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Cabinetry Customization
Tops Design Trends in 2006
Content and photos courtesy of Aristokraft Cabinetry
Furniture-inspired embellishments, rich finishes, the simplicity of Shaker and Mission décor, as well as consumers’ desire for increased space and organized living
are driving this year’s cabinetry design trends and new product introductions according to design experts at Aristokraft Cabinetry, a leading manufacturer of stock cabinetry.
“Whether constructing a new home or rethinking a current home design, consumers’ design inspiration for their kitchen and at times for adjacent rooms is driven by their
cabinetry choice,” says Cathy Hitz, senior brand manager of Aristokraft Cabinetry. “Other surfacing choices and design appointments are often an afterthought to the cabinets. We’ll
see products in 2006 that are designed to complement the trends we’re seeing in cabinetry such as flooring, appliances, countertops and even entryway doors.”
Opting for Organization
While the look and style of kitchen cabinets remain a major consideration, consumers’ choices are increasingly driven by what lies inside the cabinets. No longer satisfied
with a four-sided box, consumers want to make the most efficient use of every nook and cranny, and they want to do it logically.
In fact, MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., recently conducted research with consumers in Los Angeles, Boston and Kansas City and discovered that wasted space is a dirty word; consumers
want to fill in all possible surfaces in the kitchen with storage solutions. They want to get control of their pots and pans, platters, cereal boxes, cleaning bottles and all the other things
that take up space in their kitchens. And they want those items stored where it makes sense – in the areas where the items will actually be used.
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Robin Harder, principal of Harder Custom Builders, Ltd., a successful builder of custom homes in New Mexico, works very closely with her customers in selecting everything for the
kitchen from the cabinets to the fixtures. “It’s often a long process to determine storage needs and our customers want to be aware of all the options available when the kitchen is
designed,” says Harder. “Drawers and pullouts are taking center stage in organization, and homeowners want accessories that are designed for specific things they need to store such
as trash bins, pots and pans and even spices.”
Aristokraft has introduced a new line of storage accessories called Organization Solutions that provides many new storage options for customization at a fraction of the cost of
custom cabinetry. The new SuperCabinet™, Roll-Out Bases with Lid Organizer, Pots & Pans Pullout and Wood Utensil Organizer are just a few of the latest examples.
Accentuating with Accents
Consumers’ expectations have evolved from appreciating customization to demanding it for their home, and manufacturers such as Aristokraft Cabinetry will continue to satisfy demand with
products designed for customization, easy upgrades and embellishments that lend an air of personalization to the kitchen. Aristokraft has already introduced several accent choices and has expanded
the collection for 2006 to include elegant overlays, various-sized corbels and French legs.
“Our customers like the customization opportunity that embellishments offer, and it’s our responsibility as home builders to incorporate fun, interesting elements based
on the style of the home,” says Harder. “We are spending more and more time with our customers choosing just the right accents for ultimate customization, such as unique corbels mounted
into the counter design or a decorative wood cooktop hood cover.”
Decorating with Doors
Wood remains the material of choice for cabinets and the appeal of Shaker, Mission and Prairie décor has spurred requests for a return to cleaner, simpler lines and richer
finishes. Simple, plain-front door styles and finishes such as Aristokraft’s new Saddle and Rouge on cherry have been introduced as a response to this growing trend.
“Simple, plain-front doors are appropriate for blending contemporary and traditional styling for a transitional-style kitchen,” says Hitz. “Door fronts are as
much about fashion as they are about function for the homeowner and a transitional-style door front vastly increases their design possibilities.”
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