Choosing the right cabinets is one of the most important decisions when remodeling or building a new kitchen. As kitchen designers with years of experience, we know that cabinets set the foundation for functionality and style. Here are our top 10 cabinet solutions to consider for your next kitchen project.
1. Choose Cabinet Door Styles Carefully
The style of your cabinet doors makes a huge impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. Take time to consider which door styles fit your kitchen’s overall design aesthetic. Some top options include:
- Shaker cabinets: A versatile, timeless option with a simple flat center panel and frame around the edges. Shakers work well in both modern and traditional kitchens.
- Slab cabinets: Feature a flat, unadorned slab door for a streamlined, contemporary look. Great for modern or industrial kitchens.
- Inset cabinets: Offer a classic, high-end look with the cabinet door set inside the cabinet frame so it closes flush within the frame. Ideal for traditional kitchens.
- Glass cabinets: Either fully or partially made of glass to create an open, airy look. Glass-front cabinets showcase items while closed.
2. Optimize Storage With Smart Interior Designs
Don’t just look at the cabinet doors! Clever storage solutions inside the cabinets make the kitchen more user-friendly. Consider:
- Pull-out shelves: Make items in back of cabinets easily accessible. Great for blind corner cabinets and base cabinets.
- Lazy susans: Spinning trays provide smooth access to items in corner cabinets.
- Deep drawers: Allow you to arrange pots, pans, and other items neatly in base cabinets.
- Roll-out trays: Offer easy access to items in upper cabinets. Cut down on stretching and reaching.
- Wastebasket compartments: Hide garbage/recycling bins in base cabinet for discreet waste management.
3. Mix Open Shelving and Closed Cabinets
The ratio of open to closed storage should align with your functional needs and design style. Closed cabinets hide clutter while open shelves display decorative items. Aim for a good balance.
4. Consider Custom Cabinets For A Built-In Look
Many homeowners opt for stock or semi-custom cabinets for budget reasons. But for a truly built-in, custom look, customized cabinets may be worth the splurge. Custom cabinets are made to your exact kitchen specifications.
5. Choose Durable Surfaces Like Quartz Or Solid Wood
The surface material you choose for countertops and cabinet boxes impacts durability and longevity. Consider resilient options like:
- Quartz countertops: Non-porous and scratch/stain-resistant while mimicking the look of natural stone.
- Solid wood cabinet boxes: Stronger and longer-lasting than particle board or plywood. Maple or oak are great options.
6. Incorporate Functional Design Elements
Today’s kitchen cabinets offer clever functional design options, like:
- Appliance garages: Hide small appliances like coffee makers or stand mixers behind a door. Great for small kitchens!
- Spice drawers: Pull-out narrow drawers designed to neatly organize spices and bottles.
- Cutlery dividers: Built-in silverware organizers make sorting utensils inside drawers easier.
- Tilt-out trays: Provide easy access to items stored deep in base cabinets or pantries.
7. Choose Cabinets With Adjustable Interiors
Look for cabinet brands that offer adjustable shelves, drawers, and racks. Being able to reconfigure the interior storage as your needs change offers lifelong functionality.
8. Include Specialty Storage Solutions
Dedicated storage for knives, pans, wine, trash, and recycle bins makes your kitchen more user-friendly. Options like pull-out knife drawers, pan drawers, wine racks, and waste bin compartments optimize space.
9. Light It Up With Under Cabinet Lights
Strategically placed lighting makes the kitchen safer and more functional. Under cabinet lighting illuminates countertops while accent lighting highlights architectural details.
10. Stay On Budget With Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets
RTA cabinets offer serious savings over custom cabinetry. Assembled yourself from a flat-pack kit, RTA cabinets can still offer the same array of styles, finishes, and storage accessories as costlier cabinets.
Key Takeaways On Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
- Focus on functional storage with smart interior cabinet designs first.
- Mix closed and open cabinets to find the right visual balance.
- Custom cabinets offer a true built-in look for those with bigger budgets.
- Optimize specialty storage with pull-outs, organizers, and racks tailored to your kitchen workflow.
- Ready-to-assemble cabinets are an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on style or options.
With some careful planning and decision making, you can select the ideal cabinet system for your cooking and entertaining needs while staying true to your kitchen’s design aesthetic. Take time to evaluate all of the available options—surfaces, hardware, lighting—along with the cabinet layout, heights, and depths during the design process. Our team of experienced kitchen designers are happy to guide you through the cabinet selection process from start to finish!
