Your kitchen cabinets define the whole space, set the overall tone and practicality of the room, and account for a big portion of the renovation budget. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best fit for your home.
Whether you want something traditional like shaker style cabinets, something contemporary like modern flat panel cabinets, or you want to go all out with custom made cabinets, you need to know what each style offers.
Shaker Style Cabinets: Timeless and Versatile
Modern kitchen islands play an increasingly important role in the layout of the home, not just the kitchen. In a typical open plan house, the kitchen island in many ways defines the ground floor plan. As such it’s not surprising that style plays a big part in the design brief for a modern custom kitchen island. Style dictates a lot of the detail — the choice of benchtop material, the cabinetry, the hardware. But style is largely secondary to ensuring that the spatial planning, including the placement and size, are exactly right for the space.
Key Features of Shaker Style Cabinets
- Five-piece door construction with a recessed or flat centre panel
- Can be painted, stained, or finished in two-tone designs
- Works with a wide variety of hardware, from simple knobs to decorative pulls
- Easy to customise for a unique look
- Timeless appeal that won’t go out of style quickly
Who Should Choose Shaker Style Cabinets?
Shaker style cabinets are a great choice if you want a versatile kitchen that won’t go out of style. They allow you to incorporate contemporary elements without making the kitchen feel too modern. Shaker style cabinets are also a good choice if you want to create a kitchen that blends traditional and contemporary touches.
Modern Flat-Panel Cabinets: Clean Lines for Contemporary Homes
Modern flat panel cabinets, also known as slab cabinets, are the minimalist answer to traditional shaker style cabinets. Flat panel cabinets have a clean, simple look that makes them a popular choice for contemporary kitchens. These cabinets have no frame or recessed panels on the doors or drawers. Instead, they use a simple slab of wood or other material for the doors and a flat panel for the drawers.
Modern flat panel cabinets are perfect for contemporary homes. If your home has an open-plan layout with high ceilings and large windows, modern flat panel cabinets can help you achieve a sleek, sophisticated look. This style also works well in conjunction with other contemporary design elements.
Key Features of Modern Flat-Panel Cabinets
- Clean lines and minimalist appeal
- Can be finished in a wide range of materials, including lacquer, polyurethane, timber veneer, and two-pack
- Can use integrated handles or J-pull handles to achieve a contemporary look
- Works well with other contemporary design elements
- Can be finished in two-tone designs
Who Should Choose Modern Flat-Panel Cabinets?
Custom modern kitchen cabinets are the right choice if you want a minimalist kitchen. They can help you achieve a contemporary look without using any other design elements. If you have an open-plan kitchen with high ceilings and large windows, custom modern kitchen cabinets can help you achieve a sleek, sophisticated look.
Getting the size, shape and layout of a kitchen island right can be exceptionally difficult — once these decisions are made, the rest falls nicely into place. From compact solutions for smaller kitchens to larger bespoke islands with seating, integrated appliances and waterfall edges, we make sure every detail is right.
Get in touch with the Tuska Kitchen team at tuskakitchensjoinery.com.au
Why Fully Custom Cabinets Outperform Standard Options
When people think of custom made kitchen cabinets, they often think of luxury options fit for a mansion. However, custom made kitchen cabinets can be an excellent choice for any home. When it comes to kitchen furniture, it is often the little details that make the biggest difference. With custom made kitchen cabinets, you can get a kitchen that is perfectly suited to your space and your needs.
Flat-pack and semi-custom cabinets are designed to appeal to the average buyer. They can work well in many different types of homes, but they can’t accommodate every need. Custom made kitchen cabinets offer a more tailored approach to kitchen renovation.
Why Custom Made Kitchen Cabinets Are a Better Value
- Custom made kitchen cabinets can be tailored to your specific needs
- Custom cabinets offer a higher level of quality and workmanship
- Custom cabinets use high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting performance
- Custom cabinets offer a more cohesive look that works well with other design elements
- Custom cabinets offer a higher level of value and performance
The difference between luxury custom kitchen cabinets and budget options is often apparent in the details. Custom cabinets offer a higher level of quality and workmanship, making them more durable and long-lasting. At the same time, custom cabinets can be tailored to your specific needs, offering a more cohesive look that works well with other design elements.
Cabinet Materials and Finishes Compared
The materials and finishes you choose play a significant role in determining the look and feel of your kitchen. They also affect the overall quality and value of your kitchen renovation. Choosing the right materials and finishes can be challenging, especially if you don’t know what to look for. The following guide can help you identify the most common materials and finishes and understand their differences.
Common Cabinet Construction Materials
Material | Durability | Cost | Best For |
Solid timber | Very high | High | Feature panels |
MDF | High | Medium | Painted finishes |
Plywood | Very high | Medium–High | Cabinet boxes |
Particleboard | Moderate | Low–Medium | Budget cabinetry |
Timber veneer | High | Medium–High | Warm aesthetics |
How to Match Cabinet Style to Your Home's Overall Design
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when renovating their kitchens is failing to consider the bigger picture. Many people focus too much on the cabinets and not enough on the overall design of the kitchen. As a result, they end up with a kitchen that looks out of place in their home.
Your kitchen should be a reflection of your home as a whole, not the other way around. When choosing your kitchen cabinets, you need to take the following factors into consideration:
Read Your Home’s Architecture
Before you start looking at kitchen cabinets, take some time to familiarise yourself with the architecture of your home. Does your home have high ceilings and ornate cornices? If so, you should go for a more traditional look that complements those features. Shaker style cabinets kitchen with painted finishes and polished hardware are a good option in this case. On the other hand, if your home has concrete walls and steel windows, you should avoid traditional wooden cabinets.
Think About the Big Picture
When designing your kitchen, you should always think about the bigger picture. If your home has an open-plan layout, you need to think about how your kitchen will fit into the overall design. The colour and material of your cabinets should complement the other elements in the room rather than clashing with them.
Choose Based on Your Long-Term Plans
If you only plan on living in your home for a short period of time, you should avoid making any major changes that you won’t be able to enjoy for long. On the other hand, if you plan on staying in your home for the long term, you should invest in quality cabinets that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. If you’re planning to sell your home in the future, you should consider opting for a more neutral look that will appeal to a wider audience.
Work With an Experienced Designer
An experienced kitchen designer can help you choose the best cabinets for your home. They will be able to offer expert advice and guidance throughout the entire process. The most important thing is to ensure that the cabinets you choose complement the other elements in your kitchen.
FAQ
What is the difference between shaker and flat-panel cabinets?
In most cases, yes. Custom made kitchen cabinets offer a more tailored fit and can accommodate unique storage needs. They also tend to use higher-quality materials and offer a higher level of performance and durability. Over the long term, the value provided by custom cabinets typically far exceeds the initial cost.
Are custom made kitchen cabinets worth the extra cost?
In most cases, yes. Custom made kitchen cabinets offer a more tailored fit and can accommodate unique storage needs. They also tend to use higher-quality materials and offer a higher level of performance and durability. Over the long term, the value provided by custom cabinets typically far exceeds the initial cost.
How long does it take to have custom cabinets made and installed?
The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your design and the availability of your local cabinet maker. In most cases, you should budget between six and 14 weeks for the entire process.
Can I mix shaker and flat-panel cabinets in the same kitchen?
Yes, you can. In fact, mixing cabinet styles can be a great way to add visual interest to your kitchen. You could use flat-panel uppers and shaker style lowers, or the other way around. When mixing cabinet styles, it’s important to ensure that the overall colour scheme and other design elements tie the two styles together.
What finish is most durable for kitchen cabinets?
Two-pack polyurethane is one of the most durable finishes available for kitchen cabinets. It offers excellent resistance to heat and moisture, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like the kitchen. Timber veneer is also a durable option that offers a warm and inviting aesthetic.
Do luxury custom kitchen cabinets add value to a home?
Yes, they do. In fact, luxury custom kitchen cabinets are one of the best ways to improve the value of your home. When it comes to home renovations, kitchens offer one of the highest returns on investment.
What cabinet style is best for a small kitchen?
Flat-panel cabinets are a great option for small kitchens as they create the illusion of more space. Shaker style cabinets can also work well in small kitchens, especially in light colours and with minimal detailing