Kitchen Upper Cabinets: Types, Materials, Design, Installation, and Maintenance

Kitchen cabinets are a crucial component of the kitchen, which is the center of any house. Kitchen cabinets provide practical storage for all of your cooking necessities in addition to adding beauty and flair to your kitchen. Upper cabinets in kitchen cabinets are essential for offering plenty of storage space and making it simple to access frequently used goods.

In this post, we’ll go over the many types of upper cabinets for kitchens, materials and finishes, layout and design considerations, installation advice, and upkeep instructions.

Types of Kitchen Upper Cabinets

Upper cabinets in kitchens are available in a wide variety of styles and designs to accommodate your individual preferences and the configuration of your kitchen. The following are the most frequent varieties of upper cabinets for kitchens:

Wall Cabinets

The most prevalent style of top cabinets used in kitchens are those that are hung on the walls. They have a usual depth of 12 to 18 inches and a height of 12 to 42 inches, and they are mounted on the wall. Wall cabinets often include one or more doors, and you have the option to select either a framed or frameless design for the cabinet’s face. With framed cabinets, the cabinet box is surrounded by a frame, however in frameless cabinets, the cabinet box is not surrounded by a frame; this makes frameless cabinets more accessible and spacious.

Corner Cabinets

Cabinets that are meant to fit into corners typically contain a mechanism that allows the shelves to rotate, which makes it simple to get to the items stored inside. Because it might be difficult to keep corner cabinets organized, it is vital to carefully consider their placement in the room.

Glass-front Cabinets

Cabinets that have a glass panel in the door are called glass-front cabinets, and they make the contents of the cabinet visible. These are a wonderful choice for exhibiting ornamental objects as well as presenting your dishware and other utensils.

Open Shelving

The use of open shelving is becoming increasingly common in today’s kitchens. These are shelves that do not have doors, which allows for easy access to the products stored on them while also giving the impression that the kitchen is more open. Whether you want to draw attention to your favorite dishes or show off your collection of decorative things, open shelving is a fantastic choice.

Materials and Finishes

The longevity and beauty of the top cabinets in your kitchen are significantly impacted by the materials and finishes that you choose for them. The following is a list of the materials and finishes that are utilized most frequently in kitchen upper cabinets:

Wood

Wood is by far the most common material utilized in the construction of kitchen cabinets. It is hardy and long-lasting, and it is available in a variety of species, including as oak, maple, cherry, and birch, among others. Depending on your personal style, wood cabinets can be painted, stained, or left in their natural state.

Laminate

One option that is easy on the wallet is using laminate for the kitchen cabinets. On top of particleboard or MDF, it is constructed using layers of paper that have been injected with resin. Cabinets made of laminate can come in a variety of colors and designs, making it simple to find ones that complement the style of your kitchen.

Metal

Metal cabinets are not only long-lasting but also simple to clean and offer a contemporary appearance. Although stainless steel is by far the most common metal utilized in the construction of kitchen cabinets, it is possible to come across cabinets that are constructed of aluminum or copper as well.

Glass

Adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen is simple when you install glass cabinets since they are a wonderful alternative. They come in a variety of forms, such as clear, frosted, or textured glass, all of which can be purchased. The most effective use for glass cabinets is either as an accent cabinet or for showcasing various decorative things.

Cabinet Design and Layout

The functionality and storage capacity of your kitchen’s top cabinets are heavily dependent on the design and layout of those cabinets. The following are some design and layout issues that are to be kept in mind:

Depth

It is important to tailor the depth of your cabinets to the dimensions of your kitchen and the things you intend to put inside them. The depth of a cabinet can range anywhere from 12 to 18 inches, but there are even deeper cabinets available for storing larger objects.

Height

The height of your cabinets should be based on your ceiling height and the items you want to store. Standard cabinet height is 30 to 36 inches, but you can find taller cabinets for storing items that are not used frequently.

Shelving

The amount of stuff that can be stored in your cabinets is directly proportional to the number of shelves and the distance between them. You are able to personalize the interior of your cabinets to store a variety of objects that range in height thanks to the inclusion of adjustable shelves.

Organization

If you take the time to organize the things that are stored in your cabinets, you will be able to make better use of the space you have and find things more quickly. In order to keep little goods organized, it is helpful to group items that are related, label containers, and utilize drawer dividers.

Installation and Maintenance

Putting in higher cabinets in the kitchen can be difficult, but if you have the necessary equipment and know-how, you can accomplish the task on your own. Consider the following advice regarding the installation and upkeep of the system:

Installation

Be certain that you have all of the required equipment and materials on hand before beginning the installation of your cabinets. First, install the upper cabinets, beginning in one corner and working your way out to the other sides of the room. Shims should be used to ensure that the cabinets are level before they are attached to the wall studs.

Maintenance

Regular cleaning with a gentle detergent and warm water can keep your cabinets looking as if they were just installed. It is important to stay away from aggressive cleaners and chemicals that could potentially ruin the finish. Clean up any spills or stains as soon as possible to avoid them from leaving a permanent mark on the wood or any other materials.

Final Thought

Upper cabinets in the kitchen are a fixture that should be included in every kitchen. They not only add to the aesthetic appeal and practicality of your kitchen, but also contribute to its overall functionality. When selecting upper cabinets for the kitchen, it is important to think about the style, the material, and the design so that it fits in with your tastes and the layout of the kitchen. Installing them properly and caring for them on a regular basis will ensure that they continue to perform and look like new for many years to come. Contact Bullrun Kitchen and Bath immediately and we will decide on the most suitable project for you together.