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Kitchen Style Guide

Although any good quality cabinet will get the job of storing your wares done, not every cabinet will be perfect in your individual space. Browse by design and find something that suits your taste for your home.

Kitchen Roomscenes by Design

• Arts & Crafts

• Contemporary

• French Country

• American Country

• Traditional

• Southwest

Kitchen Cabinets Styles

When it comes to kitchen cabinetry, there’s no question that efficiency and functionality are of the essence.

Whether you’re building the cabinets yourself or hiring a professional to complete the job, understanding your options and making an informed decision about the construction of your cabinetry will enable you to be satisfied with both the look and feel of your cabinetry. The first question that you need to ask yourself is whether you want face-frame cabinets or frameless cabinetry.

Generally suited to antique, country or traditional kitchen designs, framed or face-frame cabinets are built by joining two components- the cabinet box and the cabinet frame. The frame, which is applied to the outside of the cabinet box, is generally composed of a hardwood material, while the cabinet box is usually built from thinner materials, such as plywood or particleboard. The sturdy cabinet frame adds strength to the cabinets and offers a strong base upon which to attach the cabinet hinges. Cabinet doors are applied to the cabinet frame, usually with offset hinges. Because of the strength inherent in the construction of face-frame cabinetry, face-frame cabinets generally do not have a top or back panel. Likewise, because of their strength, face-frame cabinets, which constitute about two-thirds of American cabinetry, are generally easier to install than frameless cabinets.

Frameless cabinets, the more popular option in the construction of European cabinetry, look very similar to a box. Because there is no front cabinet frame, the doors on frameless cabinetry are attached directly to the sides of the cabinet, which creates unobstructed access to the interior of the cabinet. Whereas framed cabinets are joined together through their frames, frameless cabinets are attached to each other through their side panels. Generally speaking, frameless cabinets offer greater storage capacity because they do not require extra space for hardwood cabinet frames. Nevertheless, frameless cabinetry often costs 15-20% more than face-frame cabinetry, and often require a higher level of skill to install because they are more delicate than framed cabinets. Frameless cabinetry offers a clean, contemporary look and is a popular choice in kitchens with a modern flair.

Once you have chosen your cabinet construction, you can begin to consider your cabinet wood options. When purchasing stock or semi-custom cabinets, the manufacturer will present you with a pre-selected menu of woods and stains from which to choose from. Although the color of the stain will determine how dark or light your cabinetry will be, your choice of wood is equally important, because the wood’s natural grains and characteristics will be apparent through the stain. Consider whether you want your kitchen to feature dark cabinetry or light cabinetry, and choose your wood and stain options accordingly.

Dark Woods

Dark colored woods, which range in appearance from medium-brown to almost-black, are generally used to create a luxurious or dramatic affect in your space. Some popular options of dark wood include butternut, mahogany, rosewood, teak and walnut.

Medium Woods

Medium colored woods, which generally have a light brown, mild reddish or tan hue, add a lively touch to both traditional and modern kitchens. Cherry and beech woods are the most popular choices of medium color wood cabinets, but a medium color wood can also be achieved by staining a lighter color wood with a darker stain. Medium color woods are perfect for warming up any room without overpowering it.

Light Woods

As their name suggests, light colored wood cabinets are perfect for lightening up a dark space or making a small space seem larger. Light cabinetry is an ideal choice for those seeking a modern look. To bring out the natural variance of your wood, choose a light stain that will allow the grains to show through. Or, for a slightly more opulent look, consider a darker stain that will add a regal feel while retaining the wood’s subtle hue. Among the most common choices of light wood are ash, birch, maple, oak, pine and poplar.

Stains

In most cases, the color that your cabinetry appears is not the color of the actual wood, but the color of the wood coated with a stain. Lighter stains allow the inherent color and variance of the wood to show through in a way that reveals the wood’s natural charm, while darker stains can provide lighter cabinets with a more lavish finish. Applying the right stain on certain types of light woods can enable homeowners to get the look of a more expensive wood without paying for it. Staining should also be considered as a viable option for those looking to update the look of their kitchen or bathroom without paying for entirely new cabinetry.