Everything You Need to Know About Kitchen Cabinets

A well-loved home will have a few dents here and there. There are dents in the door jambs from years of bumps and bangs. There are patches on the kitchen island that are stained, burned, and faded by years of constant use.  And some of the two tone kitchen cabinets doors have lost their handles and don’t close just right anymore.

A well-loved home, and especially the well-used family kitchen, will never remain polished and perfect over the years. But, the good news is, you can always redesign and renovate your space. Imagine your kitchen with a fresh, new look.

Your sink and countertops will sparkle again. Your kitchen cabinets will be clean, spacious, and free of wobbles and creaks. 

Thinking of Redesigning Your Kitchen?

Of course, remodeling your home, especially your kitchen, isn’t a walk in the park. You won’t want to buy new fixtures and appliances on a whim. There are several factors to consider, especially when you need to invest in new kitchen cabinets. Yes, these kitchen cabinets need to match the interior design aesthetic. But they also need to be durable, sturdy, and spacious.

So before you walk through the doors of a warehouse or furniture shop, decide what kind of cabinet you’re looking for.

We can help you with that. We’ll provide everything you need to know about kitchen cabinets before you make your big decision. 

Important Things to Know About Kitchen Cabinets

There is a lot to think about. Our list has everything you’ll need to check into, including the materials, color, and type of design.

Kitchen Cabinet Materials Worth Investing In

A kitchen is never complete without a multitude of cabinets. They store everything from food to pots and pans to dinnerware. Let’s look into the ideal kitchen cabinet materials:

Solid Wood

Natural wood is one of the most common materials used in cabinets. Used for upper and lower cabinets, solid wood cabinets promise durable long-term use. Each wooden shelf inside the cabinet can support considerable weight.

Despite being a common material for an assortment of kitchen fixtures, solid wood provides a distinct appeal. It blends well with the look of either a traditional or a modern contemporary kitchen. This top-notch material is wonderfully versatile. And besides kitchen cabinets, solid wood is also suitable for countertops, kitchen islands, and shelves. It’s the type of material that doesn’t go out of style.

If you go for solid wood, be sure to ask your supplier what type of wood you are buying and how to care for and protect the grain. 

Wooden Veneers

If you want to achieve the traditional look of wooden cabinets without spending too much, invest in wood veneers. Wood veneers are slices or sheets of solid wood that are pasted over the surface. These sheets are then stained according to the desired color combinations.

One reason people prefer veneers is that it is a more sustainable and economical choice. A single sheet of solid wood can produce several sheets of veneers.  Wooden veneers are the smarter choice when you want to save on materials.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is another preferred material for high-grade modern kitchen cabinets. This material may lack color, but it adds a touch of sophistication to your contemporary kitchen. Using this material can provide a pleasing contrast to the non-steel fixtures in your kitchen.

The chief advantage of using steel for your cabinets is the low-maintenance upkeep. Surfaces are easy to keep clean and the material won’t hold on to odors. 

Laminates

Laminates are single sheets of melded layers of plastic resin, tough plastic material, and paper. Many people prefer this material when adding more color and flair to their kitchen design. The paper layer of the laminate is available in many colors and designs.

This type of material is also less prone to damage. High-pressure laminates, in particular, are durable and moisture-resistant. Laminates work well for dish cabinets that sometimes hold moist plates and bowls. With its thin protective plastic layer, cleaning laminate kitchen cabinets is easy. 

Know Different Cabinet Types

Let’s get acquainted with the different types of cabinets made from the above commonly used kitchen cabinet materials:

Modular Kitchen Cabinets

Modular cabinets are pre-made cabinets that fit together to complete a functional kitchen layout. These are easy to assemble with no help from professionals. This type is a crowd favorite among people who love to DIY. And for those who don’t want their kitchen renovation to break the bank as well!

Base Cabinets

Basic cabinetry effectively uses base cabinets as the foundation for countertops and kitchen islands. Base cabinets are more often referred to as the lower cabinets because of their placement. Your interior designer will love these cabinets because of their multi-purpose functionality. These kitchen cabinets provide space to store cookware and other kitchen necessities. They also provide more storage space, even for non-kitchen goods.

Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets are the upper cabinets. Traditional kitchen design dictates that these two pairs of cabinets, the lower and the upper, must be two-toned in color. As cabinets make up most of the kitchen space, the colors of this hardware always set the mood of the entire space.

These upper cabinets attach to the wall and often will not be a factor in renovation or remodeling plans. Instead, they are staples that add to the kitchen’s functionality and aesthetic.

Pantry Cabinets

Pantry cabinets are also referred to as tall cabinets because of their size. As the name suggests, pantry cabinets hold various food items that do not spoil. The vertical orientation of these cabinets provides more space to hold more items inside without becoming cluttered.

Kitchen Design Trends

Apart from knowing the composition of kitchen cabinets and the different cabinetry, it’s also important to become familiar with some popular looks in kitchen design: 

Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets

A two-tone kitchen design is no passing trend. Properly coordinated two-tone kitchen cabinets make it the focal point of the house. 

Find the balance between your light and dark colors in the kitchen. Blue kitchen cabinets can match with the tint of either the floor or walls. Other light color upper cabinets can highlight the accent color of the kitchen island. Darker lower cabinets can also redirect the attention to the white marble countertops.

Smart color combinations of painted cabinetry give the entire room a polished, coordinated look. The balanced contrast of colors, between light and dark, ties it all together.

Color combinations refer not only to the paint of the cabinets but also to the material. Aluminum cabinets allow the look of marble or light color countertops to pop. Darker color solid wood upper cabinets become the focal point of a white kitchen. The perfect color combination of a two-tone kitchen will have found the ideal balance in colors and materials.

Use of Accent Colors and Designs

When you decide to renovate or remodel your kitchen, consider accent colors and designs for your new look. Instead of sticking to just two different tones, break the monotony of the design with pops of color. You can have two-tone cabinets with a mix of dark blue upper cabinets and cream lower cabinets. Complete the look together with a quartz countertop for the kitchen island.

The kitchen island is the focal point. It is at the center and creates clean lines of design that break the continuity of color. A favorite accent design is the use of quartz or marble countertops. It provides a clean and stunning finish.

Another trend includes choosing a distinct set of tiles for the backsplash area. Instead of using light-colored tiles to cover the walls all the way, use darker-colored tiles in that area. The type of tile can differ from the more common tile, as it can be more durable against heat. It improves not only the design but makes your kitchen more functional too.

Adopt an Open Kitchen Layout

Open space kitchen layouts are becoming a trend for kitchen designs. So, what does it mean when choosing your cabinets? The placement of your cabinets directs the overall space of your kitchen. Cabinets serve as the boundary between the kitchen and the other space of the house.

This type of layout paints a more inviting scene for your kitchen. And you’ll have the sense that your total kitchen area is larger than it is. 

The open layout makes the kitchen more functional and space-efficient. Being space-efficient means smart use of your kitchen cabinet layout. 

New Two Tone Kitchen Cabinet Ideas

If you don’t want to replace your old cabinets completely, here are some ideas on how to remodel the old cabinets and pass them off as newly bought kitchen cabinets:

Paint Your Cabinets!

Don’t like the drab colors of your storage space? Paint over them. Take your time in choosing the perfect colors for your dream two-tone kitchen cabinets. Look up ideas on how to paint over your wood cabinets.

If your white kitchen doesn’t fit with the house’s overall aesthetic, go for a modern take, such as a black and white kitchen. Add blue upper cabinets for a pop of color.

Set the Mood

Your two tone kitchen cabinets can set the mood of the entire kitchen. If you want the room to have a rustic, farmhouse look, go all out with wooden fixtures and hardware in your kitchen. Perhaps you want more of a calm feel to your kitchen?  In that case, play with shades of blue, violet, and other dark shades of paint.

The changes brought about by setting the mood and layering over paint can make your kitchen space seem new even without spending much on it. All it takes is proper planning and execution.

Conclusion About Two Tone Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is one of the most used areas inside any household. It’s where you’ll find the most wear and tear in your home, and it’s why the kitchen is a favorite for remodeling.

But, before you take your kitchen apart, be sure to have a remodeling plan. Where will you place the cabinets? Will they all be in the same area, or will you place them around the room to open up more space?

So now that you know everything you need to know about kitchen cabinets, which one do you like the best?