Should the Bottom Kitchen Cabinets Be the Same Style As the Top?
Questions such as this can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” as there are an abundance of kitchen cabinet element style options. Additionally, the style options you select will depend on renovation-specific factors such as your kitchen layout, budget constraints and personal preferences.
Mixing kitchen cabinet element styles has become increasingly popular over the years because of the nearly endless custom accent opportunities available:
Fronts
Door, drawer and false front styles include wood or laminate slabs and recessed or raised panels featuring eyebrow arch, cathedral or vertical line designs. Clear, frosted or chipped glass doors with or without beading are also available. One popular front mixed top and bottom combination that can make a kitchen seem larger is cathedral top fronts with standard vertical line flat panel bottom fronts as seen on the pictures in this article.
Overlays
A standard or traditional overlay allows approximately 1-inch of exposed face around door, drawer and false fronts. A full overlay hides the face behind these elements. Another option is a full exposure -- no fronts whatsoever. One of 2012’s most popular modern white kitchen combinations is standard overlay clear glass top doors and open cabinet single or multiple shelf top sections mixed with full overlay slab-style or square panel fronts that place emphasis on the shelf items in the top cabinets.
Color
Many homeowners mix contrasting top and bottom colors when they renovate their kitchen. One popular example is using dark-colored bottom cabinetry to anchor light colored top cabinetry. Another popular trend is highlighting cabinet fronts with a color that softly or loudly contrasts with the cabinet framework color. For example, retro diner lovers often use white or cream framework and bright-colored fronts. Some also mix white or black framework with top fronts in one color and bottom in another.
Accessories
Accessories are often used to draw two opposing styles together to complete a look or theme. Bridging styles often involve matching top and bottom doorknobs and drawer pulls. Some homeowners opt for a slightly different style of pull in the same color or a different color in the same style. Additionally, you can use decorative accents such as appliqués and molding on both top and bottom cabinets to bridge front, overlay or color differences.
Whatever combination you’re considering, consulting a cabinetry specialist is the best way to determine if the idea you have in mind will make your kitchen an inspiration or a shining example of how to best renovate your kitchen.
Your kitchen cabinet doors are the most visible element of your kitchen design, and help to create a cohesive look for your kitchen. There are numerous options available when choosing a material for your cabinet doors, and among the most popular options for creating a warm and inviting kitchen are wood and laminate. Both materials have distinct strengths and advantages, making it important to look at your home's specific needs when choosing the right material for your kitchen cabinet doors.
Solid wood cabinet doors have a beautiful, classic appearance. There are several different types of wood available, each with its own unique grain and color. They can stand up to years of hard use, and can be stained or painted in any number of colors and styles. Wood kitchen cabinet doors can be coordinated with the other wood furnishings in your kitchen, from the doors to the molding, to cultivate a cohesive, unified design.
Wood cabinet doors generally cost more money due to their popularity and the care needed in their production. While the quality of solid wood is well worth the price and constitute an investment that will enhance the value of your home in the long term, if you are conducting your kitchen remodeling project on a budget, the cost of wood may be prohibitive. Depending on the humidity of your kitchen, wood cabinet doors may tend to age unevenly or even warp, especially those nearest to the sink and the stove.
High quality laminate kitchen cabinet doors are another excellent option for your kitchen project. Made from high density furniture grade material, laminate is specially sealed in a way that makes it very simple to clean, keeping your kitchen looking bright and free of grime and splatters. Laminate cabinet doors are available in a variety of colors and textures; they can be crafted to resemble wood grain, or present a simple and clean white or warmly colored surface. Laminate is more resistant to damage from humidity and ambient environmental conditions, High quality laminate is also less costly than wood, making it an ideal material for your cabinet doors if price is a significant factor in your refacing needs.
When considering laminate cabinet doors, there are a few details you should bear in mind. Laminate is a durable material, but it is also difficult to repair in the event that it becomes scratched or chipped, as the color is only a single layer deep. The type of regular activity in your kitchen (e.g. kids, pets, etc.) will determine whether or not laminate is a suitable option for you.
Both wood and laminate make excellent choices for your kitchen cabinet doors, and the best choice is determined by the specific vision you have for your kitchen cabinets or cabinet refacing project, and the investment you wish to make in order to achieve it.
Whether one is a full blown environmentalist or simply concerned about the excesses of modern culture, most of us agree with the sentement, "It's a shame to waste." Even with all the natural resources and landfill space preserved by refacing cabinets, many of us are still concerned about the doors. Sometimes we trash some otherwise good doors because they no longer work with our desired kitchen design. If you've been feeling a little tinge of guilt about discarding your old kitchen cabinet doors, we are about to share some ideas with you that are sure to bring a little inner solace. Best of all, these fun projects may coax your kids into helping you with your home improvement endeavors. And in less time than it takes to play an average video game.
How about an "Upcycled" Headboard?
Ann Siper, a contributor for Yahoo! Voices wrote the following in her article about eco-friendly crafts, "For a simple upcycled wood headboard; sand, prime, and paint out a few cabinet doors. Once the paint dries attach them together using flat metal brackets on the back. Make this as wide as your bed. Hang on the wall above your bed to act as a headboard."
Sometimes the doors may still be in good enough shape that you don't even need to sand and paint them. This is especially useful if you've been delaying a kitchen remodel because of a sentimental attachment to your original kitchen design. This will give you an opportunity to preserve a piece of your kitchen's history in another room of your home. Of course we hope that having old kitchen cabinet doors above one's bed does not lead to uncanny urges for midnight snacking.
Decorative Bulletin Boards for Your Home Office?
Even after we've purchased the most up-to-date computers and upgraded to the latest smart phones, we still can't get away from good old fashioned office bulletin boards. There are few better ways to help keep our minds organized than with a magnetic bulletin board. The folks at savingthefamilymoney.com teach us how to convert used kitchen cabinet doors into useful bulletin boards just by adding some thin sheet metal and a piece of decorative fabric. Then simply fill it with some to do lists, pictures and important papers and you'll have the ultimate home or office organizer.
How about a Family Portrait Frame?
Can you imagine using your old kitchen cabinet doors to make classy portrait frames? A simple web search will reveal how others have done this amazingly well. For the ultimate preservation of memories, consider using your cabinet door portrait frame to house a picture of your old kitchen. That's right, a picture of your old cabinet doors on one of your old cabinet doors!
Share Your Treasures
Have other ideas? Get creative! Perhaps a lean two or dog house for your dog? Since dogs love spending time trying to get into their owners' kitchen cabinets, they should feel right at home in a structure made mostly of kitchen cabinet doors. Perhaps your kids or grandkids will want to build a fort in the backyard. Do kids still build forts these days?
We would love to post pictures of your crafts and innovations. If you have made anything interesting with your old kitchen cabinet doors please let us know.
When I lived in an apartment by myself I never used the dishwasher. I would simply wash the dishes in the sink after I used them. Since I lived alone it would take quite a few meals to collect enough dishes to actually make it worthwhile to run the dishwasher. I did entertain some guests from time to time, but I was in the habit of washing their dishes in the sink too.
As time passed I noticed that I had fewer and fewer dishes but I did not know why. Eventually I had so few dishes to eat from I decided to investigate where all my dishes might be going. I would hate to think that any of my guests were dish theives. I didn't even want to entertain a suspect. As I was looking at every possible place throughout the kitchen and the apartment it never occured to me to check the dishwasher because I never used the dishwasher. But one day I thought "why not," and I opened the dishwasher door and discovered the other half of my set of dishes. My guests thought they were being helpful by putting them in the dishwasher for me. I guess they didn't know I never used the dishwasher.
The dishwasher is indeed a common kitchen appliance, but I've found other kitchen accessories much more useful. Perhaps I can live without a dishwasher, but I cannot say the same for a seamless Corian countertop and sink. I'm surprised everyone doesn't have one of these. You cannot tell where the countertop ends and the sink begins. It looks and feels as if it is all one piece. Perhaps this is the way kitchen countertops and sinks were meant to be joined. I'm glad mine are.
How about instant hot water? Few things about a kitchen are more convenient than not having to boil water for tea. It's a beautiful thing to have 190° purified water right on tap. If you are getting a kitchen remodel anyway, consider adding instant hot water to your wish list. You will be able to drink as much tea as you want without labor, and your guests will be impressed too. If you're like me though, make sure your guests don't put their used teacups in the dishwasher. I'd much rather wash them in a seamless Corian sink.
Garbage disposals are nice too. No need to worry about what goes down the drain when you have a garbage disposal. This is all within reason of course. When the kitchen sink starts draining a little too slowly you know it's time to flick the switch to the 'on' position. Suddenly you hear a grinding sound, the water starts to flow down the drain, and all is right with the world once again. Well, all is right with your kitchen anyway. Then just turn off the switch, rinse and repeat.
Finally, I must not go without saying something about Blumotion hinges for kitchen cabinet doors. They work wonders for drawers as well. Blumotion is like magic. No matter how hard you close the doors or drawers in your kitchen you will not hear them. Now, if you are the type that likes to display your anger by slamming your kitchen cabinet doors this product is not for you. With Blumotion hinges, no one will be able to hear that you are angry. On the other hand if you are a light sleeper and someone else in your house is a midnight snacker, then Blumotion hinges for your cabinet doors will be perfect for you. Your housemate will be able to snack without guilt, and you will be able to sleep.
Whew! Whether you are remodeling an existing kitchen or building a brand new one, the options and upgrades process is exhausting. It can deplete even the most gung-ho of interior decorators. But take heart! We are here to help that process go as smoothly and seamlessly (pun intended) as possible.
If you haven't selected your kitchen cabinet colors, check out our blog, Our 5 Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors for tips on where to start. Otherwise, it's time to make decisions about your kitchen cabinet door styles. There are seemingly endless possibilities and this blog can help you narrow them down to 5 of the most popular cabinet door styles.
We've been at this a long time and if there is one thing we have learned it's that certain styles truly stand the test of time. This is helpful for you now, and helpful down the road when it comes to the resale value of your home.
Top 5 Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles
Prestige Square for Wall or Base Cabinets - This cabinet design is a contemporary design that works well with any modern kitchen decorating theme. Whether you've chosen rich tones, or desire clean bright designs, this cabinet style is a desirable option and works well in a kitchen with square and/or geometric patterns.
Vintage Raised Panel Doors - These raised panels make your kitchen cabinets, literally "pop". Your cabinet doors become a part of the decor with the two tone effect of the raised and depressed panels. Keep in mind that these doors may require more labor intensive cleaning if little ones have access to them.
Prestige Cathedral Wall Cabinets With Prestige Square Base Cabinets - These kitchen cabinet door styles combine a high-end look that pairs well with modern or classic kitchen schemes. The arched Cathedral cabinet pattern can add height to a kitchen and Square base cabinet lines mimic the angles of appliances and counter tops.
Prestige Statesman Doors - This selection looks just as it sounds, classic and stately. Whether your decorating flair is ultra modern, or a simple old world look, these cabinets will compliment your taste.
Breckenridge Square Doors - These cabinet doors look wonderful in a country kitchen, or with an elegant contemporary space. It all depends on the colors and finishes you select.
Contact us to schedule your free hour of expert advice and one of our experienced representatives will come out to your home to help you choose the best cabinet door style for your kitchen. If you are not ready to speak to someone yet, download our free offer below for additional tips on how to plan a successful kitchen remodeling.
Why did we title today's article Luck Happens in a Kitchen Magic Kitchen? After all when we think of the hard work and experience that is virtually synonymous with Kitchen Magic and its customers, there does not seem to be any room left for luck.
But when we say Luck Happens we are talking about a very different kind of experience. We are describing the time in life when everything starts to come together, a day when the fruits of your labors are so incredibly rewarding you feel as if you are the luckiest person on Earth!
Imagine exchanging some of the rewards of your many efforts for the effortlessness that comes with a contemporary kitchen lined with kitchen cabinets fully customized to your specific needs! Consider the contrast between scrubbing an old laminate countertop, which never seems to get quite clean enough, with that simple swipe of a paper towel necessary to preserve your new Corian® or quartz surface. Ponder the power and efficiency that comes with having all of your kitchen cabinet doors and drawers arranged precisely where you need them. Suppose all of this is within a price range you can afford!
The result of the many years experience our draftsmen, cabinet makers and installers bring to Kitchen Magic is that quality workmanship is second nature to our people. Their competency and depth of skill may even make it look like they perform their duties effortlessly. In fact, one may even say Luck Happens right here at Kitchen Magic! Yet it is the type of luck one experiences only after a lifetime of practice.
After your many long hours of labor consider rewarding yourself with a beautiful contemporary kitchen by Kitchen Magic! We feel lucky to have had the opportunity to labor on behalf of our customers for more than 30 years. Once we design your kitchen the way that you believe works best, we think you will come to know why we say Luck Happens in a Kitchen Magic Kitchen!
Call us today at 1-855-573-3223 or schedule an appointment online for a FREE hour of Expert Advice on how you can make Luck Happen in your kitchen.
Since Kitchen Magic has such a wide reputation for quality cabinet refacing, many are surprised to learn that we specialize in new custom cabinets as well. For those cases where refacing may not be a suitable option for all of your remodeling needs, Kitchen Magic's custom kitchen cabinets will add beauty and functionality to your kitchen for many years to come. And if you prefer to purchase American made products, you will be happy to know that your new kitchen cabinets will be handcrafted at our dedicated manufacturing facility in Nazareth, PA.
And when we talk about custom cabinetry, we mean this very literally. Your new cabinets are custom built for your specific kitchen. In fact, we don't even have a warehouse. This is because all Kitchen Magic kitchens are special built to order. Therefore, you can be assured that we will not attempt to force pre-fabricated cabinets to work with your existing floor plan. The word custom also means that you have hundreds of possible color, style, and door combinations to pick from, thus enabling you to create your own unique culinary space. You will be in complete control of your kitchen's design right from the beginning.
Your new kitchen cabinets also come with peace of mind. They will be meticulously installed by a certified Kitchen Magic craftsman and furnished with a Lifetime of Home Ownership Warranty. Your new kitchen cabinets will feature ¾" maple plywood end panels, ¾" maple top and bottom panels, and a ½" continuous maple plywood back panel. They also include 3-way adjustable internal hinges, smooth action, self-closing, concealed undermount stainless steel drawer suspension, and once the work is complete, we leave you with a complementary Kitchen Magic gnome.
Kitchen Magic has been in the business of satisfying customers like you since 1979. We provide cabinet refacing, new kitchen cabinets, luxury kitchen countertops, backsplashes and other aspects of kitchen remodeling to most of the Northeast.