Crestwood Cabinetry, Inc.

 Cabinet Design Trends

Varying Sizes and Finishes

When laying out your cabinets, consider varying the heights and depths. This will:
 

• create a unique look
• avoid the "cabinet box after box after box" look that was common years ago
• add dimension to the room

How to Make it Work

• The look has to be symmetrical, so put some thought into the design.
• You need balance, too -- if you have one taller cabinet on one side of the kitchen, put another one in a place that adds balance
• With an L-shaped kitchen, try adding taller cabinets (42 instead of 36?) on the ends and middle (with a corner cabinet).
• Put taller cabinets on each side of a decorative sink
• Instead of having all the cabinets flush, put a deeper (by 3 inches) cabinet in a few key areas.

 
Also consider:

• Taking the doors off of a few cabinets. Use them to display interesting knick knacks or put a curtain rod across the space, add a decorative curtain and let the fabric make a statement.
• Adding some glass to your cabinet doors. The glass adds sophistication, lets more light in and lets you display your fancy glasses and dishes. This also lessens the visual weight in the room. The look is particularly effective if you have cabinets over an island.
• Using a different stain or finish on your island cabinetry. It should blend with the rest, but this will set the island apart.

Design trends in kitchen cabinets: a brief look at what's hot in kitchen design.

The kitchen has evolved into more than just a room of undistinguished storage cabinets and cooking utensils. It has become a key gathering place where people go to eat, drink and be merry. In some respects, it is the most popular spot in the home.


BIG IS BEAUTIFUL

Picture: Kitchen By Crestwood Cabinetry

Shown in: Birch, Raised Panel Door style

The new kitchens continue to be big, open and expansive. The galley kitchen of the '50s has become obsolete in all but a few older homes. Yet, with the increase in size and scale comes new challenges in kitchen cabinet layouts.

Kitchen designers have a number of strategies to fill all the space builders are giving for kitchens. For example, homeowners are requesting double islands, as well as bigger islands, with separate lighting accessories on the ceiling. To fill up the vertical space, another option for designers is to use larger moulding buildups and stacked cabinets. One example would be stacking a 48-inch-tall cabinet with a 12-inch-tall cabinet on top, with mouldings on top of that.

In reaction to the openness of these large kitchens, customers are not using as many wall cabinets as they have traditionally. Instead of a solid bank of cabinets, the design is for a few cabinets to be used as columns or arch supports, as part of the open kitchen concept. Another trend in large kitchens is for cabinets to be used as walls to divide spaces. Pedestal cabinets also are becoming more popular, especially when used as a post for a column or as an architectural element in the room.

TRADITIONAL AT HEARTH

Picture: Wet Bar by Crestwood Cabinetry

Shown in: Birch, Raised Panel Door Style

Although many homeowners prefer mixing and matching styles and colors, as a general trend, the traditional style--with its crown mouldings and architectural details--continues to be preferred. According to a study on consumer preferences by Decora and Kitchen & Bath Design News, dealers rank traditional cabinet styles as the number one choice, followed by transitional, modern or contemporary and retro/-mid-century modern styles.

Modern or contemporary, in a softened form, is also prevalent in many cabinet designs. In evidence at some of the recent design shows, many manufacturers are recycling older, existing door styles and pairing them with newer finishes and options for a contemporary look--not stark, but a stylish, sleek alternative to the Old World styles that continue to be popular.

Another alternative is the application of horizontal grains on the doors and drawers. Although popular for a number of years in

Picture shown above: by Crestwood Cabinetry

Shown in: Painted Maple with Glaze, Recessed Panel Door Style

Common to perhaps all styles of cabinetry is the continued popularity of glazed finishes. One reason for the trend is that glazing often enhances the appearance of color, adding depth and richness to the wood. Helping spur the popularity of glazes is their custom, almost furniture-like appeal, versus a mass-produced finish.

With regards to finish, another trend still going strong is the use of two-toned painted cabinets. Instead of a solid bank of cabinets, consumers are mixing and matching finishes, as well as species, to achieve a more aesthetically appealing, relaxed look that mimics the rest of the home. "Blending finishes, styles and materials gives a vintage feel to this eclectic look," says Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD and director of design for Shenandoah Cabinetry, American Woodmark Corp.

And although white continues to be a popular, neutral color, maples and cherry--particularly those with glazed finishes--continue to rank high. Along with natural oaks, quarter-sawn white oak seems to be a new hot trend. In the past year, more and more cabinet manufacturers prominently featured this species in their showroom displays; not just in a customary Arts-and-Crafts or Mission style setting, but often in an updated, modern style.

For the kitchen, the Decora survey says, colors in warm earth tones, ranging from deep browns to mossy greens, are the hot colors of today, stealing market share from the traditional palettes of deep blues, yellows and bright reds. White on white, or with a color contrast, also is popular in the marketplace.

Options are not only abundant for the decorative outside of cabinets, but also for the inside. New solutions to maximize interior space and functionality continue to be introduced. Particularly popular are pullouts as well as two-tiered drawers, with smaller pullouts behind a single-drawer front.

TRADITIONAL STAYS TRUE

Traditional is considered by many to be the most popular style of kitchen design. This style is characterized by crown mouldings, architectural details, and rich colors, typically in dark or honey tones. The Wood species most commonly associated with this style tends to be oak. Other perennial favorite styles include:

Country: characterized by a rustic, weathered look, oftentimes in earth tones or muted colors. Baskets, bricks and beams may be used in the decorating of the kitchen itself.

Southwestern: think desert--tan and warm orange, with a touch of blue and green in the mix. Terra cotta is usually part of the decorating scheme, along with wood, ceramic tiles and other natural materials.

Victorian: old, dark and Gothic--in a pleasing sort of way. Cabinets tend to be dark wood, with chrome hardware and accents. The kitchen itself also may feature elaborately trimmed mouldings and sconces for lighting, all in very neutral or dark colors.

Modern: constantly changing, this style may be characterized by sleek lines one year, ornate the next. Most recently, the modern look has encompassed stainless steel and two-tone finishes, often in contrasting colors.

Lots fo inspiration can be found by searching the web. The photo shown above is  just a taste  of what helps inspire us.

Lockers tend to be a trend most of us find very useful in our homes. Todays lockers or cubbies are stylish, useful and help keep us organized better. Of course the design options are many, these are just a few to get you inspired!

Good news!

There’s plenty of room to show off you favorite collection.

Better news!

It’s also a way to get large pieces off of your countertop or out of storage.

Best news!

It’s right under your no—oh wait. Actually? It’s right above your cabinets and it’s the perfect spot for creating a bright, personal setting that really warms up your entire kitchen.

Need some help?

Pull up a step-stool and read on. Because this is going to be fun.

It always helps to measure the space from cabinet-top to the ceiling so you know what will fit.

If you have something taller than that space, maybe it can be tilted against the wall. If you have small pieces that will look dwarfed in that space, you have an excuse to go shopping. For trays, serving bowls, chargers, vases and other oversized décor—you’ll find something to fit in perfectly.

Also, stock up on plate easels for all the dishes you want to display.

When designers were asked to decorate above a cabinet, they took the assignment in three different directions—fresh & fruity, beach house natural and tropical color. Even though each look is different, you can see the tricks that work for all three displays:

Cool & Collected:

This is the place for your favorite collection. Is it novelty plates? Antique cookie jars? Mouth-blown glass bottles? Hand-woven baskets? Put it out there. Your collection is the theme for your display. It’s what makes it special. Best of all, you can fill in any gaps with new purchases. Sounding good already, huh?

Pull it all together:

Maybe your theme is a color or material that gets repeated throughout your display. Spots of red unify our tropical vignette. Natural fibers like rattan and wood are repeated in the beach house setting. Or you can arrange garland or ivy along the length of the cabinet top to visually link everything.

Create focal points:

Remember, everything will be viewed from a distance so it’s important to have a few bold, oversized items. (Or do what we did: set a tray on end to create height.) Tall items will draw the eye up and become natural focal points. Then you can set smaller pieces in front for an artful arrangement that avoids looking random or too formal.

Make it easy on yourself: For naturally colorful touches, use silk florals and sculptured fruit instead of fresh. This will keep you from having to climb a step stool every couple of days.

In season:

We know people who change their entire display with each season. But if you have everything just the way you like it, simply add a few things for an instant update. It could be as easy as mixing in a summer garden lantern, then replacing it with a harvest wreath for autumn. And with holiday décor, you can always find pieces to make your display sparkle.

If you live in an older home, chances are you have soffits—filled-in areas between the tops of cabinets and the ceiling. We think this is no excuse to not decorate. In fact, we think you’re in possession of prime display space.

With some wire plate hangers from the hardware store, you can show off a collection of hand-painted plates or blue & white porcelain. Mix in a wall clock or a small, wrought-iron accent piece. Really, the options are wide open here. Look around and you’ll get a few new ideas in no time.

It helps to make a list. (See? You’re making progress already. Lists are the hallmark of any organized person.) Ask yourself:

• What do you want to display? What do you want to hide?

For treasures like memorabilia and favorite books, you’ll want open shelves with lots of display space.

If you have lots of small items—toys, home office and craft supplies, guest towels—you might want a trunk or storage units with lots of drawers. Larger items like serveware or table linens sometimes require the deeper proportions of a cabinet.

And if you need to restore order to a mudroom, entryway or hallway, you may need a storage piece that gives you a mix of open shelves for quick access to keys and phones plus drawers to hide the inevitable clutter.

• Work or play?

Do you need storage for a home office that’s sometimes a guest room? Are you looking for a toy chest that can sit in the living room with adult furniture? Maybe even dining room storage that can look dressed up.  All you have to do is make a note of room colors and décor and we can steer you to what will fit right in.

• Measure your space.

You need to take advantage of every inch available. What will fit in your entryway without blocking the door? Even if you have shelves and you’re looking for all-purpose storage containers, measure shelf length so you’ll know how many you can line up on one shelf.

This is the designer approach: whatever you choose, do several of the same pieces to create a unified, harmonious look.

You’ve seen the classic look—the shelf lined with multiple, identical baskets. But take it in new directions and to a new level.

If one hinged trunk is a good idea, two might be even better—they can double as matching nightstands while storing out-of-season sweaters. Line up three against a wall for storage that serves as extra seating.

Several matching shelving units look more impressive and less random than one. Who ever regrets having more storage space than they need? No one. At least, no one living in the real world.

Every home has them—spots where the traffic is especially heavy or the gravitational pull is extra strong so: clutter happens. Where is it in your home? How can you keep it away?

• Entryway: Maybe it’s as simple as a pedestal table for keys and mail. Maybe a tray for phones, newspapers, with a matching tray on the floor for shoes and totes.
• Bathroom: For countertops, novelty glass jars and even kitchen canister sets are excellent for cotton balls and swabs. Narrow shelves, a 3-drawer unit or a small, multi-tiered table can store towels without taking up much space.
• Bedside: For books, remotes and watches, look for nightstands or accent tables with bottom shelves. Add a carved lidded box to keep it all hidden. Another good option here: a magazine rack.
• Kitchen: One room, so many cookbooks, supplies and gadgets. Don’t even get us started on workspace or family calendars. A neat, unassuming desk with a basket might solve everything. Or, for a really cute catchall, try a scaled-down shelving unit with a few cubby holes.

Think of it. Collecting cool storage pieces could be your new hobby. It’s easy. The fun thing is, once you go in search of stylish, unexpected pieces that can double as storage, you can find them nearly everywhere:

• Vintage—or vintage-like—luggage and trunks
• Hat boxes
• Restaurant supply shelves
• Souvenir trays
• Antique ice boxes
• Reclaimed school lockers
• Retro coolers and ice chests

You’re already thinking of more, aren’t you? Better make a list.