Expressnews.com, via Kent Moore Cabinets - August 22nd, 2019

"Kitchen cabinet trends: paint ’em and keep ’em closed" - ExpressNews.com, via Kent Moore Cabinets kentmoorecabinets.com / kmc.net by Richard A. Marini

If the kitchen is the heart of the modern home, where friends and family tend to gravitate, then the cabinets should be as welcoming as the food and drink served there — while at the same time making the kitchen more efficient and easier to use.

Trends such as the moving up of open kitchen cabinets for displaying objects and the increasing popularity of oating shelves, multiple paint colors and nifty organizers all will make the kitchen a room you and your guests enjoy spending time in.

On ExpressNews.com: The top trends in high-end kitchen counter tops.

And if you hesitate to pick something trendy when committing to such a large expenditure, don’t, advises Kelly Parrish Walker, vice president marketing of Parrish & Co.

“Everything is a trend and, yes, trends change,” she said. “But you’re not going to have the same tastes in 10 years that you have today. So pick what you love today because you’re going to want to love the space you’re living in.”

Here’s a look at some of what’s new in kitchen cabinets:

Open kitchen cabinets: Cabinet boxes without doors appear to be losing their luster, at least when it comes to storing everyday dishes and glasses.

“We do a lot of kitchens, but I’m not hearing as many people say they’ve just got to have open shelving these days,” said Rodney Hill, with Hill Brothers Construction. “People ask about them, and maybe they’ll do an open wine rack. But I think people are getting tired of having to keep things clean and presentable all the time.”

An exception to this rule: millennials — at least those few who are in a position to buy a home and renovate the kitchen.

“While baby boomers might not want to get rid of grandma’s china collection that they’ve had for years, younger homeowners aren’t as nostalgic,” said Melven E. Belt., Jr., regional sales manager for the San Antonio of ce of Kent Moore Cabinets. “They don’t have or want multiple sets of dishes.”

Millennials don’t cook or entertain at home like their parents do, opting instead for takeout or Blue Apron instead. So they like the convenience of open cabinets where they can just grab what they need and go.

Older clients who want open cabinets are stacking them above the main cabinets more for display purposes.

“When kitchen ceilings are 9 or 10 feet high, there is plenty of room to add a second level of cabinets on top of the rst,” said Kyle Rowden, vice president of development for Kent

Kent Moore Cabinets, which is based in Bryan but has a showroom in Schertz. These upper cabinets store holiday dishes, like grandma’s Spode Thanksgiving china, or to display collectibles, small plants, even children’s artwork.

Floating shelves: These differ from open cabinets in that there are no cabinet boxes. Connected to the wall, these shelves appear to be suspended in midair.

While oating shelves have long been found in living rooms and bedrooms, they’re newer to the kitchen, according to Belt, and can often be found anking the vent hood above the stove. While oating shelving can hold everyday dishes, they’re more often used to display collectibles and other small items.

“The shelves accentuate the hood, making it pop,” he said. “But they also reduce the heft you’d have if you put more traditional cabinets there instead.”

Paint, don’t stain: Today’s kitchen cabinets are more likely to be painted than stained. Gray continues to be the go-to color, according to Parrish, although fresh blues, such as navy, are increasingly popular with trendy consumers.

But you don’t have to pick just one color for the whole kitchen, either. Upper cabinets could be a lighter color set off by darker lowers. Or it can mean painting the kitchen island or peninsula one color so they pop against the main cabinets painted a complementary color.

“I’m seeing people mixing different colors a lot more,” she said.

Gregory and Vanessa J-Douglas went this route when they recently renovated their Garden Ridge home. The large island is painted platinum gray while the rest of the cabinets are cappuccino brown.

“I like it so it’s not so matchy-matchy,” she said. “If everything was the same color, it’d be overwhelming.”

Organizers: Even after they select the cabinets, a homeowner’s job isn’t done. There are plenty of products that can be added to help keep the kitchen organized and running smoothly.

Hidden storage racks: Whether above the refrigerator or in that blind corner area under the counter, these shelving units make use of every square inch of space. Open the cabinet door
and the attached shelves pivot out, making it easier to nd what you’re looking for

Suggested retail prices, above the refrigerator, $304; counter corner, $946 from Rev- AShelf.

Plastic container storage: This two-level storage drawer makes wrangling all those reusable food containers a breeze. The upper half has adjustable clip-on dividers for storing the covers, the lower half has movable racks for organizing the container bottoms. From $286 from Rev-A-Shelf.

Double tiered cutlery organizer: Store twice as much cutlery, utensils and other items. From $123 from Rev-A-Shelf.

“Garage door” kitchen cabinet: Vertical lift doors raise and lower to hide countertop appliances such as toasters and mixers, keeping them out of sight but easy to access. From Kent Moore Cabinets, $250.

Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area.
Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini