Source: Pexels
Cabinets form the backbone of your kitchen. You can use cabinets to make the most of the space and floor plan, but it can seem overwhelming to start.
Take some inspiration from the professionals at National K&B Cabinetry, your luxury cabinet manufacturers in Austin.
“Designing a kitchen is hard work with a lot of decisions to make. Plus, it’s a big investment that you want to love for years to come.”
Exploring Color in Your Kitchen
Color makes a huge impact in your kitchen. Choosing the right color can make your kitchen look bigger, smaller, more open, cheery, or formal. Cooler, lighter colors make a room feel bigger, while warmer and darker colors make a space smaller or bring a high ceiling closer to the ground.
You should also consider how the textures in your kitchen complement its colors. For example, stainless steel has a sleek look that provides a nice contrast to the natural warmth of wood. A lot of neutrals can be elevated with a splash of bright color with an interesting texture.
Popular Kitchen Cabinet Styles
Shaker-Style Cabinets
Shaker-style cabinets are among the most popular options – for good reason. They have clean, classic lines and work with a range of different aesthetics. If you prefer a more modern look, you can pair shaker-style cabinets with different edge detailing to match the look you want.
The frame of the cabinet also changes the look of the kitchen. Thinner frames have a more modern appeal, while thicker and more ornate frames suit a traditional space. White is commonly used for shaker-style cabinets in farmhouse spaces, but soft colors and neutral tones can work in more modern spaces.
Traditional-Style Cabinets
Traditional-style cabinets are warm and timeless, lending themselves to homey kitchen designs. If you want a more formal look, traditional cabinets are an ideal complement to decorative accents like corbels.
Generally, traditional cabinets are a good choice for a warmer color palette with a lot of wood or antique finishes. You can also get details like curves, arches, or embellishments that add to the aesthetic appeal and give the kitchen a more majestic appearance.
Slab Cabinets
Slab cabinets look brilliant in a sleek, modern kitchen. Also known as flat panel cabinets, these cabinets have a single smooth piece of wood or plywood as a clean backdrop for more striking features of your kitchen, such as lighting or interesting fixtures.
Though slab cabinets are often minimalist, they can be warmed up with different finishes or color choices. For example, dark wood like black walnut adds warmth and interest, while mahogany has a rich look that’s not overpowering in a large, open kitchen.
Beadboard Cabinets
If you like the look of cottages and modern farmhouses, beadboard cabinets are designed after the traditional beadboard that was used on walls. They can fit in homes that are modern or traditional just as well.
They often come in white, but beadboard cabinets can be painted in striking colors that update the cottage core look, such as navy or emerald green. This also helps with cleaning, as all those grooves in the cabinet doors can collect a lot of grime and dirt.
Glass-Front Cabinets
A lot of upscale kitchens have glass-front cabinets. They have a naturally high-end look and break up the heavy appearance of solid doors. You can also display attractive glasses, dishes, or décor, and if your kitchen is smaller, the reflected light from the glass makes it seem larger and brighter.
But if you have a lot of stuff to store in your cabinet space, glass-front cabinets may not be the best choice. You have to be selective about what shows in your cabinets or else your kitchen will look cluttered. That said, mirrored glass doors can obscure the interior of the cabinet without compromising the look you want.
Frame vs. Frameless Cabinets
You have two options for cabinet construction: framed and frameless. The former has an added face frame at the front of the cabinet box where the hinges and doors attach. You can choose from partial or full overlay and inset doors, which affect the way your cabinets look when the doors are closed.
Frameless cabinets started in Europe and grew in popularity in the US. They have full overlay doors that attach directly to the cabinet via hinges on the interior. These cabinets tend to look more contemporary and have more space inside, which is important if you need a lot of kitchen storage.
Let Us Help with Your Kitchen Design
Designing a kitchen is hard work with a lot of decisions to make. Plus, it’s a big investment that you want to love for years to come. Finding the right balance between form and function, elegance and simplicity requires an expert touch like National K&B Cabinetry, your premier kitchen cabinet door manufacturer in Austin. We offer a range of all-wood RTA cabinet options and custom cabinetry in Austin. Contact us to schedule a consultation!