Cabinetry is the heart and soul of a beautiful kitchen. Well-constructed cabinets are warm and inviting and pull the entire kitchen design together. Making the right choice in terms of material, finishes and placement of the cabinets can make a small kitchen appear open and fresh. My advice is to always invest in high end, strong cabinetry that will last the wear and tear of everyday use.
Top 5 kitchen cabinet trends:
1. Natural finishes –
Cherry wood cabinets have been in fashion for the past couple of years. But the trend is now wearing off and moving towards more natural finishes and lesser used woods. There is growing appreciation for natural textures and grains. Exotic woods like alder and earth – friendly bamboo are gaining momentum and the year 2014 will be all about going natural and sustainable. Light colored stains like whites, off-whites and natural finishes will also help your kitchen appear larger and open.
2. Concealed appliances –
Built in cabinets that conceal the appliances are a huge trend slated to peak in 2014. Concealed appliances blend in seamlessly without breaking the visual appeal of the kitchen. Large stainless steel appliances that were once the shining jewel of the kitchen are now being hidden behind the cabinets to make the kitchen appear well balanced and not overpowered by appliances.
3. Ornate Details –
Shaker style cabinets have always been a timeless classic but for 2014 the trend is moving towards more decorative, embellished details on the cabinets that add interest to plain, boring ones. I believe in paying great attention to details and for me an easy way to update simple cabinets is by adding crown moldings and cut – outs. Look out for ornamental details inspired by French country styles.
4. Glass door cabinets with colorful accents –
There is a growing interest in country- style look for kitchen cabinets in 2014. Instead of shutting the cabinets entirely, see through glass-front cabinet doors in white and off-white are gaining momentum. The glass reflects light making the kitchen appear fresh and airy. These are great for displaying your collection of vintage china. To add further interest pops of color are being introduced by simply painting the inside of the cabinet in a cheery color. These bold accents set off by the white exteriors of the cabinets are high on impact and great to match the color scheme of your house.
5. Floor to ceiling cabinets –
Instead of filling the entire kitchen with cabinets and leaving no space to breathe, designers are opting for floor to ceiling cabinets instead. Full height cabinets create adequate storage space improving the aesthetic and balance of the kitchen. These floor to ceiling cabinets can be a mix of drawers and glass doors and can house everything from utensils, small appliances, cook books and linens in the same place. A floor to ceiling cabinet placed against a blank wall makes good use of the otherwise dead space.
