• June 20, 2021

Cabinet design: An open and closed box?

“Home Renovation” – For anxiety-inducing sentences, it falls short of “audit,” “blind date,” and “family reunion.” But it does not have to be like that! The cabinet design is a perfect example. It is also a great place to start the remodeling process. Why? Because it sums up everything exciting about home renovation – exciting options, endless possibilities, and the opportunity to let your creative juices flow in a whole new direction.

Of course, having unlimited options is like having the day off from work due to a snowstorm, only to spend the next 4 hours shoveling. It is not all that it seems. Similarly, the variety of shapes, colors, and sizes available for cabinet design can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to break your cabinet design down into a few manageable steps:

1. Open doors: Your choice of cabinet door style is critical. Not only will it be the highlight of your new space, but it will also help set the tone for the rest of the room. As you embark on this initial stage of cabinet design, you will have three main options to consider:

I. Slab doors: Ideal for a modern kitchen, these doors consist of a single piece of sturdy wood. Its simplicity and clean lines fit seamlessly into an avant-garde design scheme.

ii. Square doors: There’s a reason they’re a popular choice with homeowners. Cabinet design is all about matching the dwelling with the inhabitants, and the square doors allow you to do just that. With a rectangular frame offering the option of a raised or flat panel and a simple or detailed design, they can support any theme, from contemporary to traditional, in the same style.

iii. Arched doors: While similar to square doors, this cabinet design element features a decorative arch built into the top of the panel and frame. Its classic look and attention to detail are the perfect complement to a traditional décor.

2. Finish strong: This is where your cup of creative juices can really spill into your own corner. Cabinet design finishes come in a variety of styles and combinations to reflect your unique tastes.

You may want to highlight the grain of natural wood with a stain that can be light, dark, or somewhere in between. Or maybe you prefer to paint the grain of the wood by selecting from a dizzying variety of colors and shades.

If desired, you can complete it with an attractive polish that adds warmth and class to your cabinet design.

For something unique and full of character, consider a patina finish, where an additional and distressing sanding achieves an antique look for modern cabinets.

3. Open and close: The last step is to choose the knobs and handles for the doors and drawers of your cabinet. Generally made of wood or metal, they can fall anywhere on the spectrum from simple to intricate depending on your preferences and the style you are looking for. To make things really interesting, try combining different styles until you find the perfect match. And sure, maybe this step is just the “icing on the cake”, but let’s be honest. If it was socially acceptable to eat the frosting and leave the rest, who wouldn’t?

So if you’re feeling a bit anxious about the myriad of cabinet design options and you’re not sure where to start, just go step by step. Even if it’s a bit stressful at times, the result is worth it. And unlike the audit, the blind date, or the family reunion, this is an event that is sure to have a happy ending.

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