A kitchen is the centre of a family’s health. It is where legacy recipes come together and many fond memories are created. A durable, functional and inviting kitchen is always a good investment. When considering a kitchen remodel, one of the most important aspects to pay attention to is the kitchen cabinet material. 

Since cabinets comprise at least half of a kitchen’s layout, ensuring they are resilient will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. When choosing materials for cabinets, some of the factors to consider are:

• Durability 
• Sensitivity to weather
• Water and heat resistance
• Price
• Environmental Sustainability
• Aesthetics 

Let’s look at the different options available in the market and how they measure up. 

Types of Kitchen Cabinet Materials 

• Natural Wood

Many modular kitchens use natural wood like oak, teak and rosewood. While they are aesthetically impressive, especially when paired with traditional décor, high temperatures and humidity can ruin their shelf-life. Termites may also become a problem, but a chemical treatment can solve that. If you want natural wooden cabinets, it is best to have temperature and humidity control installed at home.

•  Plywood

Plywood is an engineered alternative to natural wood. Thin wood layers or veneers are glued together to create a single sheet. A special kind of moisture-resistant (MR) plywood is great for cabinets. Boiling water-resistant (BWR) grade plywood, which is weather-proof in addition to being water-proof, is another option to consider. Plywood is one of the most popular cabinet materials for modular kitchens in Chennai because it is strong, moisture-resistant, durable and affordable.

• HDHMR Boards

High-Density High Moisture Resistance (HDHMR) boards are a good eco-friendly option. They are made from wood and agricultural waste, fibre chips, etc., that are tightly bound to create a strong board. This makes them moisture-resistant, temperature-resistant and also termite-resistant. For a tropical climate like India, they are a great sustainable and affordable option for kitchen cabinets. With a glossy finish, they can be quite easy on the eyes too!

• Fibreboards

Fibreboards are engineered wooden boards. They are made using recycled fibres, wood particles, resin, and wax compressed together. There are two kinds of fibreboards: high-density fibreboards (HDF) and medium-density fibreboards (MDF). MDF is common in mass-produced cabinets like the ones at IKEA. While they may not be as durable as plywood, both are cheaper than plywood and eco-friendly too! They are easier to paint over, making them perfect for cabinet shutters.

• Particleboard

Particleboards are made of wood chips combined with adhesives to create panels. They have very low density. These are some of the least-recommended materials for a modular kitchen in Chennai because they can’t hold up much weight and are also not moisture-resistant. However, they are pocket-friendly.

• Metal

Metals like stainless steel or aluminium as kitchen cabinet materials can create a unique aesthetic. They are also durable, don’t stain easily and are easier to clean. However, metal is heavy, making it harder to install than wood. They also tend to be much more expensive.

Get Vibrant 

Getting expert advice for your kitchen interiors is a good idea if you want to make the right choice. Vibrant Spaces can help transform your kitchen, taking care of everything from picking out the perfect kitchen cabinet materials to the final installation. With a 10-year warranty, expert advice and the ability to work with any budget, Vibrant will create your dream kitchen in no time!

If you’ve ever seen a glossy, magazine-ready modular kitchen in Chennai, then chances are they’ve used acrylic cabinets. Acrylic kitchen cabinets are durable, low maintenance and cost-effective as compared to other alternatives. They also come in a variety of finishes, such as high-gloss, matte, etc., to ensure you have as many options as possible to create the perfect kitchen for your home. 

Here is a comprehensive guide on choosing the right finish for your acrylic kitchen cabinets.

High Gloss

All interior designers in Chennai will tell you that the glossier the surface, the more light it reflects. High-gloss acrylic reflects light in myriad different angles and lends your kitchen a spacious look. With this type of finish, darker coloured cabinets are perfect for smaller kitchens as they don’t absorb light.

Unfortunately, with such reflective surfaces, colour cast is very common. This means the colour in your decor is splashed across the kitchen. The glossy surface also casts light on every little imperfection such as greasy fingerprints. 

Matte

When you don’t want a super-reflective surface, or want a subtler or muted look in your space, then consider opting for a matte finish. This is particularly suited for kitchens that have a traditional style with routed cabinet fronts. With this finish, your greasy fingerprints are far less visible. 

However, since the flat surface absorbs light, we recommend that you only use this in a spacious kitchen with plenty of natural light. If you’d like to have matte acrylic kitchen cabinets in a smaller space, then make sure to use light colours such as white, ivory or beige.

Semi-gloss

Semi-glossy acrylic kitchen cabinets are a happy medium between the high-gloss and matte finish. They have a certain degree of light-reflective tendencies that mask the imperfections in the space, while the reduced shine also ensures consistent colour. This allows you more freedom in your choice of appliances, utensils and decor. This type of cabinet finish is therefore suitable for most modular kitchens in Chennai.

We hope this helps you choose the right finish for your acrylic kitchen cabinets.

Want more design help in the kitchen? Check out this blog where our interior designers in Chennai talk about the accessories every kitchen must have.

Every homeowner has stood at the crossroads between choosing a factory-made modular kitchen and hiring a carpenter to create a kitchen from scratch. Both options have their merits. Before you decide, it is important to understand the needs of your space and find the option that ticks all the boxes. In this blog, we’ve illustrated the advantages of carpenter-made kitchens and modular kitchens in Chennai to help clarify any queries you may have.

Advantages of Modular Kitchen

• Cool and Chic!

You can’t deny it. Modular kitchens look sleek, sophisticated and beautifully put together. Since they come in a set, all the pieces such as the counters, island and the cabinets, match seamlessly.

• Easy to Install & Modify

Since they are built in a factory and assembled on-site later on, a modular kitchen in Chennai is designed to be easy to put together and take apart. They also come in pre-made sets that make it easy to switch out your cabinets for tiered drawers if you change your mind a few months down the line.

• Customized Storage 

Your storage needs in the kitchen don’t end with cabinets and drawers. That’s why modern kitchens are more than simple box cabinets and counters. They offer many other storage options such as pull-out pantries, dish racks, and more. 

• Free of Mess

As a homeowner, you’ve certainly experienced home remodelling projects that end with sawdust or paint in every nook and corner of your home. However, with modular kitchens, the wood is cut to size and sanded down in the factory or warehouse. Therefore you won’t have to clean the space for sawdust.

Advantages of Carpenter Made Kitchens

• Personalised to Your Needs

You don’t always want a one-size-fits-all design for your home. In such cases, carpenters come to the rescue. Rather than pick your kitchen from a catalogue, carpenters can create a space that’s to your exact specifications. These can be as simple as custom cabinet and counter heights to match your appliances or as complicated as a unique design for your asymmetrical kitchen. 

• Assured Quality

With carpenter-made furniture, you know exactly what’s used in your space. From the quality of the wood (durable MDFs vs a cheaper ply) to the type of finish for your cabinets (matte, glossy or eggshell), you have ultimate control over the materials, especially if you’re handling the purchases yourself. You can also splurge just a little and get sustainable and VOC-free supplies. 

• Flexible Pricing

Often, if you know the carpenter and have a good relationship with him, you can negotiate a better deal. Carpenters are also more willing to accommodate additional design changes and alterations free of cost. 

Now that you know more about carpenter-made vs factory-made kitchens, have you decided the right option for you? Either way, our interior designers in Chennai can easily give you the kitchen you deserve!