Displaying cookbooks on an open shelf showcases your love for cooking.
Deciding upon the type of cabinet to use is the first step of designing a new or remodeled kitchen. By selecting stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets, you determine the budget for the kitchen and how well space is used for storage and food preparation. Once this is determined, the colors, doors and materials can drive the style your kitchen will take on. Does this Spark an idea?
Materials
The most popular material used to make cabinets is wood, followed by stainless steel, laminate, melamine, lacquer and acrylic. By adding and combining details and finishes, any material can be adjusted to be more modern or more traditional to match your style. No matter which material you choose, inspect the cabinet and drawer construction inside and out, especially at the joints, and the surface for de-lamination or peeling.
Storage
Properly planned cabinets will increase the amount of storage space while minimizing the square footage they take up. Upper cabinets can extend to the ceiling to add an extra shelf, or base cabinets can be built 6 inches deeper than the standard 24 inches. Add a freestanding hutch near the eating area to store linens and fine china while doubling as an extra serving area.
Organization
It is important to determine what items need to be stored in the cabinets and efficiently organize everything. Accessories such as a lazy Susan, spice rack and pull-outs enhance storage while saving space. Baskets and wire bins are ideal for storing linens and supplies under the sink. Drawers, rather than base cabinets, are becoming increasingly popular to double up on storage for plates, pots, pans and snacks.
Location
Plan enough storage so there is a place to store each dish, pan, utensil or food item near where it will be used. For instance, a large drawer under or near the stove provides convenient storage for pots and pans. Dishes, glassware and cutlery should be kept within convenient reach of the dishwasher and the eating area. Install an extra shelf in cabinets to increase storage in areas where more items are used.
Aesthetics
Once the cabinet layout and organization is decided, select the style of door fronts to use. For visual interest, combine a couple of styles such as solid door fronts, see-through or frosted glass panels, screens or open shelving. If you can see the contents of the cabinet, add a recessed halogen light and glass shelf to illuminate contents, or paint the inside back of the cabinet to coordinate with the color scheme in the room.
Unify the Room
To finish the style of your new kitchen, add decorative touches such as knobs, handles and drawer pulls. For a seamless, high-end look, conceal the refrigerator and dishwasher with panels to match the rest of the cabinetry.
Tags: base cabinets, door fronts, eating area, extra shelf, pots pans, style your
