Are your cabinets starting to look a little outdated? You only have two options to fix them. Either rip them all out and replace them, which can be expensive and time-consuming. You can just choose the new kitchen cabinet finishes. It’s effortless and a lot less expensive.
The color and finish you choose for your cabinets is a reflection of your style. Here are some personal tips to assist you in picking the perfect kitchen cabinet finishes and color.
Go Digital
Online websites and other interior design pages can prove invaluable tools as you start the process of remodeling or building a new kitchen. The same applies to your cabinets, too. Look for images you’re drawn to and note why you like the particular idea.
Chances are, you’ll begin to develop a pattern based on the images you’re selecting. Narrow down your choices in the research phase itself. This way, it’ll be easy to examine the options when you’re ready to visit the design center.
Look at Your Surroundings
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The color of your cabinets sets the tone for your entire kitchen. Would you like your cabinets to blend well with the rest of the room? Or would you prefer them to stand out and make a bold statement?
With hundreds of colors to choose from and even the ability to match paint colors with some brands, you can get just the look you want. If you’re having trouble selecting a color, take your cue from the colors already present in your house.
Consider the lighting in the kitchen. Will you light it naturally, or will you have accent lighting? One-color can vary widely depending on the kind of light it’s seen under. Make sure to test samples in all the different types of lighting your cabinets will encounter.
Explore Kitchen Cabinet Finishes
Presently there are many kitchen cabinet finishes options available out there for you to choose. These include acrylic finish, paint, stains, glazed, laminate, stainless steel finish, and more.
Paint
Painting your cabinets is the easiest, cost-effective way to refinish your cabinets. The paint will give your cabinets an opaque but colored finish. Painting can result in different results on different surfaces. It will have a smooth finish on tight-grain wood cabinets, but on coarser grain, it may look inconsistent.
If you want an overall uniform look, you may glaze your cabinets. Make sure they don’t affect the color. The semi-glazed finish on top of the paint can help you achieve a seamless style that is unique and has an in-depth appeal.
You can also choose from over five thousand colors. Though paint can easily scuff, chip, peel, and won’t last forever, you can easily replace it with just another coat.
Laminates
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High-quality laminates are always going to be made out of a melamine laminate and still have a thick PVC band around the edges. It will always protect the cabinet against any kind of abuse. A great option if you want the durability and the laminate price is to do a textured laminate.
There are two types of laminates, high pressure, and low-pressure laminates. Laminate is highly resistant to scratches and abrasions. They’re low-maintenance and can be easily cleaned by wiping them regularly. They’re cost-effective and budget-friendly too.
If you have a modern, contemporary kitchen design, laminate will blend well. Laminate can take all kinds of wear and tear due to its robust nature. But they can chip easily and hence cannot be updated. They’re available in a wide range of colors and finishes like matte, glossy, wood, ultra high-gloss finishes. And textures like wood, concrete, etc.
Stained Finish
Stained finishes are used on the hardwood to bring out the natural beauty of the wood’s grain and add color. You can spray stain your cabinets or hand wipe them for a rustic appeal in your kitchen.
Stains can range from light to very dark shades. Light stains will allow you to see more of the wood’s natural character, while darker stains hide much of the grain. But it can create richer color and a more dramatic look.
With constant exposure to various external conditions like natural light, chemicals, moisture, the color of your stained cabinets can start to change. This can be noticeable on lighter finish cabinets, unlike the darker finished cabinets.
So if you’re looking to add color without taking away the wood grain’s timeless appeal, this might be the best option for you. This finish will blend well and let your countertop and other statement pieces stand out.
Opaque Kitchen Cabinet Finishes
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Opaques cover over wood’s color completely but give you options beyond natural tones. When using an opaque finish on tighter grain types of wood, you’ll be left with a smooth finish.
On coarse-grained wood like oak, the grain texture will be partially visible under the finish. You typically apply opaques to maple wood due to its uniform appearance and smooth, clean grain.
Glazed Finish
A glaze is typically applied after you’ve laid down the main finish and then wipe it off, allow some color to remain in corners and along edges. This accentuates the architectural lines of the cabinet’s construction.
Glazed appearances can vary based on the application, choice of the surface, and cabinet brand. You can either opt for a standard glaze or brushed glaze finish for your cabinets.
Techniques like sanding the edges, distressing the finish, adding dents or gouges to cabinets can create a worn, lived-in look. You can even add specialty finishes to heighten the effect. Knowing the different kinds of finish options and techniques available opens a world of possibilities that will help you choose the perfect look for your cabinets.