Kitchen Guides
12 Designer Details for Kitchen Cabinets & Islands
Take your kitchen to the next level with these special touches
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, most of us crave custom design. Whether it’s posh crown mouldings or ingenious storage solutions, custom design is all about the details. Add a personal touch to your kitchen cabinets with these 12 ideas that bring designer style to the heart of your home.
2. Matching ends
Instead of a flush skin, go with matching panels for your cabinet ends. Like decorative legs, they have a furniture-style look. This type of detail especially thrives in traditional or Mediterranean spaces.
A matching end comes integrated into the cabinet or as a separate piece. You can install your own; just make sure there’s enough room first. Some panels are up to ¾ inch thick, depending on the manufacturer.
Find a kitchen designer to help plan your kitchen
Instead of a flush skin, go with matching panels for your cabinet ends. Like decorative legs, they have a furniture-style look. This type of detail especially thrives in traditional or Mediterranean spaces.
A matching end comes integrated into the cabinet or as a separate piece. You can install your own; just make sure there’s enough room first. Some panels are up to ¾ inch thick, depending on the manufacturer.
Find a kitchen designer to help plan your kitchen
3. Decorative legs
From chunky to Mission style, table legs always catch the eye. Place them at the ends of your island or work them into your cabinet layout for a true furniture feel.
In general, legs with detailing are better suited for traditional and rustic designs. Simple, straightforward legs work best with contemporary and modern designs.
Check out these one-of-a-kind kitchen islands
From chunky to Mission style, table legs always catch the eye. Place them at the ends of your island or work them into your cabinet layout for a true furniture feel.
In general, legs with detailing are better suited for traditional and rustic designs. Simple, straightforward legs work best with contemporary and modern designs.
Check out these one-of-a-kind kitchen islands
4. A splash of colour
Neutrals remain the go-to hues to use for kitchen cabinets, so a stroke of green or blue is a daring design choice. It can be a risk that pays off. The effect is a bright and bold design with just the right amount of spice. Your neutrals will also pop, as they do in this contemporary design.
Neutrals remain the go-to hues to use for kitchen cabinets, so a stroke of green or blue is a daring design choice. It can be a risk that pays off. The effect is a bright and bold design with just the right amount of spice. Your neutrals will also pop, as they do in this contemporary design.
5. Glass door fronts
Whether transparent, frosted or seeded, a glass door front sets the stage for a glimpse of fine dishware and dazzling decor, especially when there are lights involved. This type of display can make your kitchen design open and inviting, which lets you and your guests feel right at home.
Whether transparent, frosted or seeded, a glass door front sets the stage for a glimpse of fine dishware and dazzling decor, especially when there are lights involved. This type of display can make your kitchen design open and inviting, which lets you and your guests feel right at home.
6. Corbels
Ornate, oversized and even plain corbels add traditional elegance to an island and kitchen cabinets.
Ornate, oversized and even plain corbels add traditional elegance to an island and kitchen cabinets.
7. Mixed door styles
If you’re stuck between two cabinet door styles, don’t be afraid to use both. Complementary styles can strengthen your kitchen’s overall look, while opposites can produce an attractive transitional design. This kitchen shakes it up with a mix of modern slab door fronts and Shaker-style cabinets.
Take a look at this mini guide to cabinet doors
If you’re stuck between two cabinet door styles, don’t be afraid to use both. Complementary styles can strengthen your kitchen’s overall look, while opposites can produce an attractive transitional design. This kitchen shakes it up with a mix of modern slab door fronts and Shaker-style cabinets.
Take a look at this mini guide to cabinet doors
8. Beadboard
As timeless as black and white, beadboard is perfect for rustic, farmhouse or beach-style kitchen designs. It also adds a smidgen of detail without compromising the simplicity of your design. Use it as the finishing touch for your cabinet ends or find a door style that has it built in.
As timeless as black and white, beadboard is perfect for rustic, farmhouse or beach-style kitchen designs. It also adds a smidgen of detail without compromising the simplicity of your design. Use it as the finishing touch for your cabinet ends or find a door style that has it built in.
9. Creative storage spaces
Don’t always settle for cookie-cutter storage options. A custom wine rack drawer is one way to give your cabinets a designer touch (and house a growing wine collection). Other popular options are spice rack drawers, peg pullouts for utensils, and tray dividers for baking sheets. Custom built-ins like these show personality and are a perfect marriage of form and function.
Don’t always settle for cookie-cutter storage options. A custom wine rack drawer is one way to give your cabinets a designer touch (and house a growing wine collection). Other popular options are spice rack drawers, peg pullouts for utensils, and tray dividers for baking sheets. Custom built-ins like these show personality and are a perfect marriage of form and function.
10. Wainscoat panels
Not to be confused with matching ends, wainscoat panels adorn the backs of cabinets. They can dress up the back side of your island and make it look like an authentic furniture piece with the help of decorative legs and matching ends.
Not to be confused with matching ends, wainscoat panels adorn the backs of cabinets. They can dress up the back side of your island and make it look like an authentic furniture piece with the help of decorative legs and matching ends.
11. Fluted moulding
Here’s where a little extra detail goes a long way. Put fluted moulding on both sides of a cabinet (preferably at a centre point, like a sink or stove base) to make a statement.
Here’s an essential guide to mouldings
Here’s where a little extra detail goes a long way. Put fluted moulding on both sides of a cabinet (preferably at a centre point, like a sink or stove base) to make a statement.
Here’s an essential guide to mouldings
12. Unique stains and glazes
An antique finish can add charm, and a custom glaze brings unparalleled character to kitchen cabinets.
Read more:
8 Modern & Efficient Kitchen Designs
Tell us:
Have you added designer details to your kitchens? Tell us how in the Comments below.
An antique finish can add charm, and a custom glaze brings unparalleled character to kitchen cabinets.
Read more:
8 Modern & Efficient Kitchen Designs
Tell us:
Have you added designer details to your kitchens? Tell us how in the Comments below.
Few things leave designer fingerprints like crown moulding does. It can bridge the gap between your wall cabinets and the ceiling, allowing for a seamless transition. In traditional kitchens, it can cap off the design with one final touch of detail.