The first thing most people notice when entering a kitchen is the cabinets. The best kitchen cabinets are not just practical–they look good as well. When looking at kitchen model ideas in magazines, the Internet, or friends’ houses, look at a kitchen cabinet style that is both utilitarian and that fits your kitchen style.

Kitchen Cabinet Materials

Kitchen cabinets are made from either wood, steel, or laminate.

• Laminate is the cheapest option, and comes in many colors, but it chips easily and cannot be easily repaired.
• Steel is the most durable, though fingerprints and scratches tend to show up more easily, and steel tends to go only with a more modern kitchen style.
• Wood offers versatility in cabinet style and strength, though wood may warp depending on the humidity in the kitchen and the quality of the wood.

Choosing the Best Kitchen Cabinet

Cabinets usually are about half the expense of any kitchen remodel. If money is tight, then you may want to look into stock cabinets. They come in fewer styles and design options, but are relatively inexpensive. A step up would be the semi-custom kitchen cabinet, which comes in more colors and with more extras, though they come only in standard sizes.

Custom cabinets come at a higher price, but you can make them fit your kitchen style exactly. Your imagination is the only thing that will limit and if money is no object, these are the best kitchen cabinet styles you can put in your kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinet Doors

There are three main types of doors for your cabinets:

• Raised panel door: These doors have a wood frame, which may be decorated, glued over the top of the door and fit best with an elegant and formal kitchen style.
• Recessed panel door: With this kitchen cabinet style, the door has a fitted style behind the frame portion, reflecting a country style.
• Slab door: These single, smooth cabinet doors create an uncluttered kitchen style.

Types of Wood

As most cabinets are made from wood, your kitchen remodel ideas should include what kind of wood to use for your kitchen cabinet. Here are a few to choose from:

• Birch: The least expensive option and the material most used in stock cabinets.
• Cherry wood: Used in upscale kitchen designs, this elegant wood offers a very smooth and uniform grain.
• Ebony: This expensive wood with noticeable evident black grain can create an exotic look.
• Hickory: Hard wood with a pronounced grain used in country kitchens.
• Oak: Durable and stands up to humidity better than most other woods, this is a popular choice.

Painting and Refinishing

Sometimes you can simply paint or refinish your cabinets to create a whole new kitchen style. Changing the color array of your kitchen can make for a whole new ambiance. Refinishing wooden cabinets that have lost their luster is certainly the least expensive method to refresh your kitchen’s look.