Whether the kitchen is your first renovation project or the last room in the house to be upgraded, it’s essential to strike a balance between style and functionality. Minimalist kitchens might look the part, but if you’re living in a busy family household or you’d like to cook delicious meals from scratch, you can’t afford to compromise on practicality.
Renovating the kitchen is one of the most popular home upgrades that provide a good return on investment, so it’s crucial to get it right if you’re thinking of selling up soon. No matter the progress you’ve made, it’s always worth knowing how to choose just the right cabinets.
Three questions to ask yourself when choosing new kitchen cabinets
- Can you match the colour scheme and style of your kitchen?
There are plenty of colour schemes to choose from when it comes to kitchen décor but getting it right can feel challenging. But when you carefully choose your new cabinets to match and enhance the colour scheme, you can rejuvenate the space and transform its ambience too. For example, sage green kitchen cabinets can bring a fresh, calming effect to the room, while still allowing you to experiment with different flooring and countertop styles.
When you’re choosing between kitchen colour schemes, you’ll need to prioritise colours that maximise the space available without making the room feel clinical or uninviting. Neutral shades work well, especially when they’re cleverly contrasted with lighter floors and darker cabinet colours.
And then there are your own style preferences, too. Natural timber cabinets suit rustic country-style homes, while wood veneer and laminate could be the best option for a contemporary or minimalist home.
- Which type of cabinet material is best for you?
There are so many different types of materials available on the commercial market, but picking the best one for your cabinets will help you when renovating the kitchen to become more practical. And style is important too: when you’re designing a luxury fitted kitchen, every detail matters.
A few of the most popular cabinet material types include:
- MDF: Medium-density fireboard is a type of mass-produced artificial wood. It’s stronger than chipboard but is still generally considered a budget option. However, it’s free of sap and knots and offers a smooth finish.
- Timber-faced MDF: If you’d like to achieve the natural timber look without going over budget, you can combine MDF with an outer timber layer.
- Plywood: This premium sheet material is manufactured using several layers of hardwood. It’s offered by premium makers of bespoke cabinets and offers a sturdy material choice. Many suppliers also provide plywood sheets cut to size, making it easier to fit your specific project requirements. It’s also suitable for wall-hung units.
- Real wood: Lastly, real timber is the most luxurious option. It’s sold in single planks, making it easier to complete custom renovation projects. However, it’s not as sturdy as artificial boards and could warp in hot or humid kitchens.
- How much kitchen storage do you need?
Lastly, you need to consider the practical side of kitchen cabinets. They’re not just there for decoration: in fact, kitchen cabinets primarily need to function as useful storage space for plates, cups, saucers, pots, pans, and all the other kitchen items best kept out of sight.
Think about the size of your household and your storage needs. If you expect to be doing a lot of cooking or need to keep large and complex equipment in your kitchen, choosing durable cabinet materials should be your priority.
But if your kitchen already forces you to be efficient where space is concerned, you’ll need to choose cabinet materials that are easy to cut and customise.
Overview
Cabinets are one of the first details in your kitchen to make an impression – and they can also contribute to the practicality, appearance, and storage capacity of your kitchen. Choose the materials carefully and you could be renovating the kitchen to not only add value to your home but also make everyday life that little bit more luxurious too.
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