Open and Shut Case: Choosing the Right Kitchen Cupboard Doors
Our experts discuss the options to help you choose the ideal cupboard doors for your kitchen
Renovating or installing a kitchen is one of the most exciting home projects. Of all kitchen surfaces, cupboard doors shoulder a large share of tough treatment, opened and closed many times a day, and in the firing line for being bumped, kicked, splashed and spattered. Choosing doors to handle the pace is a big step, for your budget as well as the look and longevity of your kitchen. Refine your ideas by answering three important questions, and see what our experts have to say.
Professional advice from:
Andrew Dee, Wonderful Kitchens
Brett Patterson, The Kitchen Broker
Dominique McAdam, Provincial Kitchens
Nathan Wundersitz, SpaceCraft Joinery
Professional advice from:
Andrew Dee, Wonderful Kitchens
Brett Patterson, The Kitchen Broker
Dominique McAdam, Provincial Kitchens
Nathan Wundersitz, SpaceCraft Joinery
2. What’s your home style?
When we enter a room, it’s the vertical surfaces we see first. Cabinet doors take up a considerable proportion of these surfaces, and are the feature most likely to influence the look and feel of a kitchen space.
Consider this: Study your existing decor and how the kitchen will coordinate with it. In an open plan with the kitchen front and centre, an aesthetic connection with adjoining spaces creates the easy flow that makes open plan so suitable for modern lifestyles. In a self-contained kitchen, this is less of a consideration.
Read more about kitchen styles
When we enter a room, it’s the vertical surfaces we see first. Cabinet doors take up a considerable proportion of these surfaces, and are the feature most likely to influence the look and feel of a kitchen space.
Consider this: Study your existing decor and how the kitchen will coordinate with it. In an open plan with the kitchen front and centre, an aesthetic connection with adjoining spaces creates the easy flow that makes open plan so suitable for modern lifestyles. In a self-contained kitchen, this is less of a consideration.
Read more about kitchen styles
3. How much do you want to spend?
Cabinetry can consume up to half of a kitchen budget, with doors a significant factor, especially in a large kitchen. Get a handle on the total budget and decide where you’ll splurge and where you’ll save. You may prefer to put dollars into other elements like benchtops or top-of-the-line appliances, and economise on doors.
Consider this: If you live in a house that you don’t see as long-term or permanent, pause before you go for broke on the kitchen. Perhaps you’re a first home buyer, your house is an investment, or it’s likely you’ll outgrow your present home. It may be financially sound to choose an in-between solution that balances cost with practicality and style.
Cabinetry can consume up to half of a kitchen budget, with doors a significant factor, especially in a large kitchen. Get a handle on the total budget and decide where you’ll splurge and where you’ll save. You may prefer to put dollars into other elements like benchtops or top-of-the-line appliances, and economise on doors.
Consider this: If you live in a house that you don’t see as long-term or permanent, pause before you go for broke on the kitchen. Perhaps you’re a first home buyer, your house is an investment, or it’s likely you’ll outgrow your present home. It may be financially sound to choose an in-between solution that balances cost with practicality and style.
Styles
There are literally hundreds of styles when it comes to kitchen design. Andrew Dee from Wonderful Kitchens breaks them into three broad groups.
1. Contemporary: This covers flat panel doors with a handle or pull, or handleless with a shark-nosed bevelled edge or a cut-out finger hole. These are understated and streamlined, and a popular choice for modern kitchens.
There are literally hundreds of styles when it comes to kitchen design. Andrew Dee from Wonderful Kitchens breaks them into three broad groups.
1. Contemporary: This covers flat panel doors with a handle or pull, or handleless with a shark-nosed bevelled edge or a cut-out finger hole. These are understated and streamlined, and a popular choice for modern kitchens.
2. Shaker: These doors have a recessed centre panel with a frame, sometimes with moulding inserted or a V groove for a rustic look. The style falls in the category of a ‘profile’ door and it is a simple, utilitarian and versatile option. Brett Patterson from The Kitchen Broker is a fan of Shaker style, balanced between modern and traditional and adaptable to almost any decor. Dominique McAdam from Provincial Kitchens specialises in a range of profile doors, including hand-painted Shaker with a 60 millimetre timber frame and timber veneer panel.
3. Heritage: Here you have a more ornate profile, with a variety of bolection (raised mouldings) and insertions. This door style is a great choice for more traditional homes, and adds detail to spaces with predominantly plain surfaces.
Style note: There’s no hard-and-fast rule that all doors have to be in the same style. Mix-and-match can be an interesting and eclectic choice.
Style note: There’s no hard-and-fast rule that all doors have to be in the same style. Mix-and-match can be an interesting and eclectic choice.
Materials
Applied surfaces
Applied surfaces
- Melamine is a tough, coloured product applied to particle board or MDF. It’s a popular choice for flat doors and is also available with a rolled edge, and in a variety of matt finishes and textures. It’s inexpensive and ideal for high-use family kitchens.
- Vinyl or vinyl-wrap is a thin vinyl sheet vacuum-sealed onto particle board or MDF. It offers the option of having a raised or inset door profile, and a satin finish minimises visible scratching. It’s a budget option, but not as hardy as some. If cut, it can’t be repaired and may react to heat.
- Laminate is glued to MDF board and edging is applied. Because of the vast range of textured finishes available, it performs well to minimise visible marks. Laminate is a mid-budget option.
- Two-pack is a durable finish, originally used as an automative paint. It has a thick, scratch-resistant surface, tougher than polyurethane. Although it’s hard, it can chip. A satin or semi-gloss finish shows fewer marks. It’s a high-cost option.
Solid timber
“Timber with loads of character can really lift a space and be the focus of a design, especially teamed with white, grey or black cabinetry,” says Nathan Wundersitz from SpaceCraft Joinery. “Although timber stacks up well for durability, ages gracefully and is easy to maintain, it does have drawbacks because grain, texture and pattern are subject to huge variation. It’s a natural product and these factors can’t be guaranteed. Another issue is bowing or warping, they’re difficult to rectify and a potential problem in frameless timber doors.”
McAdam also advises that solid timber isn’t ideal for the Australian climate, as it has a tendency to crack. “Natural finish timber in large areas can look heavy, but combines well with some painted cabinetry to break it up,” she says. Solid timber is rarely used by his clients, Dee says, because of its heavy appearance and cost.
“Timber with loads of character can really lift a space and be the focus of a design, especially teamed with white, grey or black cabinetry,” says Nathan Wundersitz from SpaceCraft Joinery. “Although timber stacks up well for durability, ages gracefully and is easy to maintain, it does have drawbacks because grain, texture and pattern are subject to huge variation. It’s a natural product and these factors can’t be guaranteed. Another issue is bowing or warping, they’re difficult to rectify and a potential problem in frameless timber doors.”
McAdam also advises that solid timber isn’t ideal for the Australian climate, as it has a tendency to crack. “Natural finish timber in large areas can look heavy, but combines well with some painted cabinetry to break it up,” she says. Solid timber is rarely used by his clients, Dee says, because of its heavy appearance and cost.
Timber alternatives
You can still achieve an attractive and hard-working timber look. Manufacturing processes have dramatically improved with synthetic laminates, laser edging and embossing, Dee says. “Real timber veneers are quite expensive, and not as hard-wearing as polyurethane finished timber-grain laminates.” Most clients love the tactile feel of these synthetics, he says, and they are often indistinguishable from a real timber veneer.
You can still achieve an attractive and hard-working timber look. Manufacturing processes have dramatically improved with synthetic laminates, laser edging and embossing, Dee says. “Real timber veneers are quite expensive, and not as hard-wearing as polyurethane finished timber-grain laminates.” Most clients love the tactile feel of these synthetics, he says, and they are often indistinguishable from a real timber veneer.
Glass and metallics
To break up painted timber or timber-look cabinetry, McAdam likes to use timber-framed glass doors and metal mesh. “It adds interest and works well in hand-painted timber kitchens with profile doors,” she says. Patterson agrees that glass display cabinets are a good choice in more traditional kitchens. “Where glass is used in modern kitchens,” he says, “it’s often in a silky modern frosting.”
To break up painted timber or timber-look cabinetry, McAdam likes to use timber-framed glass doors and metal mesh. “It adds interest and works well in hand-painted timber kitchens with profile doors,” she says. Patterson agrees that glass display cabinets are a good choice in more traditional kitchens. “Where glass is used in modern kitchens,” he says, “it’s often in a silky modern frosting.”
Stainless steel
In recent years, elements of professional kitchens have crept into our homes, influenced in part by the proliferation of cooking shows in the media. Stainless steel drew a lot of attention for its industrial look and toughness.
However, our experts say it’s not a frequent client request. As tough as it is, Patterson says “it’s a bit of a nightmare to have looking great in a domestic kitchen because of scratching”. If you still want to use it – and pay for it – and you like the scratched, worn look it develops, give it a streamlined but still welcoming look and break it up with other warmer finishes, he advises. Although she sees stainless steel used as a detail or trim, McAdam says “many find it too reflective and not as homey as timber and painted finishes.”
In recent years, elements of professional kitchens have crept into our homes, influenced in part by the proliferation of cooking shows in the media. Stainless steel drew a lot of attention for its industrial look and toughness.
However, our experts say it’s not a frequent client request. As tough as it is, Patterson says “it’s a bit of a nightmare to have looking great in a domestic kitchen because of scratching”. If you still want to use it – and pay for it – and you like the scratched, worn look it develops, give it a streamlined but still welcoming look and break it up with other warmer finishes, he advises. Although she sees stainless steel used as a detail or trim, McAdam says “many find it too reflective and not as homey as timber and painted finishes.”
Finishes
Finish is pivotal to the whole feel and function of the kitchen. Options are basically high-gloss, semi-gloss or matt. For a detailed look at the properties, pros and cons of these options, click here.
According to our designers, high-gloss finishes are losing their popularity in favour of more satiny ones. Dee likes less reflective finishes for their understated and sophisticated look, and for how they minimise visible marks and fingerprints. Wundersitz says there’s been a definite trend away from gloss to more natural finishes and textures.
Finish is pivotal to the whole feel and function of the kitchen. Options are basically high-gloss, semi-gloss or matt. For a detailed look at the properties, pros and cons of these options, click here.
According to our designers, high-gloss finishes are losing their popularity in favour of more satiny ones. Dee likes less reflective finishes for their understated and sophisticated look, and for how they minimise visible marks and fingerprints. Wundersitz says there’s been a definite trend away from gloss to more natural finishes and textures.
Texture is an aspect of a finish that adds depth and turns a dull one-dimensional space into an appealing and visually comfortable one. “Tactile is the buzz word,” Dee says. “There’s a real trend to mix a variety of finishes, polished surfaces with textured ones.” Mix it up by playing off hard glossy textures against softer natural materials, or matt concrete-look finishes against metallics and glass.
Plain colours with textured timber finishes have impact, says Patterson. “The big movers today in the texture field are laminates. There’s a vast choice, and they can provide a silky fingerprint-proof finish.”
Plain colours with textured timber finishes have impact, says Patterson. “The big movers today in the texture field are laminates. There’s a vast choice, and they can provide a silky fingerprint-proof finish.”
Budget
A modest budget doesn’t mean sacrificing looks and practicality. Mega-stores like Ikea and Bunnings sell well-priced flat-pack kitchens that, when combined with stylish lighting, handles, benchtops, cookware, appliances and accessories, can look a million dollars.
For the budget-conscious, Wundersitz recommends melamine doors, drawer fronts and panels, combined with laminate benchtops. “Lift the space with some special features,” he says. “Consider open box shelving in veneer or two-pack paint colour, timber touches, a groovy tile or colourful bar stools.”
Patterson likes the versatility and cost effectiveness of today’s laminates. “When a tight budget is in play, don’t overlook them,” he says. “They come in high gloss, metallic, mirror, concrete, timber, rustic, and practically any colour.”
A modest budget doesn’t mean sacrificing looks and practicality. Mega-stores like Ikea and Bunnings sell well-priced flat-pack kitchens that, when combined with stylish lighting, handles, benchtops, cookware, appliances and accessories, can look a million dollars.
For the budget-conscious, Wundersitz recommends melamine doors, drawer fronts and panels, combined with laminate benchtops. “Lift the space with some special features,” he says. “Consider open box shelving in veneer or two-pack paint colour, timber touches, a groovy tile or colourful bar stools.”
Patterson likes the versatility and cost effectiveness of today’s laminates. “When a tight budget is in play, don’t overlook them,” he says. “They come in high gloss, metallic, mirror, concrete, timber, rustic, and practically any colour.”
High-end door options include profile doors with frames, insets, raised mouldings and detailing, and specialty paint-finish doors, such as hand-painted, antique wash or two-tone. Two-pack, real timber veneers, sand-blasted and metallic finishes also come with a cost. Wundersitz cautions, “In some cases, a timber veneer can be more expensive than solid timber, as the polishing process is the same as for timber.”
Durability
Stunning looks aside, the bottom line is cabinet doors must perform. McAdam advocates hand-painted timber for endurance. “Chipped paint can be touched up. If it starts to look tired after ten years, you can repaint, change the handles and fill the holes, and get a brand-new kitchen,” she says.
Patterson cites Corian as an almost indestructible material being used for flat panel doors. “It’s not a cheap option,” he says, “but unlike other products, can be curved and moulded, doesn’t hold bacteria, and repairs are easy and seamless. Look for names like Staron, Marblo, Samsung and Himax.”
At the lower end of the market, Patterson says advances in laminate and melamine production process have been refined for more seamless looks, and are a great and affordable choice to take wear and tear in busy family kitchens.
Check out a stunning curved Corian kitchen
Stunning looks aside, the bottom line is cabinet doors must perform. McAdam advocates hand-painted timber for endurance. “Chipped paint can be touched up. If it starts to look tired after ten years, you can repaint, change the handles and fill the holes, and get a brand-new kitchen,” she says.
Patterson cites Corian as an almost indestructible material being used for flat panel doors. “It’s not a cheap option,” he says, “but unlike other products, can be curved and moulded, doesn’t hold bacteria, and repairs are easy and seamless. Look for names like Staron, Marblo, Samsung and Himax.”
At the lower end of the market, Patterson says advances in laminate and melamine production process have been refined for more seamless looks, and are a great and affordable choice to take wear and tear in busy family kitchens.
Check out a stunning curved Corian kitchen
Colours
Monochrome schemes are perceived as safer, and having greater longevity if selling is on the horizon, according to Wundersitz. “You can always inject colour into a space in other ways, like a coloured tile or pendant, or a furniture piece,” he says. McAdam’s clients are becoming braver with colour, but favour muted colour palettes rather than dramatic brights.
See kitchen colour schemes that will stand the test of time
Monochrome schemes are perceived as safer, and having greater longevity if selling is on the horizon, according to Wundersitz. “You can always inject colour into a space in other ways, like a coloured tile or pendant, or a furniture piece,” he says. McAdam’s clients are becoming braver with colour, but favour muted colour palettes rather than dramatic brights.
See kitchen colour schemes that will stand the test of time
For the colour-crazy, there’s a world of choice. “If you aren’t planning on selling anytime soon, you can afford to be brave with colour,” says Wundersitz. If monochrome isn’t your style, check out how to use colour-blocking to liven up your kitchen space. It can be introduced subtly in shade-on-shade cabinet fronts, or boldly with high-impact brights against a dark background.
Eco-Friendliness
Although some clients want to make environmentally responsible choices, many shelve their consciences in favour of less expensive choices. Wundersitz reports that “even those clients who initially want a ‘green kitchen’ end up compromising in the face of the additional costs.” Hoop pine plywood has enjoyed popularity in the past, he says, partly because of its environmental credentials, but more because of the warmth and texture it adds to a space. “Its drawbacks include almost guaranteed eventual bowing and warping, especially in large format panels and door and drawer faces.”
“Believe it or not, it costs a lot more to be environmentally friendly,” McAdam says. However, there are moves within the industry towards using low-VOC paints and zero emission materials.
Although some clients want to make environmentally responsible choices, many shelve their consciences in favour of less expensive choices. Wundersitz reports that “even those clients who initially want a ‘green kitchen’ end up compromising in the face of the additional costs.” Hoop pine plywood has enjoyed popularity in the past, he says, partly because of its environmental credentials, but more because of the warmth and texture it adds to a space. “Its drawbacks include almost guaranteed eventual bowing and warping, especially in large format panels and door and drawer faces.”
“Believe it or not, it costs a lot more to be environmentally friendly,” McAdam says. However, there are moves within the industry towards using low-VOC paints and zero emission materials.
What’s New?
Next-generation acrylic resins are shaking up the kitchen design world. One of these is Fenix NTM (nano-tech matt material), now starting to appear on the Australian market. “This amazing product has a lovely super-opaque soft finish with anti-fingerprint properties and is highly resistant to abrasions – in fact it’s self-healing for light scratching,” says Wundersitz.
Patterson says ultra-thin ceramic and porcelain materials like Laminam, Neolith and Dekton are the new kids on the block. Although these have been mainly used for benchtops and wall cladding, they bring a sleek look, unique natural finishes and stain resistance to cabinet doors.
Tell us
What cupboard doors does your kitchen have? Tell us what you like – or don’t like – about them, in the Comments section.
More
Browse more kitchen photos
Next-generation acrylic resins are shaking up the kitchen design world. One of these is Fenix NTM (nano-tech matt material), now starting to appear on the Australian market. “This amazing product has a lovely super-opaque soft finish with anti-fingerprint properties and is highly resistant to abrasions – in fact it’s self-healing for light scratching,” says Wundersitz.
Patterson says ultra-thin ceramic and porcelain materials like Laminam, Neolith and Dekton are the new kids on the block. Although these have been mainly used for benchtops and wall cladding, they bring a sleek look, unique natural finishes and stain resistance to cabinet doors.
Tell us
What cupboard doors does your kitchen have? Tell us what you like – or don’t like – about them, in the Comments section.
More
Browse more kitchen photos
The level of kitchen activity is probably the most material factor to consider. Some homeowners really mean it when they say the only reason they have a kitchen is because it came with the house.
Consider this: Do you define ‘cooking’ as making tea and toast and microwaving a TV dinner? Or is your kitchen a social hub that takes a hammering from frequent entertaining, high traffic, family meals and multiple cooks? Ascertain the work load of your kitchen – it will help you prioritise the many factors involved in the decision.