Cherry cabinetry is a go-to favorite for clients who want a warm, inviting kitchen. Darker finishes, however, can be a bit of a hurdle in a smaller kitchen - or one that lacks natural light.
It's All About Balance With Cherry Cabinets
Our Massachusetts clients had a smaller kitchen footprint, so they feared they would have to surrender their affinity for cherry cabinetry. Fortunately, we found a way to give our clients what they want - and we did it with this classic cherry kitchen coupled with creamy quartz countertops. Here's how we did it:
Plain Prestige Cabinets in Cherry
Heavy or ornate wood details can make smaller kitchens look cluttered, and darker cabinetry adds to that feeling. Instead, our clients decided on a Plain Prestige cabinet door, which has simple, solid panels - no raised or recessed accents that add extra detail. Plus, plain cabinet doors are a cinch to clean up - no edges to capture grease and grime. And - as our expert consultant knows - broad, flat panels create the idea of expansive length, rather than shorter segments, another small kitchen design enhancement.
Now, it was time to strike the balance between dark and light. To accomplish this, we installed a Cambria quartz countertop (also a maintenance breeze) in Windemere. The pale, reflective counter top surface magnifies available light and brightens up the room. Of course, the best way to transition contrasting countertops and cabinetry is to install a stunning backsplash that bridges the gap.
We chose one of the darkest shades in the faux-stone countertop pattern - taupe - and matched it with a glass, subway backsplash. Glass tiles create an elegant transition, and their inherent luminescence magnifies available light - brightening the kitchen even further.
Storage Solutions
Customized cabinet storage solutions paved the way for unfettered countertops since small appliances and nik-naks now fit in the cabinets. We also removed any unnecessary upper-cabinets and replaced it with open shelves. These small but mighty changes make the kitchen feel more open and airy.
The moral of this design story: Even small-kitchen owners who love dark finishes can enjoy a rock star dream kitchen with plenty of style.
