Your kitchen cabinets set the tone for your whole kitchen design. Whether you opt for a traditional, contemporary, or transitional style, paying attention to the right cabinetry details will ensure your kitchen has a custom, high-end look. From cabinet door profiles and finishes to clever storage solutions, cabinetry choices make a big impact.
Choosing Cabinet Doors for a Custom Look
Your cabinet door style immediately establishes the style of your kitchen. Here are some of the most popular options to consider:
Shaker Style Cabinet Doors
Clean lines and a simple design give Shaker style cabinet doors their customary look. Flat recessed or raised panels and a square frame create this traditional style. Opting for painted Shaker cabinets in light airy colors like white, light gray, or pale blue conveys a fresh, classic look perfect for many design aesthetics.
Shaker style doors also pair well with many types of kitchen hardware to further customize your look. Black metal pulls or knobs can create a nice contrast on light painted cabinets. Or try brushed brass or oil-rubbed bronze hardware for a more traditional vibe.
Slab Cabinet Doors
Slab cabinet doors have a simple, streamlined appearance that’s perfect for contemporary kitchens. These cabinet fronts have no border or frame around the cabinet face. The recessed panel floats gracefully on the cabinet box.
Slab doors work especially well for glossy finishes like high-gloss lacquer. The uninterrupted expanse of the cabinet door highlights the sleek finish. Matte lacquers in silky whites and grays also complement the minimalist slab cabinet aesthetic.
Inset Cabinet Doors
Inset cabinet doors sit flush within the face frame of the cabinet box. This creates a seamless built-in look popularized by European frameless cabinetry. The clean, integrated appearance provides a refined, furniture-like characteristic.
Because inset doors don’t overlay the cabinet face, you’ll see the opening on the side as well as the interior cabinet walls. That means you’ll want to pay extra attention to hinge selection and your cabinet construction and finishing.
Lipped Cabinet Doors
Traditional lipped doors have a frame with a visible lip around the outer edge. Many custom kitchen designs feature traditional lipped doors. The lip can run the full perimeter of the frame or form more of a cove detail along the inside.
Lipped cabinet doors often use raised or recessed door panels. This profile allows plenty of room for intricate door carvings and molding details. Distressed paint techniques and glazes further accentuate the distinct sections of the door.
Glass Cabinet Doors
Adding glass cabinet doors is an easy way to create a custom look in your kitchen. Glass fronts light up enclosed cabinet spaces and showcase attractive dishware. For a truly high-end look, choose a glass style with beveling, etching, or leaded details.
Make sure to select tempered or laminated safety glass for cabinet fronts. Avoid plate glass, which can shatter sharply when broken. Carefully consider which areas work best for glass. Upper cabinets and wall ends provide opportunity while lower cabinets and drawers should remain opaque.
Selecting Stylish Cabinet Finishes
Your cabinet door style and kitchen color palette will inform your cabinet finish selection. Here are some on-trend, luxe options for custom kitchen style:
Painted Cabinets
Painting your cabinets is one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your kitchen. Light, bright painted cabinets feel fresh and contemporary. Deep, dramatic painted cabinets inject an intimate, sophisticated look.
Opt for high-quality cabinet grade paint in satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss sheens. Match your finish to your cabinet style and the overall look you want. For example, sleek lacquered finishes complement slab cabinets while classic Shaker cabinets suit softer sheens.
Look for paint with integrated primers, stains, and glazes for a custom-finished look. Soft-close hinges prevent slamming painted doors.
Stained Wood Cabinets
Wood cabinets stained in rich warm tones bring timeless character to a kitchen. Stains in deeper espresso colors feel crisp and modern while medium-toned chestnut stains have a more traditional allure.
Select your cabinet wood and stain color with your overall kitchen design in mind. Light stains let the natural wood grain shine through while darker stains make the grain more subtle. Cool gray undertones work well with marble, stone, and modern materials while redder wood tones complement natural textures.
Consider a custom technique like wire brushing or limewashing over your stain for extra depth and interest. Protect your investment with a good polyurethane topcoat.
White Wash Cabinets
White washed or limed cabinets provide a light and organic look, similar to coastal cottage or French country kitchens. The white wash reveals hints of the wood grain through a chalky white topcoat.
Ash, oak, cherry, and maple take white washing beautifully. The multi-step process involves applying a white paint or lime and then distressing it to break through to the wood beneath. Wax sealing provides protection.
White wash works equally well on painted cabinets, adding charming aged texture over the top. Try airy light blues, grays, and greens under the white for a custom look.
Glazed Cabinets
Adding a translucent glaze over stained or painted cabinets provides an ultra-custom finish. The glaze settles into the nooks and crannies of cabinet frames and profiles for added depth and dimension.
Neutrals like creamy whites, warm grays, and chocolate browns take glazing beautifully. Or go bold with contrasting glazes like blue over orange or black over white – possibilities are endless!
Multiple coats of glaze build up an aged appearance. Topcoat with polyurethane or wax to seal and protect the finish. Soft closing hinges prevent stuck glazed doors.
Choosing Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Swapping out basic cabinet pulls for unique hardware upgrades the custom look of any kitchen. Here are some special finishing touches to consider:
Antique Style Hardware
Timeworn antique cabinet hardware introduces old-world personality to a kitchen space. Look for vintage style bin pulls, ring pulls, hooks, and knobs in aged patinas.
A mix of different shapes, sizes, and finishes across your cabinetry creates an eclectic collected look. Black, bronze, brass, and iron bring an antiqued appeal.
Try using antique hardware on cabinets with worn, distressed finishes. Modern and traditional kitchens alike benefit from this dash of charm.
Hammered Hardware
The hand forged look of hammered metal hardware lends unique artisanal style to kitchens. Hefty hammered iron pulls and handles feel especially substantial and sturdy. Copper and brass hammered hardware bring in warmth.
Incorporate hammered finishes throughout the kitchen. Extend to pendant lights, sinks and faucets for cohesive custom styling. The hammered look fits nicely with farmhouse, traditional and eclectic spaces.
Geometric Hardware
For a cleaner modern look, choose hardware with geometric styling. Angular bar pulls, thin rectangular pulls, and minimalist round knobs all provide sleek accent. Stick with polished chrome, matte black, or brushed nickel for an industrial edge.
Geometric hardware pairs particularly well with contemporary kitchen materials like quartz countertops and glass tile backsplashes. Match the hardware finish to your faucet and light fixtures.
Whimsical Hardware
Informal kitchen spaces are the perfect place to add playful, whimsical hardware. Novelty hardware options run the gamut from seashell and vine shapes to animal and botanical motifs.
For a cohesive look, limit whimsy to accent areas like an island or open shelving. Focus on hardware shapes and designs special and unique to you – your hobbies, interests, and favorite places. Made-to-order custom hardware opens endless possibilities.
Choosing Functional Storage Solutions
Well-designed kitchens optimize every inch of space. These specialty storage solutions make the most of your cabinet potential for a custom look and feel:
Pull Out Pantries
Leverage the deep space behind cabinet fronts with pull out pantries. Roll out wire bins on shelves to neatly organize dry goods, canned goods, and spices so they are easily accessible. Select adjustable shelves to accommodate various height items.
Pull out cabinet drawers offer similar roll out access within a drawer box. Use for utensils, cutting boards, trays, and other kitchen tools for quick access. Full extension glides ensure you can view contents easily.
Waste Bin Cabinetry
Hide unsightly trash and recycling bins inside dedicated cabinet spaces. Use pull out cabinet fronts or side mount waste bins on cabinet interiors or on sink cabinets. Select commercial grade bins that are durable and easy to clean.
For custom concealed waste storage, use tip out bins mounted on the undersides of sink base cabinets. The foot-activated hinges allow you to simply bump the bin to open. Soft-close hinges prevent loud banging.
Appliance Garages
Dedicate specialized cabinetry spaces to house small countertop appliances. Appliance garages keep mixers, blenders, coffee makers and other small appliances organized. Lift up doors equipped with gas springs or struts allow easy access.
Integrate electrical outlets inside appliance garages to make equipment easy to plug in and use. Consider ventilation for housed toasters, air fryers or other appliances that release steam or heat.
Tiered Storage
Divide standard base cabinets vertically to double storage capacity. Tiered cabinetry uses roll out trays or drawers on the bottom with standard cabinets shelves above. Or add pull-down spice racks behind cabinet doors.
This technique works especially well for base corner cabinets. Spinning “lazy susan” trays coupled with upper shelves maximize use of the deep corner space. The upper tier provides storage for small items while the lower tier stores bulkier goods.
Choosing Specialty Cabinets and Organizers
Dedicated storage cabinets tailored for specific functions streamline your workflow. Consider adding these custom niche pieces:
Microwave Cabinet
An integrated microwave cabinet makes this everyday appliance feel built-in. Choose cabinet frames, trim, and panels that match the rest of your cabinetry for a cohesive custom look. Select cabinets with ventilation to surround the microwave.
Install the microwave at a comfortable height, typically similar to wall ovens. Place it near other cooking equipment in the work triangle without awkward reaches. Integrated microwaves save countertop space and clutter.
Utility Cabinet Organizers
Base cabinets specifically designed for utility organization add custom function. Use them to neatly store cleaning products, trash bags, light bulbs, batteries, and other household items.
Look for options like slide out trays, utility baskets, adjustable racks, and vertical partition dividers to keep the cabinet’s contents orderly and accessible. Wheels on pull out trays allow you to transport goods.
Pantry Cabinet
An entire pantry cabinet maximizes kitchen storage possibilities. Walk-in pantries provide ample space for food storage as well as small appliances, cookware, and servingware. Consider a custom built-in pantry with floor-to-ceiling shelves and cabinets.
Freestanding cabinet pantries also dedicated enclosed storage with racks, cabinets and drawers inside a full-height cabinet unit. Place your pantry near cooking zones for efficient kitchen work flows.
Cutlery Drawer Organizers
Keep knives, utensils, and cutlery organized with segmented cutlery drawers. Vertical dividers create custom compartments for each piece. Bins, trays, and inserts further separate and contain items.
Look for organizers with non-slip linings to keep tools in place. Consider options like U-shaped pegs to hold knives safely. Flock-lined silverware organizer trays protect finishes.
Enhancing Kitchen Cabinets with Moldings
Supplementary trim details contribute upscale elegance to any kitchen cabinetry. Here are some beautiful finishing moldings to consider:
Crown Molding
Crown molding frames your cabinets in style while creating visual continuity. It spans across the top of your wall cabinets, capping them attractively. Graduating crown moldings in layered steps add further distinction.
Crown molding choices range from simple to ornate. Rope, dentil, and flower motifs inject traditional sophistication. Contemporary cove and square styles keep the line clean. Light up crown molding with discreet LED strip lighting.
Light Rail Molding
Light rail molding accents cabinet frames horizontally, running just below the countertop along base cabinets. Light rails outline and define each cabinet door and drawer. The trim’s long shape also leads the eye appealingly across the kitchen perimeter.
Light rails look especially sharp on Shaker style cabinets. Or give slab cabinets more character with the accent molding. Use light rail moldings flowing with the line of marble subway tiles.
Accent Trims
Smaller trim accents make big decorative impact. Bun feet, corbels, and appliqués ornament individual cabinets for a custom look. Fluted columns, scalloped trim, even pendant jewels dress up kitchen cabinetry.
Introduce eclectic styles like Victorian, Art Deco, or contemporary with fun and unique accent trims. Many trim pieces are easily installed simply by applying adhesives to cabinet surfaces.
Designing Striking Decorative Range Hoods
A decorative range hood instantly becomes a focal feature in any kitchen. Unique range hood designs define the kitchen’s style. Here are some eye-catching options:
Copper Range Hood
Warm metallic copper makes a brilliant range hood focal point. The rich tone and artisanal look of hammered copper make a strong style statement. Copper also pairs beautifully with many cabinet finishes.
Look for range hoods combining copper and other materials like iron, wood, or marble. Copper brilliantly complements both traditional and modern kitchen aesthetics. Over time, the finish will gracefully age and patina.
Brick Range Hood
For an authentic architectural look, design a brick range hood. Mix brick patterns, colors, and finishes for texture and depth. Frame out the hood area and construct the brick veneer shield. Brick strikingly contrasts sleek cabinetry.
A rustic or industrial brick hood feels right at home in a casual kitchen space. For a more refined application, opt for symmetrical herringbone patterns or decorative stone accents within the brickwork.
Beadboard Range Hood
Beadboard paneling is another charming material for range hood surrounds. The distinctive vertically grooved boards make a breezy backsplash alternative. Tongue and groove beadboard offers a solid wood option while MDF paneling is more affordable.
Paint your beadboard range hood in light creamy whites and faint sky blues for a true cottage style statement. For a more modern but still beachy look, use gray washed weathered finishes on smooth MDF boards.
Tiled Range Hood
Make a showstopper range hood using intricately tiled mosaics. Continue kitchen backsplash patterns up onto the hood. Accent with dimensional 3D tiles, listellos, and other special shapes.
Natural stone like marble or travertine delivers an ultra-luxurious bespoke range hood. Mix and match tile sizes, colors, and finishes for one-of-a-kind artistry. Carry the tiled creation all the way to the ceiling for full dramatic effect.
8 Cabinetry Details to Create Custom Kitchen Style: Key Takeaways
- Cabinet door styles like Shaker, slab, inset, and lipped establish the overall kitchen aesthetic.
- Carefully chosen finishes like painted cabinets, stained wood, white wash, and glazing create luxe custom looks.
- Unique hardware choices personalize the space while accent trims add refinement.
- Clever storage solutions maximize efficiency and functionality.
- Specialty organizers streamline workflow and conceal clutter.
- Frame cabinets attractively with crown molding, light rails, and accent trims.
- Make a dramatic design statement with a customized range hood focal point.
With careful attention to material details, you can design a kitchen that perfectly suits your space and style preferences. Focus on quality cabinetry paired with purposeful and creative touches to achieve a custom, decorator look unique to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some ways to add custom style to kitchen cabinets?
Some ways to make your kitchen cabinets look custom and high-end include:
- Choosing distinctive cabinet door fronts like inset, lipped, or glass fronts.
- Selecting upscale finishes like painted cabinets with integrated glazes.
- Incorporating unique hardware like hammered copper pulls or geometric knobs.
- Adding trim accents like light rail molding, corbels, or crown detailing.
- Opting for specialty storage pieces like pull out pantries or appliance garages.
- Installing a striking range hood focal point with materials like tile or brick.
How do I choose cabinet hardware for a custom look?
Focus on cabinet hardware that feels special and unique to your style. Antique and vintage-style hardware adds character. Geometric and hammered hardware have artisanal appeal. Nature-inspired novelty hardware can feel whimsical. Mixing metals and finishes creates an eclectic collected look.
What kind of range hood makes the biggest visual impact?
Opt for range hoods with distinctive materials like copper, brick, tile, or beadboard. Choose materials and colors that complement your overall kitchen design. Covering the entire area around your hood to the ceiling makes the biggest visual impact.
What are some benefits of pull out cabinet storage solutions?
Pull out cabinets, trays, and drawers allow you to fully view and access contents in back cabinet spaces. Roll out shelves bring items to you, which is especially helpful for pantries and corner cabinets. Pull out storage makes good use of the depth in base cabinets and maximizes storage capacity.
How can moldings add custom detail to kitchen cabinets?
Crown molding frames cabinets elegantly while light rail moldings accentuate cabinet bases in style. Accent trims like corbels, feet, and appliqués adorn individual cabinets for a custom look. Moldings introduce colors and architectural shapes that complement the cabinetry design.
Conclusion
Achieving a custom, high-end look for your kitchen cabinets is all about the thoughtful details. From your choice of Shaker versus slab cabinet doors to small touches like antique bin pulls or be
