Kitchen cabinets: varieties, tips for choosing and installing

The correct organization of the kitchen area is a guarantee of comfortable cooking, as well as obtaining a beautiful and harmonious space. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of kitchen furniture, 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 for storing kitchen utensils, household appliances, and also as an additional work surface. Before purchasing this piece of furniture, you must carefully study the range of products and select only those positions that are most suitable for the area being equipped.

A kitchen cabinet is an integral part of every food preparation area. It is on this element that the rational use of the workspace depends on the convenient location of the sink, hob and countertop. This piece of furniture consists of:

• hulls;
• countertops;
• basement.

Quality cabinets should have the following characteristics:

• practicality and functionality;
• versatility;
• compliance with the style of the interior;
• pollution resistance;
• resistance to high temperatures and temperature fluctuations;
• maximum suitability for storing kitchen utensils and vegetables;
• the ability to manufacture from various types of material;
• moisture resistance.

Like any interior product, the curbstone also has its drawbacks:

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

A kitchen cabinet with a countertop is a versatile device that carries a variety of functional purposes. Specialists in the manufacture of cabinet furniture distinguish the following types of pedestals:

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

The main types of pedestals, depending on the purpose:

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

The classic kitchen utensil 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.

For storing 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 are bedside tables for sinks, the size of which should correspond to the diameter of the plumbing and its type. To install an overhead sink, it is necessary to purchase cabinets without countertops. In this case, the plumbing is simply superimposed on the curbstone. It is better to entrust the installation of the mortise product 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 treating all joints with sealing compounds. In most cases, the interior of the product is left empty to accommodate the trash can.

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

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

In order for all parts of the kitchen set to have an integral look, it is necessary to take into account the shape and size when selecting them. Despite the fact that the standard of the product is 90x61x85 cm, specialists can produce furniture in strict accordance with the wishes of the client. To correctly calculate the height of the cabinet, it is imperative to take into account the height of the hostess, the angle of the bent arm, which during cooking should not be less than 90 degrees. Custom-made narrow and tall corner structures can be up to 40 cm wide.

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

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

• Particleboard with plastic coating - 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 - a versatile material, for the manufacture of which vacuum technology is used. The color of the product depends on the applied top 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.
• Wood (pine, oak, beech) - an environmentally friendly material that is used to make premium furniture. Disadvantages - high price, the ability to use only high-quality and dried wood.

In order for the purchased product to serve for 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 tabletop is made. Cabinet furniture experts recommend paying attention to several categories of materials.

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

Cast plastics, food grade metal, tile and timber have also proven themselves well.

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

• wood is an expensive raw material that can deform from high temperatures and moisture;
• veneer;
• MDF sheets with film or coated with paint;
• plastic coated chipboard sheets;
• chipboard 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 finished headset, then to create the effect of integrity, you must try to get into the main tone as much as possible. Often, modern designers create bright color splashes in the kitchen to give the interior individuality by using contrasting colors of the pedestals.

To decorate the structure that will help revitalize a small cooking area, you can decorate the facades of products with graphics and various drawings.

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

• White;
• beige;
• Gray;
• blue;
• Brown.

Influence on the choice of cabinet in the kitchen have the following factors:

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

Given these parameters, manufacturers offer several options for furniture:

• modular - for non-standard premises;
• standard - ready-made models, the size of which meets the established standards;
• under the order - furniture, which is made according to individual sizes, taking into account all the wishes of the customers.

Some firms focus on the production of ready-made economy class headsets, which are indispensable in the design of premises with budget repairs.

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

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

Professional craftsmen and designers recommend considering the following recommendations before making a purchase decision:

• drawers 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 back wall of the cabinet;
• the size range of the cutting surface is from 40 to 60 cm;
• the use of products, the width of which is more than 80 cm, only in large rooms;
• installing a single-door product will require a lot of space to open the door;
• products with wooden facades look more impressive in large spaces.

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

It is better to cover the distance between the work surface and the wall with a special plinth, and seal all joints with sealing compounds.

For the correct placement of the cabinet, the following expert advice must be taken into account:

• mandatory installation of a protective strip on the worktop near hot hobs;
• installation of an additional work surface between the sink and the curbstone;
• to increase functionality and practicality, it is necessary to install several pedestals under one work surface;
• the height of the cabinet should not be lower or at the level of the window sill;
• placing the dishwashing machine strictly on the same line with the kitchen furniture.

Experts recommend not using the following interior design techniques:

• installation of the product in direct contact with a gas or electric stove, which can cause deformation of the cabinet wall under the influence of high temperatures;
• overlapping by furniture of 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 hostess is the presence of a beautiful, functional and comfortable kitchen, where one could be happy to cook delicious delicacies and meet guests. Modern manufacturers produce a huge assortment 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, it is imperative to study all the intricacies of the selection of 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.