Choosing the Perfect Cabinet Styles and Colors for Your Space

When it comes to home design, cabinets are more than just storage solutions; they’re pivotal elements that shape the aesthetic and functionality of a space. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or any other area with cabinetry, selecting the right style and color can transform your space into a cohesive and visually appealing environment. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the myriad of cabinet styles and colors to find what best suits your taste and needs.

1. Understanding Cabinetry Basics
Framed vs. Frameless

Framed Cabinetry: American cabinet manufacturers have traditionally built cabinets using framed construction. In this type of cabinet construction, the rails and stiles form a 1-1/2 inch face “frame” at the front of the cabinet box. This frame resembles a flat picture frame attached to the door front, adding dimension to the door front.

Framed Advantages: In framed cabinetry, the cabinet doors are secured to the frame, which gives the cabinet strength and sturdiness. Framed cabinets attach the door hinges to the frame face and shelves, and are usually, but not always, adjustable. Partial and full overlay, as well as inset cabinet doors, can be used with framed cabinets, giving you many design possibilities for creating a customized look for your cabinetry.

Frameless Cabinetry: Frameless cabinet construction is a European way of manufacturing cabinets that has become popular among American homeowners. Frameless cabinetry offers greater accessibility by eliminating the face frame. Instead, it relies on thicker box construction for stability, with hinges attached directly to the sides of the cabinet box.

Frameless Advantages: In frameless construction, the cabinet doors are secured to the box, providing a simple aesthetic. Frameless cabinets do not have a center stile coming down in the middle of the two cabinet doors, offering easier access to the items inside, as well as more storage space to work with. Drawers in frameless cabinetry tend to be larger because of the space saved by not having a face frame attached to the front.

Cabinet Door Styles
Choosing the right doors for your cabinets is no small decision. After all, they add an important visual element to your space. The style you choose will have a significant impact on the overall design of the room. Based purely on your cabinet door choices, you can set the tone for a room that’s bright and fun, sophisticated and refined, or minimalistic and classic.

2. Designing Your Cabinets
Heights, Widths, and Depths

Varied Heights: The upper cabinets in kitchens are almost always installed so the bottom edge of the cabinet is 54 inches above the floor. The 18 inches of clearance between base cabinets and uppers are regarded as the optimal working space, with base cabinets generally 36 inches high (with countertop included) and 24 inches deep.

Upper cabinets begin at 54 inches, providing that desired clearance. These measurements are ergonomic for anyone over 4 feet tall, and optimal for an average user 5 ft. 8 inches in height. Cabinets that fit above a refrigerator or range may be installed higher and may also be deeper than the standard 12 inches.

Inside Your Cabinets – Organization is a primary reason our customers want to have their homes remodeled. Take a look at your current kitchen and make a list of all of the organizational opportunities you currently have. Think about drawers, shelves, and specialized compartments for items like pots, pans, or cooking utensils. Our Designers are well-versed in the options our cabinetry partners offer, to assist you in building your dream kitchen. From a standard Lazy Susan to drawers with electrical outlets that charge your small electronics, to appliance garages, and whole cabinets dedicated to K-cup storage. We have unlimited options to make your kitchen the most organized space in your home.

3. Cabinet Finishes

The finish of your cabinets can dramatically alter the look of your space. Options include stain, paint, glaze, and natural wood finishes.

Paint Trends
White – Trendy or classic? We say both! White cabinets are the number one pick of cabinet buyers today – and with good reason. White is the perfect backdrop for nearly every color palette you can think of.
Gray – From light to dark, the love for gray is a hallmark of today’s home interiors. It only stands to reason that a variety of gray shades in painted or stained finishes are great cabinetry choices.
Blue – A full kitchen or thoughtful accent, blues in every hue are having a moment. Looked upon as the “new neutral”, darker blues are as easy to live with as a favorite pair of jeans and even easier to love.
Green – Greens are stealing the spotlight. Forest green and rich emerald are becoming go-to choices for those seeking a sophisticated and luxurious vibe in their home. These deep hues create a sense of drama and depth while adding a touch of elegance.
Off White – Softer shades of a timeless classic mesh well with many home décor schemes. Leave it to us for your perfect hue, with an available array of off-whites in warm creamy tones to cool, barely-there tints.
Black – While entirely black kitchens make a bold statement, the long-standing appeal of classic back meshes perfectly with many wood tones too. Look to black as a grounding force and set the tone for a dramatic design theme.

Stains
Stained cabinetry allows the natural wood grain to show through and strikes a great balance between color and texture, enhancing the unique patterns and beauty of wood cabinetry. Stains are not only beautiful but can also be an economical choice when selecting cabinet finishes.

Glazes
Glaze is a transparent or semi-transparent coating that is applied after a cabinet has been painted or stained. Glazing kitchen cabinets adds depth and color to the finish. Glazing gives an antique look to kitchen cabinets and highlights the underlying base color while accenting surface details. This premium finish is particularly apparent in corners, molding, doors, drawers’ fleur-de-lis, and any other decorative details, leaving an additional darker highlight.

Glass Inserts
If you have treasures you’d like to showcase, glass inserts make a design statement as well. Glass cabinet doors are available in multiple fashionable designs to suit your style, from classic or antique motifs to modern, on-trend designs. Choose from art glass, textured glass, and mullion cabinet doors to set off your cabinet design.

Remodeling with new cabinetry is an exciting opportunity to enhance the beauty and functionality of your home. By understanding the basics of cabinet types, materials, and design, you can make informed decisions that align with your style and needs. Whether you opt for painted, stained, or glazed cabinets, a well-thought-out cabinetry plan can transform your space and add lasting value to your home. So roll up your sleeves, get inspired, and embark on your cabinetry remodeling journey with confidence!

For more tips and personalized advice, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help you create the perfect cabinets for your home!