What to look for when choosing kitchen cabinets
Storage ideas
Your cabinets are arguably the most important feature in your kitchen–as the focal point, they’re the first thing your eye is drawn to when you walk into the room. So, it's extremely important that when it comes to updating your cabinets, you choose the perfect ones.
Kitchens are built to last, so the task is to find cabinets that you’ll be happy with for years to come; making them one of the most important interior design decisions you can make. Here, we’ll take a look at everything you should consider when choosing your perfect kitchen cabinets.
Choose your material
One of the first things you’ll need to consider when selecting your kitchen cabinets, is which material you want. Whilst wood is the most popular type, there are several variations to pick from, with each type having its own set of benefits.
Hardwood
Extremely popular, hardwood is highly durable and easily repairable, which means it lasts for a long time. Because hardwood is naturally harvested from trees, each panel can vary slightly in colour and grain, which only adds to the rustic appeal of them.
Plywood
Created by laminating pieces of wood one on top of the other, plywood kitchen cabinets are extremely hardwearing, and – unlike hardboard – are good at resisting moisture. Plywood cabinets are easy to repair should any damage be caused to them; and they're cheaper than their hardwood counterparts, making them a highly desirable choice.
Particleboard
Made from recycled materials including sawmill shavings and wood chips, particleboard cabinets are a more affordable option than hardwood and plywood. However, you need to ensure that you only choose a high-quality particleboard, as the lower quality types aren’t very durable.
Laminate
One of the few alternatives to wood, laminate is made of three layers to create a durable material that’s typically used for cabinet doors (the interior shelves aren’t made of laminate). Laminate cabinets are cheaper, but not as durable as wood alternatives, but aesthetically, they suit modern kitchens, and come in a range of colours.
Choose your doors
Once you’ve chosen your cabinet material, it’s time to select your door types. If you prefer the sleek and sophisticated look, the flat laminate cabinet doors are the way to go; elevating your kitchen to the next level. You can choose from a high-shine gloss or subtle matt.
If you’ve opted for wooden kitchen cabinets, then the popular Shaker design, known for its elegance and simplicity, could be right for you. Recessed door panels provide a sleek look, whereas raised panels look particularly good in traditional and country kitchens.
Alternatively, if you’d like to proudly put your pots and pans on display, you could opt for transparent glass doors in your top cabinets.
Choose your colour
The next step when choosing your kitchen cabinets, is deciding which colour you're going to go for, and this will likely depend on your current colour scheme. If you want to keep it simple and classic, then black, white or grey cabinets are an ideal option, and will enable you to incorporate pops of colour through your kitchen accessories or a feature wall.
However, coloured kitchen cabinets can really elevate your space, adding an element of fun into your room. Pastel blues, greys, pinks and lilacs – like our Milano Contour Ermine kitchen in jelly bean, or rose matt – will really soften up your space; whereas forest green, deep purple or burgundy cabinets will transform your kitchen into a sophisticated and dramatic space perfect for entertaining.
Adding coloured cabinets to your kitchen is easy, and you could even embrace the two-tone trend. Simply opt for darker base cabinets and lighter ones on top, to make your kitchen feel light and spacious.
If you like the idea of buying coloured cabinets but don’t want to take the plunge, then why not install a kitchen island with coloured cabinet doors, and opt for a muted tone for the rest?
Consider your storage options
You can never have too much storage space in the kitchen! It’s hugely important – after all, you need to safely stow away all of your dishes, cutlery, appliances... and your food, of course!
When you buy kitchen cabinets, consider investing in some magic corner cabinets, as they essentially double your cupboard space, and are a great place for storing bulky items like pots and pans.
If you love the idea of a kitchen larder but don’t have the space, then a pull-out cabinet organiser could be the perfect storage solution, with the door racks holding all the tins and jars you could possibly need.
You could even consider installing a dish drawer; which is deep and durable enough to hold the heaviest of plates, whilst making them easily accessible when cooking.
The finishing touches
Once you’ve chosen your cabinet material, door style, colour and storage options, the only thing left to consider are the finishing touches, that are designed to make your life that bit easier!
You’ll need to choose your kitchen door handles: will you opt for bow, cup or knob – or handleless? You might want to consider quietly closing doors, so you’ll never have to hear a cabinet slam shut again; or child-safety locks if you have little ones.
Now you know what to look for in kitchen cabinets, it’s time to start searching for them! For more kitchen inspiration, try our online kitchen planner, or book an appointment to visit your nearest Wren showroom.