Kitchen cabinetry is one of the most important elements of any kitchen design. The right cabinetry provides both form and function, adding style, storage, and organization to your cooking space. When selecting new kitchen cabinets, there are several essential features to consider to ensure you choose cabinetry that fits your needs and complements your kitchen aesthetic. In this article, we will discuss the 5 most essential features to look for when choosing new kitchen cabinets.
Durability
Durability is a critical factor when selecting kitchen cabinetry. Kitchen cabinets undergo a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis. From cooking splatters to the constant opening and closing of doors and drawers, kitchen cabinets need to stand up to years of regular use.
When evaluating durability, look for cabinets constructed from high-quality woods like maple, oak, cherry or hickory. Solid wood doors and drawers are superior to those made of veneers or particleboard. Wood types like poplar and alder are more prone to dents and scratches.
Also examine cabinet hardware like hinges, glides and handles. Look for soft-closing hardware. Avoid inexpensive plastic hardware that can break easily. Full extension drawer glides allow you to fully access the contents of drawers.
Finally, check that cabinets have strong joinery construction. Dovetail joints, mortise and tenon joinery, tongue and groove, and rabbet joinery all provide enhanced durability and prevent cabinets from falling apart over time. Portuguese or finger joints are weaker options. Strong joinery ensures cabinets will last for many years.
Adequate Storage
The primary function of kitchen cabinets is storage, so choosing cabinetry that provides ample space for everything you need to store is essential. Take stock of what you need to store in your kitchen. This includes dishes, glassware, pots, pans, baking essentials, small appliances, pantry items and more.
Consider the size and number of cabinet doors, drawers, pull-outs, and organizers you will need to accommodate everything. For example, pasta pots and cookie sheets may require deep drawers while spices and oils are better suited for shallow drawers.
Also look at interior storage elements like shelves, drawers, and pull-outs that maximize vertical storage space. Lazy susans, tilt-out trays, cabinet door racks, and pull-out shelves all provide smart storage solutions. A well-designed combination of base cabinets, wall cabinets, drawers, shelves and interior storage systems can store all your kitchen items while keeping them organized and accessible.
Adjustable Shelving
While pre-installed shelves provide some storage space in kitchen cabinets, adjustable shelving takes customization to the next level. Adjustable shelves allow you to configure cabinet storage exactly to your needs and preferences.
With adjustable shelves, you can accommodate items of various heights in each cabinet section. For example, you may want to store large platters and serving bowls on a lower shelf and small plates and saucers higher up. Adjustable shelves also allow you to easily move shelves up or down to accommodate new items or reorganize over time.
Look for cabinets that include multiple adjustable shelves on metal pins or standards with built-in holes for shelf pegs. Shelves that simply rest on pegs make adjusting easy while still supporting substantial weight without sagging. Adjustable shelves provide truly adaptable, personalized storage space.
Quality Materials
Kitchen cabinets are available constructed from a wide range of materials including wood, laminate, acrylic, metal, glass and more. While material choice is largely a matter of design taste, some materials stand out above others in terms of quality and durability.
Solid hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry provide a timeless, elegant look and the natural warmth of real wood. Hardwoods are durable, scratch-resistant, and come in a wide range of stain colors to match any kitchen style. Other top-quality cabinet materials include stainless steel for a sleek, modern look that is easy to clean and sanitize. Glass cabinet doors lend an open, airy feel and allow you to display attractive dishware.
High-pressure laminates offer an affordable alternative to solid woods but chip and scratch more easily. Stay away from cheap particleboard cabinets which won’t stand the test of time. Choosing quality cabinet materials that fit your budget ensures attractive, enduring cabinets.
Customized Storage Solutions
Rather than settling for generic, one-size-fits-all cabinetry, consider customized storage solutions tailored specifically to your kitchen and cooking needs. Custom cabinets can be designed and built to match the exact size, shape and storage needs of your space.
Start by identifying how you use your kitchen. What are your most-used pots, pans and appliances? Where do you prep and cook food? What items need quick access versus longer-term storage? How will multiple cooks navigate the space? Answering these questions will reveal what customizations make the most sense.
Consider customized options like corner cabinets, angled cabinets, tall pantry units, kitchen islands with storage, appliance garages, and pull-out shelves sized for baking sheets or mixers. You can select specialized drawers for knives, spices, trash/recycling and more. Take advantage of wasted spaces like the area under sinks or behind appliances.
Built-ins like hutch cabinets, wine racks, and display shelving enable you to perfectly utilize available space. For a kitchen that fits your space, storage and usage needs, customized cabinetry is essential.
Layout and Workflow
When designing your new kitchen cabinets, the layout of the cabinets in relation to the rest of the kitchen is a key consideration. Cabinet and kitchen layout directly impact your cooking workflow and efficiency. Consider the following:
Kitchen Work Triangle
The work triangle concept recommends placing the three main kitchen work zones – the sink, stove and refrigerator – in an easily navigated triangle with counterspace between. No leg of the triangle should be less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet. This makes navigating between tasks convenient.
Counter Work Space
Allow for adequate counter space between cabinets and appliances for food prep, staging and serving. Having multiple work zones avoids crowding. Islands and peninsulas expand work space.
Cabinet Functionality
Position base cabinets and upper wall cabinets conveniently so everything you need is within reach. Place commonly used items where they are accessible. Put lesser-used items in hard-to-reach areas.
Traffic Flow
Look at the kitchen entryways and doorways. Position cabinets to avoid interfering with major traffic paths and allow multiple cooks to work together comfortably.
Appliances and Utilities
Take appliances, plumbing and electrical outlets into account so cabinets don’t interfere with operation and usage. Allow space for appliance doors to fully open.
A well-planned kitchen layout makes working in your kitchen a pleasure. When designing your custom cabinetry, keep workflow and efficiency in mind.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinets
With a wide selection of kitchen cabinet styles, materials, and configurations available, choosing cabinetry that perfectly suits your cooking needs and kitchen design can feel overwhelming. Keep these essential features – durability, storage, adjustability, quality, customization, and layout – at the forefront of your decision making.
Prioritize cabinets constructed from solid hardwoods like maple or oak using strong joinery that will stand the test of time. Look for storage solutions tailored specifically to your kitchen items with adjustable shelves, specialized drawers and interior storage systems. Choose attractive, high-quality materials you love that also perform.
Design customized cabinetry built for your unique space that simplifies cooking tasks through smart workspace planning. With cabinets tailored to you, you’ll enjoy cooking and entertaining in your kitchen for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Kitchen Cabinet Features
Kitchen cabinetry plays an integral role in your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetics. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about choosing the ideal cabinetry features for your needs.
What cabinet finish is best for the kitchen?
Popular cabinet finish options include stain, paint, lacquer, glaze, and thermofoil. Stain allows the natural wood grain to show through in colors like cherry, espresso or gray. Paint provides unlimited color options for modern or traditional looks, from white to navy blue. Lacquer creates a durable, glossy surface. Glazing over stain or paint adds an antiqued, worn finish. Thermofoil is a budget-friendly laminate option. The best finish aligns with your personal style.
Should I choose custom or stock kitchen cabinets?
Stock cabinets come in set sizes and configurations. While affordable, they may not maximize your unique space. Custom cabinets are made to order specifically for your kitchen. Though pricier, you can customize everything for the perfect fit and function. Semi-custom cabinets offer customizable sizing at lower costs than fully custom.
What organizational features maximize kitchen cabinet storage?
Lazy susans, pull-out shelves, adjustable drawers, tilt-out trays, kitchen cabinets with built-in spice racks, concealed garbage/recycling bins, cookie sheet dividers, and interior cabinets for small appliances all maximize space. Rank your most-used items and look for organizational solutions to keep them handy.
How do I choose cabinets that match my kitchen’s style?
Traditional kitchens tend to have ornate raised-panel cabinet doors and decorative hardware. For contemporary looks, opt for simple slab cabinet fronts and sleek handles. Cottage-style kitchens have visible hinges, light colors and wire mesh cabinet inserts. Make sure your cabinets align with the overall look you want for your kitchen.
Should I put upper or lower cabinets on either side of my kitchen window?
This depends on your preference. Upper cabinets provide more storage. Lower cabinets create an uninterrupted counter space. A compromise is using glass-door upper cabinets to avoid blocking the view and light. Proper window placement also impacts your options – windows above the counter allow for upper cabinets over the sink.
Conclusion
From durability to storage design to materials and style, choosing kitchen cabinetry involves evaluating many options to find the perfect fit. Focus on must-have features like adjustable shelves, quality hardware, and custom sizing and you’ll enjoy functional beauty in your kitchen for decades to come. Take time to make careful choices – your cabinetry is likely to last longer than any appliances. With strategic planning and cabinets tailored to your needs, you’ll create a kitchen that truly provides joy.
