Kitchen cabinets: varieties, selection and installation tips

The proper organization of the kitchen area is the key to comfortable cooking, as well as obtaining a beautiful and harmonious space. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of furniture for the kitchen, which consists of a large number of different elements. One of the main parts of a kitchen set is a cabinet, various versions of which can be used to store kitchen utensils, household appliances, as well as an additional work surface. Before purchasing this element of the situation, it is necessary to carefully study the range of products and select only those positions that are most suitable for the area to be equipped.

A kitchen cabinet is an integral part of every cooking area. It is from this element that the rational use of the working space with a convenient location of the sink, hob and countertop depends. This interior item consists of:

• housing;
• countertops;
• basement.

Quality cabinets should have the following characteristics:

• practicality and functionality;
• universality;
• compliance with the style of the interior;
• resistance to pollution;
• resistance to elevated temperature and temperature fluctuations;
• maximum suitability for storing kitchen utensils and vegetables;
• the possibility of manufacturing from various types of material;
• moisture resistance.

Like any interior product, the cabinet has its drawbacks:

• difficulty moving
• bulkiness;
• the impossibility of thorough cleaning of the floor and baseboards under it.

A kitchen cabinet with a countertop is a universal device that carries a different functional purpose. Specialists in the manufacture of cabinet furniture distinguish the following types of cabinets:

• single door;
• two-door;
• with drawers;
• under the sink;
• combined (with upper drawers and lower doors);
• under the integrated cooking system;
• under the microwave;
• with curved doors;
• with curved drawers;
• with a beveled corner;
• with carved doors;
• under sliding baskets.

The main types of curbstones, depending on the purpose:

• for storing kitchen utensils;
• for washing;
• under a gas stove or hob;
• cargo - for seasonings, sauces and butter;
• for tableware.

A classic product for kitchen utensils can be used to store dishes, small household appliances and cereals. This design is equipped with two or three shelves, and the front side is closed by a swing or sliding door.

To store tableware, it is better to purchase a product in the form of a chest of drawers, which is equipped with small drawers with a mesh bottom. The width of the drawers ranges from 60 to 80 cm. Some models have a combined filling, which consists of drawers for small utensils and shelves for large kitchen utensils.

The most popular cabinets for washing, the size of which should correspond to the diameter of the plumbing and its type. To install a surface wash it is necessary to purchase cabinets without countertops. In this case, the plumbing is simply superimposed on the pedestal. It is better to entrust the installation of a mortise to a specialist in connection with the need to cut a special hole in the cabinet. To prevent the wooden structure from getting wet, builders recommend that all joints be treated with sealing compounds. In most cases, the inside of the product remains empty to accommodate a bin.

To install round or corner sinks, experts recommend paying attention to corner furniture with hinged or folding doors.

Particular attention should be paid to unusual designs, such as a table-cabinet, cabinet-cabinet with shelves and a sliding cabinet on wheels with two drawers. These models are made by type of designers and help to significantly save the kitchen space.

In order for all parts of the kitchen set to have a solid look, it is necessary to take into account the shape and dimensions when selecting them. Despite the fact that the product standard is 90x61x85 cm, specialists can manufacture furniture in strict accordance with the wishes of the client. For the correct calculation of the height of the cabinet, it is necessary to take into account the growth of the hostess, the angle of the bent arm, which during cooking should not be less than 90 degrees. The width of narrow and high angular structures made to order can be 40 cm.

The standard height of the floor stand with table top is in the range from 80 to 90 cm, and the depth is from 55 to 60 cm. The ledge of the countertop above the drawers should not be less than 5 cm.

Before purchasing the product you must be sure to pay attention to the material from which it is made, and carefully study its properties.

• Plastic coated chipboard - A popular and inexpensive raw material that is made by gluing wood chips. The disadvantage is the deformation of the edges when moisture gets on them.
• MDF - universal material, for the manufacture of which vacuum technology is used.The color of the product depends on the applied upper layer, which can be of a different color palette, as well as texture. Advantages - no need for edge trimming.
• Veneered Laminate - a beautiful product, the top layer of which is covered with a thin layer of veneer.
• Tree (pine, oak, beech) - environmentally friendly material that is used for the manufacture of premium furniture. Disadvantages - high price, the ability to use only high-quality and dried wood.

In order for the purchased product to serve more than one year, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the main material of the product, but also to the material from which the countertop is made. Specialists in cabinet furniture recommend paying attention to several categories of materials.

• Laminated board - wood-particle material, which has an affordable price and a high level of popularity. To increase the moisture resistance, the plates are covered with a durable plastic layer.
• Fake diamond - the most durable and beautiful product, the top layer of which is pressed and glued crumb from stone.
• Tempered glass - A spectacular material that looks like a natural stone. Disadvantages - high price range, low resistance to mechanical damage.

Cast plastic, food metal, tile and wood have also worked well.

It is imperative to pay attention to the material from which the facades are made:

• wood is an expensive raw material that can be deformed from the action of high temperatures and moisture;
• veneer;
• MDF sheets with a film or coated with paint;
• plastic coated chipboard sheets;
• particleboard sheets with a film of various colors.

The color of the kitchen cabinet directly depends on the general stylistic direction of the room. If the product is purchased to complement an already completed headset, then to create the effect of integrity, you must try to get into the main tone as much as possible. Often, modern designers to give the interior an individuality by using contrasting colors of the cabinets create bright color splashes in the kitchen.

To decorate the design, which will help revitalize a small cooking area, you can decorate the facades of products with graphic images and various drawings.

Despite the color variety of wooden products, manufacturers focus on classic colors:

• white;
• beige;
• grey;
• blue;
• brown.

The influence on the choice of cabinets in the kitchen have the following factors:

• general style of the room;
• price range;
• size and shape of the room.

Given these parameters, manufacturers offer several furniture options:

• modular - for non-standard rooms;
• standard - finished models, the size of which complies with established standards;
• under the order - furniture that is made to individual sizes, taking into account all the wishes of customers.

Some companies focus on the manufacture of ready-made headsets of the economy class, which are indispensable in the design of rooms with budget repairs.

The type and quality of fittings have a direct impact on the life of the furniture and its aesthetic indicators. The following items significantly increase the purchase price:

• automatic closers;
• shock absorbers;
• drying baskets;
• guides (roller, telescopic, metabox, tandembox);
• type of legs (simple, decorative).

Before making a purchasing decision, professional craftsmen and designers recommend that you consider the following recommendations:

• boxes are more ergonomic and spacious;
• the depth of shelves and drawers must be calculated taking into account the presence of various types of communications near the rear wall of the cabinet;
• the size range of the cutting surface is from 40 to 60 cm;
• the use of products whose width is more than 80 cm, only in large rooms;
• installation of a single-door product will require a large amount of space to open the door;
• products with wooden facades look more impressive in large spaces.

For the correct arrangement of kitchen furniture, it is necessary to take into account the size and shape of the kitchen, as well as the functional purpose of each element. Products with drawers are best placed near the hob under a common worktop.

It is better to close the distance between the working surface and the wall with a special plinth, and seal all joints with sealing mixtures.

For proper placement of the curbstone, the following expert advice should be considered:

• obligatory installation of the protective strip on the countertop near the hot hobs;
• installation between an sink and a curbstone of an additional working surface;
• to increase functionality and practicality, it is necessary to install several curbstones under one working surface;
• the height of the cabinet should not be lower or at the level of the windowsill;
• placing the dishwasher in exactly one line with the kitchen furniture.

Experts recommend not using the following methods of interior decoration:

• installation of the product in direct contact with a gas or electric stove, which can cause deformation of the wall of the cabinet under the influence of high temperatures;
• furniture overlapping electrical outlets and switches, as well as gas and water valves;
• installation of natural wood products in rooms with high humidity.

The dream of every housewife is the availability of a beautiful, functional and comfortable kitchen where you could enjoy cooking delicious treats and meeting guests with pleasure. Modern manufacturers produce a huge range of products for this room, which have a wide price range. With any amount of financial resources, you can transform any premises. In order to make the right choice before buying, you must definitely study all the subtleties of selecting furniture for the kitchen and be sure to consult with experienced sellers of furniture stores.

How to make a cabinet with your own hands is described in the next video.