Whether you’re building a new kitchen or remodeling an old one, choosing the right cabinets is important. Aside from serving as a storage space, they’re a great way to bring together your kitchen decor.
Here, we discuss some of the most classic and contemporary kitchen cabinet designs.
Timeless Cabinet Design Ideas for Kitchen Remodeling in 2021
Are you planning to replace your old kitchen cabinets? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch? In either case, choosing the right cabinets is key to your kitchen’s look and functionality.
But, as in beauty and fashion, cabinet trends come and go. And since kitchen renovations are expensive and time-consuming, it’s best to choose a style that will endure.
In this post, we explore eight timeless cabinet design ideas to help inspire your next kitchen construction project.
1. Two-Tone Cabinets
Dual-toned cabinets fit best with modern decor. One of the most popular themes is using a light colour for the upper cabinets and a darker shade for the lower. Light-coloured cabinets make the darker ones stand out and create a visual break. Since the lower cabinets are more likely to accumulate dirt and stains, it becomes easier to clean them if they’re grey or black instead of bright white.
To give the space extra visual dimension, consider using white and sage green cabinets with huge horizontal frames.
2. Open Frame Cabinets
Open frame kitchen cabinets are a great blend of open shelving and traditional cabinets. Glass panels showcase your crockery, fancy jars, and other decorative kitchenware. Traditionally, kitchens had a few of these to display fine china or barware. Today, they’ve become trendy in modern kitchens. Along with proper lighting, using glass creates the illusion of a larger space. It also adds visual interest to the overall cabinet design.
Not all cabinets have to have glass doors; you can strategically choose to have just a few to display some of your more beautiful dinnerware, glassware or other items.
The look of your open frame kitchen cabinet depends on your kitchen’s design and your cabinet hardware.
3. Contemporary Matte Cabinets
Effortlessly chic and sophisticated, matte-finish kitchen cabinets are becoming increasingly popular. Unlike glossy ones which reflect light and make some areas appear darker, they look much more consistent. What’s more, scratches, fingerprints and other imperfections are far less noticeable.
To create a statement look, pair them with mirrored backsplashes and sleek pendant lights.
4. Smart Concealed Cabinets
Whether it’s a large cabinet to hide a fridge or dishwasher, or a countertop storage unit that hides small appliances, smart storage solutions are definitely worth considering. This is achieved through custom storage elements like multi-purpose island units, built-in appliances, pull-out larders, pop-up shelves, integrated wine stores and departmental drawer solutions. A hidden storage station keeps your kitchen clutter-free and creates more space for food prep and family meals.
5. Classic Inset Cabinets
As the name suggests, inset-style cabinets consist of an inset door placed inside the cabinet frame instead of out, as seen in typical cabinet doors. Each door is crafted using precise measurements to ensure the wood sits inside the frame and opens and closes smoothly.
You can easily personalize these storage units with either beaded or non-beaded insets. Beaded inset construction is fitted into the cabinet door itself and provides an exquisite detail with fine craftsmanship.
Although inset cabinets and drawers are one of the most expensive kitchen cabinet designs, their look is classic.
6. Glossy Cabinet Surfaces
Looking for an eye-catching cabinet surface? High-gloss, acrylic cabinets will give your kitchen a sleek, modern look.
Ideal for minimalist and industrial kitchens, this style of cabinet adds a luxurious appeal when it’s complemented by minimal hardware. These glossy cabinets can be customized in a variety of rich colours to match your home decor.
Note: this style trend is relatively high maintenance.
7. Beadboard Cabinets
Made of multiple rows of vertical planks, with ridges or “beads” between each one, beadboard cabinets offer a more unique look than regular cabinetry styles, such as flat cupboards. The beads add texture to the cabinet doors and help create a perfect country farmhouse or cottage style kitchen.
It’s important to note, however, that the cracks and crevasses on beadboard cabinets can be hard to clean. If you have a busy lifestyle and need something easier to maintain, this might not be your best option.
8. Shaker-Style Cabinets
This simple yet attractive cabinet style consists of five pieces of flat panel, creating a frame with four pieces and a single flat centre panel as the fifth.
It’s popular because of the simple and classic look it gives to both traditional and contemporary kitchen designs. The recessed doors fit seamlessly with almost all kitchen styles and go well with all types of backsplashes, countertops and flooring.
Wood species commonly used for Shaker cabinets include cherry, maple, hickory, and quarter-sawn oak.
Home decor trends for 2020 were mainly focused on warmth, personalization and simplicity, with simple and minimalistic styles transitioning into 2021. Others will prefer to create something bolder and more unique. Take inspiration from these cabinet design trends to turn your kitchen into a dream space.