Kitchen Cabinets are the built-in furniture in a kitchen. They provide storage for food, utensils, cooking equipment and other serving dishes and silverware. They are either fitted separately or come with a pre-designed and pre-fabricated kitchen structure as found in contemporary cooking space. Modern kitchens also have appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers built into the kitchen cabinetry, making it compact and high on functionality.

Anthropological studies have shown that homeowners ‘interact’ with their kitchen cabinets almost daily, and therefore functionality, combined with aesthetics plays a key role in designing cabinets that best suit the homeowner and their cooking space.

Ergonomics of Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets are an essential part of most modern contemporary kitchens. They are either built separately to fit into an existing kitchen design or come pre-fabricated and pre-designed with a new kitchen structure Ergonomics play a key role in the designing of cabinets, from the height at which cabinets are built for material storage, to the distance between the kitchen triangle and the rest of appliances.

Large kitchens can have bigger or number of cabinets with multiple storage options, while the lack of space in small kitchens affords more experimentation to enhance functionality, optimizing the limited space for increased storage.

Kitchen Cabinets Features :

Modern kitchen cabinets come with a multitude of handy features such as;

  1. Pull out utensil shelves, spice racks and garbage/ recycling containers for convenience and discretion
  2. Large deep drawers providing ample space for cookware.
  3. Vertical storage cabinets for bottle and cookie sheet.
  4. Soft closure for drawers and door.
  5. Carousel trays to maximize usage of corner space f. Lazy susans for corner cabinets storage

Kitchen Cabinet Material

Cabinets can be made of MDF  and finished with veneer or they can be constructed with laminated plywood. They either come with a matte or gloss finish. They can be designed in a variety of colors and textures to blend with the overall scheme of the kitchen.

Cabinets also called carcasses, form the basic skeleton of the kitchen structure. There are four basic types that every kitchen is equipped with.

Cabinets are made up of a variety of materials, are available in myriad colors, and can be categorized into different kinds based on their position and size. The most common material used in designing a kitchen cabinet is BWR or Boiling Water Resistant ply.

Kitchen Cabinet Pricing

Pricing of cabinets depends on several factors including the choice of the base material, use of single or multiple drawers, additional pantry or bottle storage units, including a combination of different types of kitchen accessories. To calculate the price for the kitchen cost along with the material and cost, do check out our HomeLane Cost Calculator.

Different types of Kitchen Cabinets

1. Base Cabinets

Also called lower cabinets, these are the support and hold the entire kitchen together. These cabinets have a standard depth of 24 inches and a height of 28 inches (without skirting). The depth can be increased up to 27 inches based on specific applications or requirements. Height for the base cabinets is decided as per ease of use and facilitating an ergonomic design. Some kitchens feature base cabinets that rest over a ‘toe kick or skirting’ increasing the cabinet height to 32 inches.

2. Wall Cabinets

Also called upper cabinets, these are fixed to the wall above the countertop. Unlike the uniformity of base cabinets, upper cabinets are versatile, and their positioning and number can be adjusted based on the kitchen size and practical requirements. Upper cabinetry has a standard depth of 12 inches but can be increased to 17 or 18 inches if required.

3. Tall Cabinets

These cabinets are designed to accommodate appliances as well as food and utensils. They are usually tailored as per the kitchen design. These units act as a great storage space and have a maximum height of 80 inches.

4. Special Cabinets

Not found in every kitchen, they are designed as per practical requirements but add visual aesthetics as well as showcase the discreet and clever utilization of available kitchen space. Special units minimize space wastage and keep the kitchen better organized. These include tall cabinets with appliance storage, corner cabinets, counter extensions, suspended worktops and bottle racks.

Tips to Clean Kitchen Cabinets

It is good to clean kitchen cabinets once a week, to avoid grease created by the spices and oils. Cleaning kitchen cabinets is not difficult if you make it a habit of wiping the spillage and dirty area as soon as you find it. Keeping a kitchen clean will be a crucial activity, Cleaning the kitchen allows you to prevent insects and pest which are attracted towards the dirt and leftover food which are accumulated under the sink cabinets. Follow these steps to keep the kitchen cabinets clean and shiny:

  1. Empty the kitchen shelf, cleaning the storage boxes with the dry cloth to remove the accumulated dust.
  2. Vacuum it if you are cleaning your cabinet after a long time, to remove the dust/ flour and cobwebs.
  3. Use soap and water to wipe out the exterior part of the cabinet shutter, use a toothbrush to clean the slider or hard to clean area.
  4. Use naphthalene balls to avoid dampness in the cabinets, especially when it comes to under sink cabinets.
  5. Clean your dustbins while cleaning the under sink cabinets, remove any spillage from the food.
  6. Use newspaper to clean glass cabinets, or use a professional glass cleaner solution. Apply the same technique to clean mirrored cabinets.
  7. Clean the kitchen cabinets handle with the help of a toothbrush which will allow you to clean smaller portion.

Repeat these steps for every week and make it a habit to keep your kitchen cabinet clean

Cabinets can be designed for a variety of uses, and equipped with accessories that aid in convenience and storage. Contact HomeLane to get your dream kitchen today.

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