Essential Features to Look for in Kitchen Cabinets
Choosing the right cabinet style and material are important for your Wichita home, but cabinet features also affect their durability and usability. We’ve outlined the kitchen cabinet features to prioritize for quality and functionality. As a Wichita cabinet supplier, Star Lumber often gets questions about which features to look for in kitchen cabinets.
Construction and Quality Features
Cabinet Box Construction
Plywood vs. Particle Board
Plywood and particle board cabinets offer different features and benefits. In general, plywood is made of layers of wood veneer. On the other hand, particle boards are made from wood particles, shavings and other wood products and combined with resin and heat. Out of the two, plywood is the most durable and offers greater strength, holding power and moisture resistance. However, particle board is an excellent choice for budget conscious homeowners who appreciate a wider variety of styles.
Dovetail joints vs. staples/glue:
The way cabinets are constructed determines the durability and cost. Dovetail joints use a traditional interlocking wood pattern for increased strength and craftsmanship. On the other hand, staples and glue offer quicker assembly but are not as durable as dovetail joints. While dovetail joints are some of the highest quality types of construction, staples and glue provide a cost-effective approach to cabinet construction.
Back panel thickness:
The thickness of a cabinet’s back panel is crucial as it prevents the cabinet from twisting or leaning with weight. Additionally, the panel offers moisture protection and adds to the stability of the cabinet box. High quality cabinets often use a plywood back panel at least ⅜ inch thick.
Drawer Features
Soft-close glides:
Quiet, gentle and convenient, soft close hardware adds a touch of luxury and longevity without breaking the bank. These slides use hydraulic dampers to slow the drawer as it closes, preventing drawers from slamming shut.
Full-extension glides:
Get easier access to your storage space with full-extension drawer glides. Roller and ball bearing slides allow drawers to open to the full extent. Great for giving you full access to your drawer, this feature is perfect for homeowners who value convenience.
Dovetail drawer boxes:
Drawers that use dovetail joints are more durable than stapled alternatives. This construction method allows the drawers to withstand heavy loads for years to come. Keep in mind, dovetail drawers will cost more than stapled options because of the craftsmanship required for their construction.
Cabinet Door Features
Soft-close hinges:
Much like soft-close drawer glides, soft close hinges stop cabinet doors from slamming shut. This prevents loud noises, damage from use and adds a little elegance to your kitchen cabinetry.
Hidden hinges:
Hidden or concealed hinges add a minimalist, polished look to kitchen cabinets. These hinges are installed inside the cabinet face frame and are not invisible from the outside, making them perfect for modern aesthetics.
Adjustable hinges:
Adjustable hinges allow owners to adjust cabinet doors vertically or horizontally, and also change their depth. This helps the cabinet doors maintain their functionality as the cabinets begin to settle and naturally shift.
Functional Features for Your Wichita Kitchen
Storage Solutions
Deep drawers vs. cabinets:
Drawers offer better visibility and access for bulkier items, especially when using inserts and dividers. Cabinets, on the other hand, provide versatile storage for a wider range of objects with the help of adjustable shelves. Prioritize drawers for easy access and organization, but choose cabinets for budget-friendly, diverse storage solutions.
Pull-out shelves:
Typically found in semi-custom or custom cabinets, pull-out shelves slowly glide outward, allowing you to easily access items in the back of your cabinets. Base cabinets in particular benefit greatly from pull-out shelves because there’s no need to get down on the floor to see what’s inside.
Lazy Susans:
Lazy Susans use rotating shelves or trays to optimize corner cabinet space and make items easy to access. This eliminates the need to dig through dark, cluttered corner cabinets.
Vertical dividers:
Vertical dividers are perfect for organizing flat items like cookie sheets, cutting boards or baking trays. They’re helpful for maximizing the vertical space in your cabinetry.
Lifestyle Considerations
Durable finishes for high-traffic kitchens:
Finishes can greatly impact the durability of cabinetry. Some of the most popular cabinet finishes are catalyzed conversion varnish, polyurethane, lacquer and melamine. Durable kitchen cabinets are a must for high-traffic kitchens. We recommend choosing a finish that works best with your cabinet material. For example, many finishes will help prevent scratches, chips and fading. However, finishes like catalyzed conversion are primarily used on solid wood cabinetry to help with chemical resistance, expansion and contraction.
Organizational features for small kitchens:
If you have a small kitchen, it’s essential to maximize storage. Features such as pull-out shelves, lazy Susans and vertical dividers help optimize cabinet space. These features help you make use of every inch of space while providing organization and functionality.
Beyond the Basics: Premium Cabinet Features
Specialty drawers and inserts:
Transform your kitchen with the use of specialty drawers and inserts. Options like built-in spice racks, knife blocks and utensil trays simplify organization. Lazy Susans and trash pull-outs optimize your kitchen by helping you make the most out of your cabinet space.
Glass-front doors:
Stylish and visually appealing, glass cabinet doors add both aesthetics and functionality. Glass panels add an airy, open feel to your kitchen’s atmosphere. They also help showcase decorative items, adding a personal touch to your kitchen.
Under-cabinet lighting:
Under-cabinet lighting is great for task lighting. Lights can also be placed along the toe kick of base cabinets for added kitchen safety and aesthetics.
Integrated charging stations:
Built-in charging hubs offer a convenient way to keep smartphones and tablets charged and accessible. They eliminate tangled cords for a clutter-free kitchen.
Choosing the Right Cabinet Features for Your Needs
Choosing the perfect cabinet features depends on your budget, lifestyle and preferences. Base your decision on factors such as how often you cook, your storage needs and your household size. In Wichita, visit Star Lumber to explore cabinet options in our showroom. Book a free design consultation to help you choose the best cabinet features for your needs and budget.
