Advantages:
- Durable
- Opens more kitchen space
Disadvantages:
- Lighter colors feel more spacious, darker colors feel more crowded
OVERVIEW of Kitchen Cabinets:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen countertops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Wall and Base Cabinets:
Both wall and base cabinets are a great idea for any kitchen, because they open up kitchen space and offer great storage. Their durability depends on the material they are made from, but the majority of products used to manufacture cabinetry are known for and relied on for their durability, like oak wood, cherry wood, maple wood, bamboo or stainless steel.
The options for your cabinets are endless, and finding durable materials is an easy process. Many durable materials are also made in an eco-friendly way, so you can go green and have reliable products that will last you for years.
One factor to keep in mind, less obvious than durability but just as important, is the color of your cabinets. The colors you apply in your kitchen will have a big impact on your space. Lighter colors on your walls and cabinets tend to make your room more spacious, but darker colors can make your space feel crowded. If you already have a big kitchen space or are looking for a sophisticated, modern look with dark colors, the darker room may not have as much of an impact. But if you are looking for a traditional design or only have a small space to work with, lighter colors on your walls and cabinets are probably the best option.
GREEN Considerations:
Any material you want to use on your wall and base cabinets can be made in an eco-friendly way. If you use wood, make sure it is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) cerfitied, as that guarantees the wood was harvested in a sustainable manner. Many manufacturers also use reclaimed wood, which is salvaged wood that has been transformed into functional products.
Bamboo is the strongest plant in the world, as well as the fastest growing. It is a renewable energy source and has a great impact on the environment. Using bamboo for any area of your house is a great decision.
Stainless steel is considered an environmentally-friendly product, and is recommened for anyone who keeps an eco-friendly design at the top of their list. Stainless steel is recyclable, is not manufactured with harmful chemicals and is great in any area of your kitchen.
For whatever materials you use in your kitchen, do your homework on how they are manufactured and sold, and go with the most eco-friendly option you can. Not only is it great for the environment, if products are manufactured and sold in low-impact ways, they are better for the air quality inside your home. Checking to be sure that the products you are placing in your home are manufactured and sold in eco-friendly ways is half the battle of keeping your home environmentally-friendly.
