Although a great deal happens in the affluent kitchen, the look and feel of the space is not often defined by what is cooked or stored in the kitchen. Instead, the look and feel of the kitchen is largely decided by the elements that make it up: the countertops and cabinets. In the cabinetry even more than the countertops, an opportunity exists to create a space with a great deal of character and personality. And, importantly for a busy kitchen, an opportunity also exists to create a space that is efficient in both its productivity and its storage.
The Look and Feel
As we have mentioned, the look and feel of the kitchen space is ultimately going to be determined by the stylistic elements within it. There is no element of the kitchen that is more important than the custom kitchen cabinetry. After all, the cabinetry in the kitchen is where almost everything else that is stored in the kitchen will rest. It’s rare for belongings to be out in the open in the kitchen – the cabinets hide everything instead. Therefore, it’s really the cabinets, and not what you belong, that set the stage for the room.
Cabinets come in two major varieties: frameless and face-framed. Frameless construction cabinets are made individually like individual boxes and are situated with a small gap between them. Face-framed cabinets, on the other hand, are set in a wooden frame upon which doors are placed. Face-framed cabinets are considered more common in the United States, while frameless cabinets are characteristic of European style kitchens.
Sizing and finishing for your kitchen cabinets will have a big impact on the overall appearance of the kitchen. After all, the kitchen is the only room in the house that has cabinets extending almost to the ceiling. Therefore the color, material, and style of cabinets that you choose will have a big impact.
Accessories also help to define the style of the kitchen. Intricate knobs are very different than simple ones, and cabinets without knobs at all are also becoming very popular in modern high-end kitchens.
The Layout
When remodeling your kitchen, it’s really important to understand how you use the space now and how you would like to use it after the remodel. What are the aspects of your kitchen that you wish were different? Do you need a little more space between the modern or traditional kitchen island and the sink? Do you wish there was a little more counter space next to the stove? The placement of all of these important elements in the kitchen will help to determine where you place your cabinets and what types of cabinets you install. Do you wish spices were easy to access? A spice drawer in a pullout cabinet may be the way to go. Do you need to be able to reach plates easier? Perhaps lower lying cabinets would be of better help than much taller ones. Understanding the way that you move about the kitchen will help you to make the best choices when picking and placing cabinets.