Kitchen Doors Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing new kitchen doors, there are a lot of options to consider. The style, colour, finish and decorative touches you select can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen. In this buying guide, we'll walk through two of the most popular kitchen door styles - shaker and slab - along with tips on choosing finishes and colours to suit your taste.
What style of door suits your kitchen?
The doors you choose can make all the difference in the look and feel of your kitchen. Whatever your personal taste, select doors that complement your overall kitchen design for a harmonious finish. The style you choose should align with the aesthetic you wish to achieve.
Slab
Slab kitchen doors, as the name suggests, feature a simple slab or flat panel design. They have a continuous flat surface rather than a centre panel and frame. The sleek, minimalist look makes them a popular choice for contemporary kitchens.
- Seamless, modern look complements contemporary kitchens
- Elevated minimalism from a continuous flat surface
- Foils and laminates allow for realistic woodgrain finishes
- Durable construction that's resistant to warping
- Easy to clean smooth surface
Shaker
Shaker-style kitchen doors are a contemporary classic. They feature a simple, clean design with a square centre panel and flat frame. The straight lines and minimalist look give a trendy yet timeless feel.
- Classic, versatile look suits a range of kitchen designs
- Straight lines create a sense of order and simplicity
- Numerous colour and finish options for customisation
- Durable build quality from solid wood and wood veneers
- Glass inserts allow for open, airy aesthetic
What colours are available?
Choosing the right colour for your kitchen doors can make all the difference in creating your desired atmosphere. Neutral tones like white and cream have an airy, spacious feel that allows other elements to shine. Statement shades of red or black make a bold impact for dramatic effect. For a natural vibe, textured timber doors in oak or walnut add organic warmth. If you'd like to fully personalise, opt for paintable doors that can be coated in your custom colour palette. Consider how the hue will pair with your cabinets, floors and decor. The right kitchen door colour can accentuate features or set the mood. So take time to select a shade that enhances your overall vision.
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What finishing options are available?
When selecting a finish for your kitchen doors, consider the look you want to achieve along with practical factors like staining and maintenance. Here are some of the most popular options:
Gloss
Gloss kitchen doors have a shiny, reflective surface that creates a bold statement. They have a luxurious, expensive look that pairs beautifully with other materials like granite, glass and chrome. They're also the most sanitary option, as the high-gloss finish just needs a quick wipe to clean up spills and splatters.
Matt
Prefer a more understated style? Matt kitchen doors have a smooth, silky finish devoid of any shine. This muted look gives a sense of sophistication and allows accompanying hardware, worktops and flooring to stand out. Matt finishes disguise fingerprints well but requires a bit more care to keep looking pristine.
Wood Effect
Opting for a natural woodgrain look adds warmth and texture. Doors can be finished with real wood veneers made from oak, maple or walnut. For more consistency, foil and laminate finishes effectively emulate the look of wood at a lower cost. They're durable and easy to clean.
Painted
A painted kitchen creates a fresh, modern look. Options like gloss, matt and satin offer different aesthetic styles. Gloss has a sleek, reflective surface, while matt finishes have more of a muted, subtle effect. Satin provides a soft in-between sheen. Painted finishes are easy to wipe clean but more prone to chipping and staining than foils or laminates.
Finishing options
Little decorative details can make a big impact on your kitchen's style. Here are some ways to make your doors stand out:
- Contrasting colours - Use one colour on upper cabinets and another on lowers
- Crown moulding - Add architectural detail along the tops of cabinets
- Inlays - Integrate contrasting wood inlays into cabinet door centres
- Glass - Install glass fronts on select uppers for open display space
- Knobs and handles - Pick eye-catching hardware like black wrought iron or hammered copper
- Pot racks - Incorporate wall-mounted pot racks to free up cabinet space
By selecting the right combination of door style, colour, finish and decorative details you can achieve exactly the look, functionality and wow-factor you want for your kitchen. Take your time considering the options and what will work best for your space. The doors you choose now will set the tone for your kitchen design over years to come.
