7 Things to Look for When Choosing Your Kitchen Cabinets

           Ask yourself, where do you go at 3 AM, when you can’t sleep, and you need a pick me up because work is in a couple of hours and you have no energy? The answer is the kitchen of course. Second to the comfort of your bedroom, it’s where you could find happiness at home. It’s where snacks live and it’s the heart of any house. For those who work from home, and we’ve all done that during lockdown  and the peak of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), it’s a place that provided a creative food outlet. The amount of sour dough bread made during lockdown can feed the whole world. That being said, if your kitchen doesn’t meet your needs, or isn’t a comfortable, well-organized space, it’s going to cause an imbalance in your home and you will most likely think twice before trying to make a sandwich. So, let’s dive together into the art of kitchen design and learn how to make it a safe space.

Heart of Home

Since everyone is different, everyone’s needs are different. Your kitchen needs depend on a number of factors, such as: The size of your kitchen area, the style you prefer, and your life style. You need to respect your space and not overcrowd your home because that can have the opposite effect than the one desired. Style is also an important factor, because as we said, the kitchen is the heart of the home and it needs to be homogenous with the rest of the décor or else it would stand out like a sore thumb and no one wants that. And last but most certainly not least, your life style might be the most important factor in the sense that how much time you spend at home determines how much work you should put into your kitchen, how many appliances you will install, how big of a space it should occupy and how much upkeep it needs. If you’re a busy person who doesn’t spend a lot of time at home you should be mindful of convenience when designing your kitchen.

Kitchen Colours and Finishes

 The kitchen is full of details. To the point that it might be a bit overwhelming when trying to choose between the infinite number of options. Between colors of the walls, the floors, cabinets and appliances. To finishes, accessories and technology. Not to mention having to basically study color theory to determine the best palette for your home. One wrong choice can turn a spacious area into a bat cave. So how can you make these decisions and make sure they’re the right ones?

First of all, you should decide on your kitchen cabinets’ color and finish and then base everything else on that foundation, since your cabinetry take up approximately 40% of the visuals of your kitchen. Choose a color and finish that best fits your space, personality and budget.

Choose According to Your Space

Light colors work best in smaller spaces to help make them appear larger but a big cream-colored kitchen with lots of natural light is of course, a dream. When choosing your cabinets’ finish you need to familiarize yourself with the different types and choose according to your needs and desired look.

Painted Wood

You can go with painted cabinets, which can either conceal the wood grain or enhance it, according to your choosing. It gives you a lot of control and a variety of ways to be creative with colors but it is more prone to chipping and showing signs and wear and tear.

Natural Wood

Options number two is natural wood, by simply adding a protective coating over wood, you can have a natural, simple look that will allow you to let your creative imagination fly when choosing accessories, appliances and a backsplash. The downside it that it could be challenging to incorporate natural wood into any design.

Lacquer Cabinets

 Next is Lacquer, which can help your cabinets be grease and stain resistant, and in turn make your life a lot easier when it comes to keeping your kitchen clean. It provides a nice glossy finish that will retain its shine for a long time. This option is great for those who lead busy lives and don’t can’t afford to spend a lot of time cleaning. That being said, it is a bit more expensive due to the need to complete the project elsewhere. Another disadvantage is that it may turn yellow over time.

Acrylic Cabinets

A similar finish that’s comparable to Lacquer is Acrylic, it provides the same shiny, high gloss appearance. Easy to clean and gives a sleek mirror-like look when used. It’s scratch, tarnish, fade, and grease resistance. But it accentuates stains, grime and fingerprints.

Laminates

 Laminates are a durable yet affordable option, you can choose a glossy or a matt laminates’ finish, you only need to make sure to band the edges to avoid chipping over time.

Lastly, for a more vintage look, you can choose a Glazed finish. To make the profile edges of the cabinets are more pronounced which gives a more rustic look. It is quite costly due to the fact that it requires a lot of time, effort and artistry.

Working-Top Material:

Next item on the list is countertops. Which need to complement the cabinets but also shine on their own. A balance that when achieved will provide your kitchen with the visual aesthetic you desire.

Choose According to Your Budget

First, check your budget then choose according to what you can afford. There’s a variety of different materials and finished that can cater to all tastes and differ in price. In order to choose the perfect color for your countertops, try matching it to your flooring first to ensure perfect color coordination, while also keeping the cabinet color in mind.

Keep It Hygienic

If 2020 taught us anything is that proper hygiene can save lives. And the kitchen, If left unmanaged can harper a plethora of bacteria and germs. Luckily, there is a way to avoid that, which is covering your cabinets in protective coating.

Ask About the Cabinet Coating

There are two different types of coating: food safe, and hygienic. You can choose according to your needs. You can’t go wrong with choosing the hygienic coating since regular home kitchens, unlike restaurants, are usually less chaotically. The benefits of using a hygienic protective coating are: keeping your kitchen clean, and prevent mold, dirt, and grime.

Accessories Material

The final touches to your kitchen and what might bring everything together in the most seamless way, is choosing the right accessories. Don’t underestimate the power of a good cabinet handle.

The Power of Accessories

Don’t be afraid to invest in the pricier option to avoid rusting or color changing due to the normal wear and tear that comes with time. You will be touching those handles for years so be smart about what type of material you choose for your kitchen.

In addition to handles, you can also look into smart kitchen solutions to save space and also add a modern touch to your space. Like drilling hangers on the backsplash or is you have a large kitchen you can surely make use of a pasta arm on your stove for easy pot filling.

You can choose between a stainless-steel sink or the increasingly popular fireclay sink. A sink with an integrated workstation is also a great space saving option that includes a removable cutting board, and a strainer.

Smart Solutions

As mentioned before, smart solutions can be a great space and time savers for those who value practicality. Managing to create a nice flow to your kitchen and making use of the space in the smartest way possible can help shorten the time you spent in the kitchen and make your life a lot easier.

The more the Merrier

You can use smart features to destress the cooking process so you would only have to worry about the pot at hand. In the age of smart everything, you can make use of technologically advanced appliances that link to your phone and alert you. Never again will you burn your food. Put that frozen lasagna in the over before you leave for work and have it ready and hot by the time you’re home.

Look into space saving kitchen gadgets like a lazy Susan for example to organize your countertops and make room for more appliances you might need. The options are endless and you don’t have to settle. Technology has blessed us with a wide array of different, energy minimizing gadgets that can help you create a well-oiled environment which will in turn help you spend more time on your priorities.

So, there you have it. A step by step to creating the kitchen of your dreams and achieving the aesthetic you desire. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to creative design and that’s why there are so many options that cater to every personality and it’s up to you to choose what works for you and what fits in your home. Your goal should always be to create a space that brings you peace, serves your needs and nurtures the heart of your home.