Research has shown
that most of us will spend at a total of at least three years of our lives in
the kitchen. Additional research indicates that most of us will spend 92 days
of our lives in the bathroom; and obviously for some, that will be more than
others. Even more interesting is that many adults claim that they use their
bathroom to think, or to get time alone. And we know that the kitchen is often
the central room in the home where families dine together and often congregate
during house parties.
With this much time
spent in the kitchen and bathroom, it is desirable, and quite necessary, to
make these rooms comfortable and inviting. Your cabinetry is likely the first thing you’ll see in either of these
spaces (unless you have a luxurious soaking tub in your bathroom, but that’s a
story for a different time).
What
cabinet styles are hot in 2019?
1.
Dark
colors and pastel hues
are quite the rage in 2019 for cabinetry. And the white cabinets that were just
popular a few years ago are on their way out. As today’s homeowners are looking
to add more personality to their home, color is a great way to add that
customization that can make your space unique. Further, with the opportunity to
tailor your color to what suits you best, it also provides added flexibility in
a complementary countertop. Quartz is a popular material due to its irregular
pattern within the stone, which can add to that personalized look.
2.
Oak
is back. While oak was a
popular cabinetry choice in the 1970s, it decreased in popularity in recent
years as homeowners started using more unique choices such as walnut, maple,
and cherry. But oak has regained acceptance and fame in recent years due to its
texture, natural color, and aspect. Whether your home is traditional,
Victorian, industrial, arts & crafts, contemporary or other, oak offers an
unmatched versatility that is also solid and timeless. Granite countertops
serve as a great counterpart to oak cabinetry due to the wide variety of granite that is available. For those keeping the natural color
of their oak, a rich granite can create a lovely and contemporary look, and for
those seeking a dark cabinetry color, titanium granite is a great choice.
3.
Staggered
height and depth in cabinetry
continues to be a popular choice for those purchasing new homes, and those
looking to remodel outdated kitchens. And, as staggered cabinets can be made of
the material of your choosing and painted or stained to whatever color you are
going for, homeowners get the added benefit of being able to select from a wide
array of countertops that will complement the look.
What
about the cabinet doors?
Now that you know
some of the latest trends in cabinetry itself, what about those cabinet doors?
Here too we have provided some recommendations on the most popular cabinet
doors in kitchens and bathrooms today.
1.
Flat
panel doors remain a popular
choice for those looking to keep a clean and sleek effect. Patterned
countertops are recommended for those wanting a contemporary look with some
added interest. A thick-slab countertop is excellent for a statelier look, and
these taller countertops are generally 3 – 5” thick instead of the standard 2”.
2.
Slab
panel doors are another great
choice for those seeking that contemporary look, and looks stylish when paired
with a concrete countertop in the kitchen. The solid and flat finish of the
door will add a modern look to your kitchen or bathroom.
3.
Raised
panel doors offer a profile or
contour to create more visual interest, and popular wood choices are knotty
alder, cherry, hickory, maple, and of course, oak. These cabinets are built to
withstand the test of time and require potentially less maintenance than many
of their counterparts. Stainless steel and zinc countertops are increasing in
popularity and look great with a raised panel door design, especially when
paired with stainless steel appliances and a lighter wood finish.
4.
Shaker
doors can be less
expensive than raised panel and are usually readily available for DIYers.
However, as the thin background material is not as thick as in other styles,
these cabinets may require maintenance over time, and may offer less decorative
options. That said, the shaker style is a great minimalist and contemporary
look that pairs well with a laminate countertop, especially for those looking
to keep costs down. If budget is not an issue, shaker doors can pair well with
any of the stone countertop options popular today, such as quartz, granite, and
marble.
5.
Mullion
and accent doors are still popular,
though not all homeowners appreciate the use of glass doors in their kitchen,
giving visibility to the dishes hidden behind. While some decide to use the
accent style for all cabinets, it is more common to see this style as a
decorate accent for just one or two cabinets, and is generally used to display
formal ware, striking dinnerware, or other decorate pieces that are not used as
often as day to day dishes. These cabinets are also popular in bathrooms to
boast colorful towels, neatly folded behind the glass. The mullion style is
popular when you are looking to create a division in the window pane, for added
effect. Quartz, granite, and marble all look great with mullion style cabinets
due to the varying designs with the stone.
How
to decide on the best cabinet door style for you
Cabinet door styles
really come down to personal preference, which includes not only look but
budget, and long-term needs. When searching for the right cabinetry and door style for you, consider your budget,
focus on the features, and inspect the constructions of the various options
that are available. If you’re not interested in new cabinetry, it is possible
to revitalize your existing cabinetry by sanding and repainting, adding or
removing hardware, etc. Sometimes, just a minimal change can create a maximum
impact.
