Traditional v. Contemporary Kitchen Cabinet Styles

When you remodel a home and kitchen you are left with many styles from which to choose, however, these styles fall into two categories. The first is traditional and the second is contemporary. Many older homes are looking for traditional styles during restoration. Traditional homes are often ones reflective upon the country or warm and inviting family lifestyles. The cabinet designs are open and warm reflective upon natural colors and textures.

Traditional kitchen cabinet styles include old-world style. This name includes things such as French style cottage, Mediterranean style, Italian style, and medieval style. The cabinets in these styles are designed to reflection upon the features contained in the room including stone floors, large countertops, and natural materials. Old world style kitchen cabinets offer simple lines with ornate and heavy decorations on top. The configuration appears mismatched but is a characteristic of the Old World style.

Cabinets for country styles are often painted in lieu of staining. The colors used are often natural like deep red or sage and are muted. The finish is then distressed to produce an aged appearance. If there is a front to the cabinets it is often made of glass. These country kitchens conjure the image of a large family gathering, exuding warmth and a cozy feel. The cabinets selected for this style of kitchen should reflect the country charm.

Another style is the French Provencal cabinet style which falls under the Old World style but is worthy of mention because of some significant differences. While this style includes natural trims and materials for the cabinets the texture and overall character of the kitchen cabinets in this style is much lighter than the other traditional Old World styles. For the French Country style, the cabinets are often stained with soft colors or painted with browns or grays. Like country style, the cabinets can have glass fronts.

Contemporary kitchen designs are ones which boast sleek natures and fine lines. These are often characterized by steel and black in combination with solid granite surfaces. The overall appeal is the modern characteristic and refined nature. Contemporary kitchens are also characterized by their new-age feel, such as integrating newer tiles, granite counters, glass cabinets, or colder hard surfaces for the equipment in the kitchen and the flooring.

Both options offer unique characteristics, colors, and styles so no matter what you want in your kitchen cabinet design, you can find it.