How to Add Functionality and Aesthetics with Open Shelving in Kitchen Cabinets

 Kitchen Cabinetsare the foundation of a functional and attractive kitchen. They provide storage space for everything from food, dishes and silverware to cookware and bakeware, pantry items, canned goods and other kitchen essentials. They can be built and modified to fit any style and size of kitchen. Kitchen cabinets are available in a wide variety of colors and can be constructed from wood, plywood or MDF. Some cabinets are even made from metal. They can be designed to accommodate different types of appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers, and they can wrap around these devices.

Quality of a cabinet is the material

The most important factor in determining the quality of a cabinet is the material it is constructed from. The highest quality cabinets are solid wood, and the best woods to choose are oak, cherry, maple and hickory. These are all hard, strong and durable and can be stained or painted to match the rest of the kitchen. Solid wood cabinets are usually more expensive than plywood or MDF, but they offer a superior look and can last for generations.

Door type and frame construction

There are also a number of options for the door type and frame construction. A frameless door offers a more modern, clean look, while framed doors are more traditional. There are also various styles of hinges, including concealed and soft-close. Soft-close is a feature that Poteat says will become increasingly popular for drawers and cabinets as homeowners want to reduce the noise, and potentially damage, caused by slamming doors.

Other features to consider include:

Drawers and trays are a great option for lower cabinets as they make it much easier to access contents. They require less squatting or bending and they can be customized to fit the height of the person using them. They also take up less usable space than cabinets mounted on shelves, although they do decrease the depth of the cabinet.

Cabinet hardware should be of good quality. Cheap knobs, pulls and handles are likely to deteriorate over time, leaving them dingy or crooked. The best hardware will be stainless steel, solid brass or brushed nickel.

When shopping for cabinets, it is a good idea to request a list of standard features and then add options that make sense for your family. For example, some manufacturers now offer drawer organizers, which are dividers for the inside of drawers that keep items organized and easy to find. Another helpful addition is a lazy Susan, which takes up dead corner space by spinning and bringing stored items within reach.

Conclusion

When choosing Kitchen Cabinets, it is a good idea to avoid anything that is made from particle board or melamine. These materials are not as durable as solid wood or plywood, and they may off-gas chemicals that are harmful to your health. Ask your cabinet designer about the different types of wood used, and what type of finish is applied. A natural oil-based stain is a good choice, as it will protect the cabinet from scratches and water damage.