In my previous blog, we talked about my favorite cabinet door and drawer styles. In this blog we will explore cabinet finish, construction, and finishing touches. Cabinet is one of the key elements in design of your space and should complement the overall design.

CABINET CONSTRUCTION:

Miter or Butt Joint?

Cabinet door construction is an often overlooked detail that can contribute not only to the aesthetics of the door but also to the longevity. Most cabinet doors are either miter joint or butt joint. Unless a cabinet door is a slab style, five part door construction usually always consists of a 4 panel frame and a center panel. Butt joints, which are joined at a 90 degree angle are the most common type of joint used in cabinetry. This construction style offers a very sturdy frame that resists gapping or movement at the corners. While miter joints connect at more precise 45 degree angles at the corners. The 5 piece door construction method is a little more long lasting than a flat slab door because it is able to better accommodate the expanding and contracting of wood as humidity increases and decreases.

CABINET FINISHES:

A. Veneer

Most cabinets are usually in a veneer finish. What is a veneer? A Veneer is a thin piece of wood cut from a log into sheets of varying thicknesses. Veneer ensures a consistent grain pattern and color. It is then applied to a solid manufactured wood like MDF or plywood core. Veneer is a great way to cut costs while still giving the look of solid wood.

B. Painted or Stained?

Painted Finish

Many people opt for a white painted cabinet finish to brighten and freshen up the space. Don’t rule out color though. A spa blue-green can add a calming element to a master bathroom. Two-tone kitchen cabinets, for example grey uppers and white lowers can add an unexpected yet understated visual contrast to your space. Flat slab-style, free of knots and heavy grain patterns is the easiest to paint. Before choosing to paint your cabinets, you will need to make sure they are made of materials that accept and hold paint well like poplar, veneered plywood or MDF. One common issue I have noticed with cabinet styles containing ornate moldings is that the paint will not stick as well due to the tiny detail work. More ornate patterns will fare better with a stain or clear finish. Lighter colors will show more of the natural wood grain while darker colors will hide the grain but create drama with its rich color.

Stained Finish

Stain is a common and versatile cabinet finish that can range from light to deep dark chocolate brown. It is key that the grain is lined up with all doors and drawers for a seamless cohesive look. So what is the purpose of a stain? Stains are applied to cabinet doors to enhance the natural beauty of the wood and add much-needed color that enhances the overall design. Stain doesn’t always have to be a shade of brown as there are now many popular grey stains to instantly update your kitchen or bathroom.

C. Glass Insert Accent Cabinet 

Glass cabinets can be used as accents to add interest to any kitchen. The transparent glass can be used to display your favorite glassware and china or to visually expand a smaller space. One downside to flat panel cabinets is that they cannot have glass panels due to the fact there is no frame. Shaker style cabinets or other cabinet styles that feature a frame are a better choice for glass. If keeping things neat is a challenge I would either advise against glass or you could opt for a frosted glass panel instead of crystal clear glass.

CABINET FINISHING TOUCH:

Pulls and Knobs

Now that you understand the most versatile cabinet door styles, cabinet construction, and cabinet finishes, it’s time to talk hardware. Hardware adds the finishing touch to pull your kitchen’s final design together. Now it is time to decide whether you would like knobs or pulls, or perhaps you would like to mix and match both knobs and pulls depending on the design. There are many hardware finishes, styles, varying sizes, and colors to choose from. What is the difference between a knob and a pull? A knob is the most basic form of cabinet hardware and it is usually attached to the cabinet door face with a single screw. While pulls are attached to the cabinet with two or more screws. Knobs are usually, round, oval or square in shape but there are also more sculptural styles as well. The most common type of pulls are handle pulls, bar pulls, cup pulls, and finger pulls. Once your designer understand the style of pull or knob you prefer, they can then go in and choose the appropriate finish. An Asian themed bathroom may feature oil rubbed bronze hardware while a more unique or trendy kitchen may feature brushed brass or copper. Flat black is great for modern kitchens and bathrooms. The most versatile finishes are chrome and satin nickel. When in doubt silver toned finishes seem to stand the test of time.

I hope that this answers some of your cabinet questions and helps you as you remodel your kitchen and bathroom. Good luck!

*Featured image credit: Tonka Andjelkovic Design