Kitchen sets have now become extremely popular. The “calling card” of any kitchen is its façade.
The style and color of the front of the furniture and cabinet doors emphasize the unified design of the entire kitchen and are constantly in sight.
A careful approach to the search for furniture fronts for the kitchen interior will allow you to optimize the overall cost of the kitchen.
Materials
Today there is a wide selection of materials of different textures and colors. This allows you to create any style in the interior using kitchen facades.
To choose an original print or a front of unusual sizes, order an individual model of the product from the manufacturer; there are also many excellent ideas for fronts presented in the IKEA store. Among the huge assortment you can easily find facades of any size for the kitchen.
Recommendations for selection
So which kitchen facades are better? A very frequently asked question. In previous chapters, we described facade options, pros and cons of materials. The choice is yours. In the beginning, ask yourself whether you want a solid kitchen for the long term or whether you like to change the interior every five years.
If you want a long-term project, then choose a model made of wood, plastic, veneer or ceramics. If you quickly get bored with everything and like to change things often, then choose all the other options.
Wooden facades
In order to make facades from this material, plates two centimeters thick are used.
More inexpensive raw materials are pine trees, alder, and spruce.
- More expensive are oak, birch, cherry and ash.
- Imitation of materials is also popular - pine can be pickled to visually look like cherry.
- And you should also buy wooden kitchen fronts separately, because these products are very durable and look luxurious and noble.
The photo of kitchen facades shows a model of cherry kitchen facades; thanks to these elements, the interior looks expensive and stylish.
Shapes and types of facades
According to their shapes, kitchen facades are divided into the following categories:
- straight: represent a smooth canvas;
- corner: located in corner sets at the joints of L-shaped cabinets and cabinets, equipped with auxiliary hinges inside;
- radius: concave or convex facades installed for non-standard styling require professional sizing to avoid problems with the operation of the model and a reduction in its service life.
According to the characteristics of the supply and internal filling of the canvas, the following types of facades are distinguished:
- solid: do not have decorative additions, are made from solid wood or wood board;
- framed and paneled: additionally include a protruding frame around the perimeter, in the center there can be a regular panel made of wood, MDF or glass;
- louvered and lattice: include a frame and a non-standard canvas consisting of blinds or lattice.
Fine fraction
MDF facades for the kitchen are about two centimeters thick.
- Compressed small wood is the basis for the production of plates.
- Decorative PVC film can cover the plate and create the effect of steel, wood or change the color of furniture.
- Chipboard is also actively used for the production of kitchen facades.
These products can be laminated, veneered, and varnished with a matte or shiny effect. Budget is an important advantage of this material.
Veneer is the use of PVC film or laminate. The film can be easily applied to decorative surfaces and adapts to curves. Laminate is only suitable for flat surfaces.
Variety of choices
The modern furniture industry offers a wide range of materials for the manufacture of facades. The interior of the set is mainly made of chipboard, MDF or solid wood.
But the facades are distinguished by a large selection: wood, chipboard, plastic, film-coated MDF, enamel-coated MDF, veneer, metal, glass (painted or photo-printed glass). It’s up to you to decide what the face of your kitchen will be.
Colors and prints
Currently, combinations of different materials are very popular, which looks very original. Among such combinations are metal and wood products, wooden and glass elements, as well as granite and even marble.
Lots of room for creativity and design solutions. And if we are talking about wooden products and products and fine fractions, then the facades can be easily decorated with unique carvings, which will add nobility and sophistication to the kitchen set.
To create exclusive furniture, you can even contact the manufacturer and create not just an elegant kitchen with white facades, but work out all the details and add your own twist. True, it will cost more than buying a finished product.
MDF
+ Strong, durable, easy to maintain, resistant to moisture, the ability to produce radius facades.
- if MDF is covered with a film, it can peel off; if it is covered with enamel, protect from scratches and chips and do not use abrasive detergents.
Kitchen without fronts
There is such a design solution as a kitchen without facades. At the same time, the drawers remain open, which helps to quickly find all the jars and spices.
And if you place beautiful decorative jars in such boxes, they will serve as additional decoration.
Fittings – types of opening of facades
According to the specifics of the facade itself and the compartment hidden behind it, all fittings used for kitchens can be divided into the following groups:
- spring lifts and microlifts: used to lift doors, while the gas lift ensures their smoothest raising and lowering;
- overhead hinges: used for single-door bedside tables, they ensure neat placement of the sash on the end;
- semi-overlay: used for double-leaf cabinets, in which two doors are placed on one end at once;
- double-leaf hinges: simple fittings consisting of two plates connected by a pin;
- transformable hinges: ensure the door swings open 170 degrees;
- secret hinge: consists of two parts (a cylinder or plates with protruding parts), which, when closing the sash, fit into each other, ensuring a tight fit of the door to the end;
- guides: used to pull out drawers; the best models are those with closers that ensure the drawer slides out smoothly.
Special attention should be paid to overhead handles. They can be in the form of a bracket (classic version), a cylinder (rails), a drop, a ring or a button (protrudes above the door). There are also mortise handles, which are recesses in the facade itself.
Advantages of wooden facades
Wood is a durable and environmentally friendly material; in addition, it fits perfectly into any style and allows you to experiment with different designs.
Perhaps you are interested in English or Provençal style? Or do you prefer smooth surfaces in a modern style?
It is also worth taking a closer look at the country style - in this case, in a structure made of stone or brick, part of the doors are made of wood. Wooden products are easy to care for, and they look expensive and noble.
Changing the design is also not difficult - after removing the top layer of paint, as well as varnish, repaint the facades in a different color. A warm and cozy atmosphere is definitely guaranteed.
Lighting requirements
Warm soft light is most suitable for natural wood.
Simple lampshades or sconces can most optimally accentuate the beauty of furniture facades, which should become one with the kitchen design.
Straight kitchen design with cabinets up to the ceiling- What material are kitchen sets made of?
- Kitchens with patina: decor options and tips on color combinations
Laminated facade
A laminated kitchen facade will be an equally fashionable addition to your interior. The glossy surface and a huge selection of colors will allow you to create a fashionable kitchen in a modern style.
But you should also think about the fact that such a stylish kitchen will not be easy to call practical - any stains will be noticeable on the mirror surface, you need to especially often monitor the cleanliness of the set.
Key characteristics when choosing facades
Furniture in the kitchen is most often exposed to mechanical, thermal, chemical and other adverse effects.
Therefore, when choosing a material for a facade, it is very important to take into account a number of parameters:
- resistance to temperature changes (to avoid deformation of the facade in the slab area),
- moisture resistance of materials (to prevent facades from getting wet, they can be additionally covered with film),
- mechanical strength (when struck, no chips should appear).
In addition, it is desirable that the kitchen facade evokes positive emotions and is easy to clean.
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Classic cuisine
Cabinets made in a classic style have panels, rounded doors, as well as cornices, moldings and glass. Such decorative elements will be acceptable in both Scandinavian and rustic styles.
A charming kitchen in a romantic style can be made using fine grain panels, varnished, and finished in matching colors.
Beauty and convenience of the kitchen
Before choosing a door covering, you need to think about exactly what tasks your future kitchen will perform. And what loads will your future furniture withstand? Do you plan to cook there all the time or will it be a studio kitchen combined with a living room?
While cooking, humidity and air changes appear in the kitchen, so furniture doors should be not only beautiful, but also practical. We advise you to study the process of making kitchen facades in advance.
Original kitchen facades
Despite the high cost, custom-made products will delight you with their quality and uniqueness. The luxury set, lined with American walnut, will surprise everyone who comes to visit you.
- Works of art made from veneer grain, stone veneer, imitation concrete and even aluminum facades - everything that your imagination suggests.
- The appearance of the kitchen will change dramatically if you simply change the facades, leaving the same cabinets.
- A unique style and, perhaps, unusual design elements will appear.
- An excellent solution is white plain facades. They allow you to add bright accents to the kitchen interior and open up space for creative experiments.
- It's hard to remember a style that doesn't include white elements. Cover the white cabinet doors with varnish and then you will visually enlarge the kitchen.
In order to transform your kitchen set, it is not at all necessary to change it. You just need to change the facades.
By choosing any material, style and color, you will get a new composition, add fresh touches to the classic style or create a modern, fashionable interior. When you enter the kitchen, you will feel comfortable and a great mood is guaranteed. The main thing is to follow your tastes when choosing a design, as well as observe modern trends.
Standard and custom sizes
There is another very important feature that must be taken into account, these are the dimensions of the kitchen facades. They are standard and non-standard. Let's take a closer look at each. Standard doors, from the word “standard”. There is a certain grid of door sizes that is taken into account when drawing up the project.
Non-standard doors are an option that allows you to order a façade of any size. Let's say you have decided on a style, chosen a material that suits you, and before you start designing a project, study the size range and find out if it is possible to use non-standard sizes.
It is easier to use a standard mesh when drawing up a project, but if necessary, resort to making a non-standard one. The only small nuance is that non-standard ones are more expensive in price.
Louvered
Horizontal wood slats are commonly found in window or door designs, but as kitchen cabinet decor they add a distinct architectural flair. However, it should be remembered that such beauty may be difficult for the budget.
Many louvered doors are designed in such a way that there are gaps between the slats. This makes them extremely convenient for cabinets that need ventilation - such as cabinets near a radiator, cabinets for drying things in a dressing room or cabinets for household appliances.
Flat Type Doors for Drawers and Cabinets (Applegate Tran Interiors)
PVC coated MDF
They have the same advantages as MDF base. The covering layer is a polymer film, which can have any color, surface type (matte/glossy). This coating is much simpler and cheaper compared to painting. In addition, it can look like wood, stone, granite surfaces, as well as ceramics.
MDF coated with PVC film is the most common option on the market.
Photo from source: decolabs-home.arxip.com
Countertop Cedar 713/1 Black granite
Advantages
- low price;
- a wide variety of colors and patterns;
— regardless of the standard or non-standard execution of kitchen elements, the price does not change;
— does not wear out, is resistant to aggressive environments.
Flaws
— the drawing that is applied to the film fades under the rays of the sun;
- a strong difference between imitation and natural materials;
— there is a risk of the film peeling off from the base under the influence of high temperatures. High-risk areas: cabinets located close to the oven, dishwasher, electric kettle;
- impossibility of making restoration.
Chipboard/MDF facades with lamination
Lamination is when chipboard/MDF is covered with paper impregnated with resins and varnish - melamine film. Want to save money? Choose this option.
Photo from source: rondo-kazan.ru
Tabletop Cedar 1021/Q Black
Advantages
- affordable, low price;
Flaws
- unsightly appearance;
— rapidity of loss of the original appearance;
— aggressive substances have a negative effect;
- limitations in production - it is possible to create facades of only straight shapes.
IKEA is your assistant
Do you want to have unique and budget-friendly kitchen furniture? We give advice: first, purchase ready-made cabinets of the required sizes; IKEA has a choice, and buy the front part separately.
Another option is to order the filling of the cabinets from a local manufacturer, and for the front part of the project, buy IKEA kitchen facades.
Black
Black is a classic color. It’s not for nothing that tuxedos and little dresses are made in it. No matter how strange it may sound, black also has shades. So, in 2022, the color charcoal is popular. Such surfaces have a soft shine, but they are not mirror glossy.
A black kitchen can look somewhat dramatic if you make it mirrored or, conversely, completely matte. In any case, you should not exceed the permissible 60% and make the room exclusively black.
To avoid drama, you should use glossy surfaces, not just the facades themselves, but other objects: for example, a crystal chandelier, a mirror or glass apron, metal chairs, glossy floor tiles, and so on.
Black kitchen is a fashionable solution in 2022, which will suit the brave adventurous housewife. But this decision should be carefully thought out and prepared so as not to accidentally turn the kitchen into a small, dark room.
For the work done, you will enjoy a meal akin to meditation. An additional advantage of black is its versatility - the color will look good in different styles: avant-garde, modern, classic and, of course, gothic. Examples of this color in the photo.
Inserts
Although this type is the most expensive, its classic appearance will allow this design to remain fashionable for many years. The insert, or liner, gets its name because it is located inside the frame of the cabinet. They are designed and manufactured with high precision, so even when the wood is deformed they will open and close freely. As a rule, such doors have open hinges.
Artificially aged doors (GDC Construction)
