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The kitchen has become the epicenter of today's American home. It is no longer just a room for meals. It is the main room for homework as well as keeping the family organized acting like a home office in many cases. And, it is where all the great stories from the day are shared with each other. Unlike other rooms, the furniture in a kitchen is pretty much stationary, not being able to move around. That is why one of the most important steps in designing a kitchen revolves around the cabinets. Cabinets in Salt Lake come in a variety of styles and designs when building a new kitchen or simply remodeling one that has seen better days. Materials and Styles There are a number of different materials and styles for kitchen cabinets. Traditionally, cabinets have been made wood, either solid wood or particle board with a wood veneer glued over top. Top-quality cabinets are made from plywood that can be stained or painted like solid wood. The plywood gives the cabinets the strength of solid wood while keeping the costs lower. The most common wood species used for cabinets are oak, cherry, or maple. Many designers will combine species to give accent to different areas such as doors or trim. There are more ways that trim to make wood cabinets unique. Doors are not limited to wood panels on hinges. Designs or different colors can be painted onto the center panels to accent the cabinet. They can have clear or frosted glass panels in the center or even metal panels with designs etched in them. Or, they do not even have to have doors. Many homeowners will leave some or all the cabinets without doors for a different look and use of use. Metal is another choice that is gaining popularity. Stainless steel appliances have been the trend for a few years and many homeowners are carrying that over to the cabinets. It gives the kitchen a more professional, modern look than wood and is more durable. The metal is formed around a solid core to keep it sturdy and prevent the doors from sounding hollow and clangy. Stainless cabinets work especially well in an outdoor kitchen because they are weather resistant. Like wood cabinets, other metals such as copper or nickel can be used to accent the metal look. And, like wood cabinets, metal cabinets can come in many styles. Many people will opt for wire shelves combined with the cabinets to give their kitchen a unique feel. Cabinet Use The most beautiful cabinets are almost useless without a proper plan for functionality. When designers plan a kitchen they use the term “workflow” to assess where everything will fit. Stove, sink and refrigerator are the core elements to workflow, each needing to be within a reasonable distance from the other to make a kitchen efficient. Add in a dishwasher and food pantry and the plan can get very confusing. Certain cabinets are designated for a certain use within the workflow triangle. Drawers for utensils or spices as well as storage space for pots and pans need to be close to the stove for quick access. Cabinets for dishes and serving pieces are placed outside of the triangle, nearer to the dishwasher or sink for easy access after being cleaned. The newest trend is to make the cabinets as easy to access as possible. Low or deep cabinets use full extension glides to allow the full shelf to be extended, providing access to the back. Drawers also use the glides so utensils do not get buried in the back never to be used again. Corner cabinets get spinners inside to allow users to reach everything stored in them. There are so many ways to make a home unique to the family that lives there. And, the kitchen is one room where that uniqueness can really shine. Whether it is the appliances, counters or cabinets, Salt Lake residents have many opportunities to put their personalized stamp on their home.
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