Best Material for White Kitchen Cabinets [2022 Kitchen Tips]

  • By: Peter Allen
  • Date: 02/10/2022
  • Time to read: 9 min.

Cabinets, in most cases, comprise at least half of your kitchen’s skeletal structure and are certainly one of the most integral parts of a kitchen. Besides storing kitchen items, they play a key role in the aesthetics and flow of your cooking area. That’s why you need to choose cabinet material with care, depending on your kitchen design and color. In this regard, anyone would ask, “what is the best material for white kitchen cabinets?” Here we have the answer.

Laminate is the best material for white kitchen cabinets. They are reasonably durable and, interestingly, highly affordable, making them a go-to resort for anyone on a budget and wants white kitchen cabinets.

High-pressure-treated laminate kitchen cabinets are extremely durable and can be designed to fit your kitchen theme. That said, if you are in the market shopping for white kitchen cabinets, read on to learn more about selecting the right material that will add a contemporary and futuristic vibe to your kitchen.

White kitchen cabinets

A kitchen is the heart of a home.

White kitchen cabinets are a staple in many homes, but for a good reason – white is irreplaceable. They effortlessly complement any kitchen’s most distinct qualities, create a clean and crisp look while giving your entire kitchen a classy, sophisticated appearance. While we all know that white kitchen cabinetry can make all the difference when pulling together kitchen interior designs, what about the material?

Brightly colored cabinets appear tighter, creative, and a bit more fanciful. For this reason, you want to invest in a material that will last for years without being difficult to model.

While many people swear by laminates when it comes to creating smooth, easy-to-clean, and durable white kitchen cabinets, there are several materials that can be used to design good-looking white cabinets.

When it comes to the nitty-gritty, high-pressure-treated laminate, laminate veneer, hardwood, and plywood have an excellent reputation for high-quality cabinets. White kitchen cabinets designed from these materials have unmatched durability and aesthetic qualities. Although they all tend to be pricier, laminate is cost-effective compared to many other materials.

Whether you choose high-pressure laminate or low-pressure laminates (melamine), you can be sure to get a good return on investment. Unlike wooden cabinets, kitchen cabinets made from laminates are moisture-resistant and do not require repeated polishing. Considering that laminates are usually coated with a thin layer of transparent plastic, their outer layer is strong and doesn’t fade, scratch, or wear off easily.

Factors to consider when choosing kitchen cabinet

What your kitchen cabinets are made of determines how they look and how they will withstand daily use. Considering that they are a central focal point in your kitchen, it is imperative also to keep them in good shape and maintain them so they can stand up to the wear and tear they are bound to endure through their lifespans.

There is more to kitchen cabinets than most people know. From material to aesthetic qualities of the cabinet door, here are things you need to consider when choosing kitchen cabinets.

1. The available space

One of the factors that can hinder you from designing what you want is space. That’s why you need to consider the available space upfront.

Before you start thinking of the cabinet designs, you need to measure the available space to make sure it will take the cabinets. If your budget allows, you can hire a professional designer to help measure the space and even take care of the entire designing project. Knowing what items you will be keeping in the cabinets will give you a rough estimate of the space you need.

If the space is too small for the clutter you want to hide in your kitchen cabinets, consider throwing away what is less useful.

2. Function of cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are commonly used for storage. But what will you be storing? When installing kitchen cabinets, you should strive for functionality.

You want to install cabinets where all your items will fit neatly without looking over cluttered or leaving a lot of unutilized space. In other words, you want all your items to appear organized rather than messy.

Still on functionality, if you want to keep appliances on the counter or counter space is more important than storage space, you should consider keeping your top cabinets higher. That way, you will have enough counter space for all your needs. Functionality always goes hand in hand with layout, all aimed at giving you the style you need.

3. Material

The material used in constructing your kitchen cabinets determines its durability. While solid wood has been a popular choice for making kitchen cabinets, cabinets designed with hardwoods usually have premium price tags. Another significant downside of hardwood kitchen cabinets is that hardwoods are tight-grained, meaning the finish cannot penetrate deep. This causes the finish to peel off, especially when exposed to moisture.

On the flip side, there are non-wood materials like laminate that are highly affordable and make good quality cabinets. Cabinets made from high-pressure laminate are a perfect option for homeowners on a tight budget but carve top-quality and durable cabinets. Melamine (low-pressure laminates) white kitchen cabinets are also an ideal choice for those on super-tight budgets.

If you want long-lasting white kitchen cabinets, you may consider metal or stainless steel options.

Whatever material you choose, make sure to blend durability, versatility, and price.

4. Box styles

When it comes to the actual cabinets, the style of the box boils down to whether it is framed or frameless. As the name suggests, framed cabinets usually have frames, while frameless options do not have frames. Each option has its benefits and shortcomings.

Framed cabinets are an American style of cabinet and usually have their doors attached to the frames. Depending on personal preferences, you can choose cabinets with particle overlay doors, inset cabinet doors, or full overlay doors.

For frameless options, the doors are attached to the sidewall of the box itself using a special type of concealed hinges. The appeal of frameless cabinets is that they provide more access to the content of the cabinets plus slightly more storage space. Despite being European style, they are very popular in the US and great for modern kitchens.

5. Size and shape of cabinets

Choosing kitchen cabinets doesn’t mean you have to settle for standard sizing only. There is always a reason enough to invest in semi-custom or fully-customized cabinets.

Well, while stock cabinets are wonderful, particularly when you are in a hurry, they are barely customized to suit personal preferences. Most of them are standard (pre-assembled) or ready-to-assemble cabinets and, although they give the benefit of affordability, you are limited to picking from a set of fixed sizes, shapes, and configurations. Again, standard cabinets in stock can be of very poor quality.

If you are not in a hurry, it is always best to order semi-custom or fully-customized cabinets. With white kitchen cabinets, there are many ways to customize your cabinets to suit your kitchen’s special needs. For instance, with custom cabinets, you can have a cabinet that is three inches shorter than the rest so you can keep your espresso machine under it.

6. Style of the doors

Whether planning to have a traditional, rustic country, or contemporary modern kitchen, there’s always a door style to suit every taste. Considering that cabinet doors are the most visible part of the cabinet, it is imperative to invest in visually appealing doors.

Your cabinets should be good-looking and serve their purpose. As such, aesthetics and functionality are paramount. High-quality doors crafted from the best materials for kitchens will enhance the look and feel of your cooking area while providing functional benefits.

Remember, aesthetics is all about color, finish, styles, and hardware. Contrary to what many people think, lighter cabinets conceal dirt better than dark ones. It is no surprise that white kitchen cabinets are so popular.

7. Hardware choices

For many people, hardware comes last. One thing you need to know is that simple add-ons such as knobs and or handles can add a lot of style to your cabinets. Hardware spices up the appearance of your cabinets and drawer face while providing an easier way to open or lose them. All you need is to buy hardware that compliments the overall theme and style of your kitchen.

Some hardware pieces are so stylish that you change the style of your kitchen cabinet by switching them (hardware).

8. Budget

Let’s be honest: even if you carve the most fanciful and durable cabinets outs there, your cravings mean nothing if you can’t afford them. Kitchen cabinets are usually the costly part of kitchen reno. As such, it is important that you set a reasonable budget and stick to it.

Sticking to your budget will not only keep you from falling in love with cabinets that you cannot afford but also help you narrow your choices so you can buy the highest possible quality for your budget.

9. Enhancements

There is no shortage of ways to add pop to your white cabinets. After you have decided on everything else and installed your cabinets, it is worth adding a dramatic touch by adding decoration elements like glass doors, decorative molding, and lighting.

Above everything, make sure to create an elegant and functional culinary environment.

Best materials for kitchens

There is a variety of materials that can be used to design kitchen cabinets. When picking the right material, your personal needs should be your guide. In this case, you want to have the best white kitchen cabinets.

Here is all you need about the different materials so you can make an informed decision

Laminate

Laminates double as the most affordable kitchen cabinet materials and best material for white kitchen cabinets. They are made of three resin-saturated layers, fused together to create a heavy material that can be used in making cabinets and floors.

Although Laminate looks like wood veneer, cabinets designed from it are highly durable, particularly when you opt for a high-pressure-treated laminate. Laminate is also easy to clean and maintain, plus it bestows seamless looks.

Hardwood

Hardwood is arguably the most popular cabinet material out there and has been preferred by many for decades. Although it can be painted white, many homeowners prefer its unique, natural look.

Although hardwood variations top when it comes to durability, they are tight-grained, which causes the paint to peel off because it can’t penetrate deep enough to hold for long. That’s why they come second in the list of best materials for white kitchen cabinets.

If you can commit to regular polishing, hardwood can be a great option.

Medium Density Fiberwood (MDF)

MDF is a high-composite material consisting of thin panels made from wood fiber, resin, and wax. Popularized by its use in mainstream IKEA cabinetry, MDF cabinets are cherished because the material is resistant to peeling and cracks.

MDF cabinets are super easy to paint over, and with their smooth texture, they look great when painted white.

Plywood

Many cabinet makers are gravitating towards making plywood cabinets. Plywood offers the benefit of affordability; it is stable and has a higher moisture resistance. This type of wood comes in many variations, featuring a plastic laminate, wood veneer, or thermofoil coat on the outer surface.

They can easily be painted white, but you need to apply a primer before painting.

Particleboard

Also known as low-density fiberboard (LDF), particleboard is another cabinet material commonly compared to plywood. It is an engineered wood made by pressing together recycled wood products that are sandwiched between laminated or wood veneer.

Although it is an inexpensive option, it doesn’t last long and sags easily.

Thermofoil

Similar to laminate, thermofoil is another non-wood kitchen cabinet material. Despite not featuring any wood, it is engineered to resemble the look of natural wood. At an affordable price, thermofoil comes with white or light color finishes, which makes it an excellent option for making white cabinets.

Conclusion

Cabinets are an essential component that every kitchen needs. They allow you to store items and keep your kitchen organized. To ensure you get a lasting storage solution, make sure to pick the highest quality and durable material you can afford. For your design and style, remember that the cabinet door is the most visible and character-defining element of cabinetry, so make it unique and appealing

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post

How do you loosen a stuck kitchen drawer? [7 Best Kitchen Tips]

Next Post

Is a Kitchen in the Basement Legal? [2022]

Basement Kitchen