cabinets are flat panel doors. They have a square frame molding with simple, clean lines. They are typically made of oak and stained so the wood grain is highlighted.
- Raised Panel: Cabinets with raised panel doors are more traditional in style than other styles. The center panel is slightly raised by a contoured groove around the molding.
- Shaker: These look similar to mission cabinets, but they have a narrower frame molding. They focus on function and durability.
- Slab: The most minimalist of options. Slab cabinets feature no panels, molding, or ornamentation.
Doors and Drawers
The difference between doors and drawers really depends on your goals for your kitchen. If you wish to maximize the amount of storage in your kitchen, you should design as many base cabinet drawers as possible for dishes, food tools, etc. Using drawers gives you more space generally, especially when using deep, wide drawers. If you like the look of doors, you can even have a pullout shelving system within cabinet doors.
Open Shelving
Exposed shelving is a viable option if you are looking for a storage system that is accessible and convenient. This will work well with a causal style and is ideal for small spaces. It will typically open up the room, making it look larger.