When it comes to home remodeling, few rooms get as much attention as the kitchen. From updating appliances to replacing countertops, there’s a lot to change about a kitchen space.
Today we’re going to focus on the trending materials used for kitchen cabinets, which include classic choices as well as some new ones. Getting a basic understanding of these options before meeting with a representative from Gilmans Kitchens & Baths, or any other installer, will help homeowners come to a more confident decision on what materials to use. So without further ado, let’s roll up our sleeves and take a look:
Bamboo
Very strong, highly durable, and pleasant to look at, bamboo wood is gaining momentum as a top choice for kitchen cabinets. Either cut and laminated or pulped and compressed, bamboo wood for cabinets have a naturally blonde coloring that breaks away from the traditionally dark-shaded wood cabinet styles dominating kitchen design. With that said, staining bamboo a darker color is possible and the results look great. So what’s the downside to using bamboo for kitchen cabinets? They tend to be priced higher than competing options, but opting for a veneer of bamboo on exposed surfaces with less expensive wood underneath.
Oak
Choosing oak cabinets has been a top trend for kitchen remodeling for decades. Oak is a timeless option for several reasons. It’s strong, durable, and reasonably priced. What’s more, oak can be stained to achieve a more distinct look for your kitchen. The result is a wide variety of design options for homeowners to choose from in their attempt to have the perfect kitchen. The only downside to oak is its enduring popularity, which can be a turn-off to those in the market for something more unique. A victim of its own success!
Maple
This choice is popular due primarily to the aesthetics of the wood itself. Soft maple has a very elegant wood grain featuring a variety of desirable traits including fine lines, beautiful whirls, and a spattering of black specks. The surface is incredibly smooth and silky, almost to the point where you’re scared to touch it with dirty hands. This might make maple an unappealing choice for busy family kitchens, but the truth is soft maple can stand up to more wear and tear than you probably think. This is especially true when protected.
Painted
Opting to paint your kitchen cabinets is becoming more popular in recent years due to a growing desire to colorize the kitchen. Many homeowners are sick of the sterile and clinical look of most standard kitchen design and want to enrich it with bright hues. The cabinets are one of the most visible and eye-catching elements of the kitchen, prompting homeowners to want to paint them. The benefit of this option is it enables homeowners to save money on the materials since they’re being painted over. With that said, it’s important to still choose wood which is strong and durable.
Alternative
Wood is not your only choice when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Alternatives to wood such as acrylics, plastic veneers, wired gloss, and textured foils are popular with homeowners who want a sleeker and more modern-looking kitchen. Installers of wood cabinetry are happy to assist in the installation of these and other alternative materials. The color, texture, and shape options are almost endless with alternatives to wood, making this a trend likely to keep growing in popularity in the years to come.
Remodeling your kitchen is something just about every homeowner dreams of doing at some point. One of the most popular items on the agenda is the replacement of existing cabinetry. Luckily there are many options to choose from when it comes to deciding what to put there now. The hard part will be picking one!
I love the idea of using a unique wood like bamboo for the kitchen cabinets! The natural blonde coloring could look really cool with the right paint color and backsplash. My husband and I have been considering changing up the look in our kitchen so we’ll have to look at some more cabinet trends to make sure we find what we want.