The kitchen is often considered as the most important room in a home. It is where you socialise, prepare meals and spend a significant amount of time as a family. As a result, it is essential that you can make the most of your space in the kitchen. If you are remodelling your kitchen, or just looking to give it a quick spruce up, then your kitchen cabinets are a great place to start.
Your kitchen cabinets are so much more than just storage spaces; they are crucial to the overall style and design of your space. Well-designed kitchen cabinets will form an integral part of the layout, look and functionality of your kitchen. When designing new kitchen cabinets there are various things to consider, and this guide covers everything you need to know about kitchen cabinet design.
Your kitchen cabinets are ultimately there for practicality and storage, and while it is essential to choose cabinets that look nice in your home, the functionality of them should always be at the forefront of your mind.
Before you begin choosing new cabinets, think about your current kitchen storage and how it is working for you and your family.
Carefully consider all the storage space you have, as well as the space you need for appliances such as your cooker, washing machine and fridge. Bear in mind smaller appliances as well, such as kettles and toasters, as these will also impact how you design your kitchen space. Well-designed cabinets can increase your kitchen storage space, conceal clutter and make your kitchen feel larger than it really is.
Every kitchen is a different shape and size to the next, and many cabinet manufacturers will use a standard 10 foot by 10-foot kitchen as a comparison. Kitchen design companies may use 10×10 kitchens to give a rough indication of how much a total outfitted kitchen will cost, including cabinets, flooring and appliances.
Cabinet manufacturers will also use 10×10 kitchens as a standard for their cabinet-only packages. When you are looking at purchasing cabinets, and they give you a package as a 10×10 kitchen. Be sure to find out exactly what is included and consider if they will suit your needs. In many cases, it can be easier and more practical to get custom built cabinets made to fit your unique kitchen space.
Once you know the layout of your new kitchen cabinets, you will need to choose a material for the cupboards and drawers. The material you choose plays a big role in the overall look of your kitchen, and you can choose from various types of wood, metal or laminate.
It is important to consider the existing décor of your kitchen such as flooring and walls, to pick a material that will fit in well and compliment the design. In addition to thinking about the look and feel of your kitchen cabinet material, it is vital to consider the quality of your chosen material.
No matter what your budget is, you should ensure that the materials you pick will be long-lasting and durable. Solid-wood frames and doors are an excellent option for kitchen cabinets that will last a long time and save you money in the long run.
It is easy to get caught up in focusing on the big decisions such as the layout and materials for your new kitchen cabinets, but you should always remember the details as well. Think about ways to make your new kitchen more efficient, which will, in turn, make your day to day life much easier.
Consider choosing cabinets that have adjustable shelves, built-in organisers, or pull out trays to utilise your space in the best possible way. Try to determine what your storage needs are for your kitchen and then look for cabinets that offer a sufficient amount of space.
It is often worth considering bespoke kitchen cabinets to meet all your needs, as finding pre-made cabinets that meet your every requirement can be a struggle.
To best use the space in your kitchen, a combination of both drawers and doors is a good option. It is usually best to use drawers on lower-level cabinets, and you can incorporate a combination of small drawers for things like cutlery and big drawers for stackable pans.
Doors and cupboards are best for higher cabinets and overhead storage. When deciding on your drawers and doors, think about the styles available to you. You can now opt for push-to-open drawers or soft closing doors, which can have a big effect on the overall aesthetic and user-friendliness of your kitchen.
By taking into account all of these considerations, you can ensure you invest well with your kitchen cabinets and pick the right storage solutions to suit your space, needs and style.