A kitchen cabinet door can add beauty to any kitchen and certainly the kitchen cabinet design appearance really rests on the quality of the cabinets that you use. It is therefore quite easy to change the look of your kitchen simply by changing the doors on your cabinets.

Therefore a good kitchen cabinet design is very important if you want to get the most storage use out of the storage space you already have available. More importantly when you are designing a new kitchen is should be a goal that you want to achieve with your finished design.

Often kitchen cabinets are made from various types of wood such as Oak, Maple, Pine, Cherry, Hickory, Poplar, Alder and Birch. The woods which are best suited to cabinetry are Cherry, Birch and Maple although the less expensive woods such as Alder and Poplar are good with a glazed finish for creating a more antique look to your kitchen. However if you are looking for cabinets which are hardwearing then you should choose Hickory or Oak and for those of you who have small children then do not choose Pine as it is prone to dents and scratches because it is a softwood.

The doors for kitchen cabinets come in three styles, slab, recessed panel or raised panel and along with this there are many cabinet design styles to choose from also. The more common styles of cabinets used in kitchens today are the Traditional, Country, Shaker or Contemporary look.

Many kitchen cabinets are generally constructed using a combination of the woods stated above as well as having particleboard or plywood using in their construction.

If you would like to have solid wood kitchen cabinets then you will find that these are generally more expensive. Most people tend to go for solid wood and plywood kitchen cabinets which are generally regarded as being stronger and thicker than those made with particleboard (although this is less likely to expand).

When choosing a kitchen cabinet design is it best if you start by defining exactly what style of kitchen you are after. Are you looking to design a kitchen on more traditional lines with raised panel doors and lots of ornate molding or do you want to go with the more rustic look by using knotty pine and simple detailing. So why not carry out a little research and see which style you prefer the most and what is best suited to the budget that you have.

Wood is a great material for kitchen cabinets because it is timeless and doesn’t go out of fashion. Remember those 1970s bright orange kitchens and mushroom or turquoise bathrooms that everybody spends money on ripping out and replacing when they move into a house? Well, you don’t want a kitchen that will go out of fashion in a few years or put off potential buyers when it comes to selling your house, choose wood for long lasting style.

There are companies who make and sell handmade luxury wooden kitchens which are custom designed for your kitchen and your requirements – great for an awkward shaped kitchen. They will also be able to advise you on layout and storage solutions.

Wooden cabinets come in many different woods, colours and stains – there is a huge choice so you won’t be at all limited.

Light coloured woods include pine, birch, maple, oak, alder, beech, chestnut, elm, ash and hickory.

Rich coloured and dark woods include cherry, mahogany, ebony, walnut, rosewood, butternut and teak.

Wood cabinets can be either varnished or stained. A clear varnish allows the natural colour and grain of the wood to show through while protecting the wood. Unfinished pine cabinets look great, but if they are not protected with a varnish or UV protector, they can yellow. Stains do not protect wood, unless they have an added protector, but they colour woods. You can get many different colours and finishes in stains and varnishes. Here are some tips:-

1. For a natural finish, to see the natural colour and grain of the wood, use a clear varnish or a transparent stain.

2. An opaque stain will cover the grain in the wood.

3. Use colour names on cans of stain only as a guide. Purchase tester pots and use on a sample of wood to show the real colour, because woods have different porosity and stains will look different on different woods.

Caring for Wooden Cabinets

Once you have chosen your wooden cabinets, you will need to know how to care for them properly. Solid wood can be affected by temperatures and by the humidity of a kitchen and can warp and crack. Here are some tips on how to care for your wooden cabinets:-

1. Buy cleaning products for wooden cabinets or just use washing up liquid and water. Avoid harsh and abrasive cleaners.

2. Wipe clean with a cloth dampened with a very mild cleaner and dry with a clean, dry cloth.

3. Avoid cleaners containing wax or silicone – Wax can build up on surfaces and silicone can damage the the finish.

4. Take particular care of cabinets near the sink, dishwasher, hob and oven – These cabinets are likely to get wet and dirty. Dry off any splashes and clean stains immediately.

5. Do not hang damp cloths or towels over a cabinet door or leave touching a door. You do not want the wood to absorb any moisture.

6. Use a clean cloth for cleaning, not your general dishcloth which may be dirty.

7. Be careful when you are cleaning the oven. Do not let any oven cleaner or grease come into contact with wooden cabinets.

Accidents can and will happen so follow this advice to prevent permanent damage to your lovely wood cabinets:-

Water splashes or food spillages – Wipe immediately with soap and water or washing up liquid and water. Dry with a clean cloth.

Grease based stains – Use a dampened cloth to clean and then dry. Seek advice from your cabinet maker if the stain remains.

Candle wax or chewing gum – Freeze by using a bag of ice or an ice block. The wax or gum should become brittle and break into pieces. Clean area with mild detergent and dry well with a clean cloth.

Burns and scratches – Seek advice from the cabinet maker. You may be able to sand off the mark and re-stain but it is best to get advice and the cabinet maker may be able to repair the damage.

Dents and holes – Again seek advice from the cabinet maker. The company should be able to repair the damage by filling the hole or dent and re-staining or varnishing.

Remember to treat solid wood kitchen cabinets as carefully as other wooden furniture. The proper care will have them looking good for many years.