kitchen – Page 3 – Fully Assembled Premium Cabinetry

How To Design The Perfect Patio for Year-Round Entertaining

What if you could enjoy the best of your backyard all year long? Summer is the season to celebrate the outdoors, but there’s no reason why you can’t use your patio long after Labor Day. Here are the things you need to design a patio that can be savored throughout all of the seasons.

Ensure your outdoor space can withstand all types of weather.

The materials you use when designing your patio are the deciding factor in whether your outdoor space can stand strong against the elements. From flooring to a backsplash for your bar cabinets, make sure you are selecting frost resistant tile that is manufactured for outdoor applications. Having a full outdoor kitchen with bar cabinets and a kitchen island will definitely help you utilize your outdoor space more — just make sure it’s designed to withstand all types of weather.

Warm things up when the weather drops.

Being able to heat things up when temperatures drop allows you to enjoy your outdoor space well after summer ends. An outdoor fireplace or fire pit is the favorable option, because it gives your guests a place to gather as well as keep warm. Who is ready to toast some S’mores by the fire? Supplement with outdoor heaters to help you keep your entire patio warm on crisp days and chilly nights.

Pick weather-resistant furniture that can last through any season.

Make sure that your patio furniture is as weatherproof as it is stylish. Teak and resin wicker are both great picks for outdoor furniture. If your current patio furniture isn’t weather-resistant, you may be able to weatherproof it yourself by applying marine varnish. Also make it a habit of bringing in outdoor pillows and cushions during harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow.

Make your patio feel like home to visiting guests.

No perfect patio is complete without the ultimate unifying experience of having your friends and family over. Use some of the extra storage in your kitchen island or bar cabinets to keep blankets and extra throw pillows. When nights on your patio are always warm and cozy, guests will feel right at home.

Keep the party going well after the sun sets.

Soon the long days of summer will come to an end and it will begin to get darker much earlier. By fully equipping your backyard and patio with lighting, you can enjoy your outdoor space even after the sun sets. Not sure where to start? Place path markers wherever guests will need to navigate from your home to your patio. Then illuminate the main area, such as your outdoor table and chairs, with spotlights. For a little extra glow and ambiance, hang some string lights around your patio.

Keep the pool open all year long.

Water activities aren’t only reserved for summer. When your backyard boasts a hot tub, you will want to go for a soak even when fall has fully arrived. Thankfully, you don’t need a lot of space to add this water attraction to your home. Even houses with small backyards can accommodate a hot tub. Are you ready to take a dip?

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors – Pros, Cons and Are They Right for You?

Glass-front kitchen cabinet doors are appealing to homeowners on many levels as they can make it easier to find things, elevate what’s inside to home décor status, make a smaller room look larger… you get the idea.

And wouldn’t you know it—there are a few different types of glass cabinet doors to choose from, offering a number of ways to utilize them in your space. Let’s take a look at the different types of glass cabinet doors, their pros and cons, and when they may be the perfect fit for your home.

Types of Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Glass-front kitchen cabinet doors just happen to come in many styles. A few of the most popular include:

Clear, Full-View Glass Cabinet Doors:

Balancing function with looks, clear cabinet doors mean one thing – goods on display. This, in itself, can be a great thing; however, it can also be limiting, depending on needs and style.
Fluted/Reeded Glass Cabinet Doors:

Slightly blurred, the contents behind fluted-glass doors will be somewhat obscure, yet still seen.
Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors:

While glass, these cabinet doors are more opaque and cloudy, almost completely blocking the view of what’s inside the cabinets.
Seeded Glass-Front Cabinet Doors:

Different size “bubbles” give a wavy appearance and look like vintage, hand-blown glass.
Leaded-Glass Cabinet Doors:

Used to achieve a dramatic look, leaded-glass is much more decorative and often comes as a theme or specific style. These are popular in built-ins and hutches.

Pros and Cons of Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Adding elements of elegance and luxury to any space, glass-front kitchen cabinet doors have really become a popular trend with many homeowners. There are both pros and cons to this style of cabinet door, and depending on your lifestyle, you’ll either love them or decide to go a different direction. Let’s delve.

Pros of Glass Kitchen Cabinet Doors:

Give the illusion of more space, allowing for an open and airy feel (similar to the appeal of open shelves) while still providing a protective door
A showcase for statement pieces
Busy chefs will always know where to find everything (unless doors are frosted glass)
They’re gorgeous, modern and knock-it-out-of-the-park chic

Cons of Glass Kitchen Cabinet Doors:

Get out the window cleaner – these cabinet doors need to be cleaned often
Possible viewable clutter – depending on space and contents
Susceptible to cracks and breakage (not always kid-friendly)
If dishes don’t match and styles run the gamut, they may not be a fit

Are Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors for You?

Glass-front kitchen cabinets make a statement and bring a stunning balance to a room full of wood, tile and metal. So, unless you have mix and match dishware, you’re prone to slamming doors and tap, tap, tapping on glass, we say go for it!

Things to consider in your decision:

Only choose glass-front doors for upper cabinets; if your kitchen needs a little more light, but you’re not sure how to do this, installing lights inside your cabinets and adding glass-front doors can do the trick.

If you’re still indecisive, a fun, trendy idea is to blend – have a mix of glass-front cabinet doors and traditional cabinet doors in your kitchen. This way, you can hide away those items you don’t want to be seen—but still have them within easy reach—and showcase your statement pieces.

How to Create Contrasting Textures in Your Kitchen Décor

When it comes to creating contrasting textures in your kitchen design and décor, there are countless areas where you can get creative and have a lot of fun doing it. Cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, walls and flooring are great places to incorporate contrasting textures and add rich depth to your kitchen.

What Do We Mean by “Contrasting Textures?”

Contrasting textures can mean many things: it can be as simple as pairing rough with smooth or mixing natural wood against metals. An example of this is to take natural, unvarnished cabinets and contrast them against white quartz countertops. You can also create beautiful, contrasting textures by pairing different geometric shapes together, such as sharp, angled corners with smooth, rounded surfaces.

Benefit of Contrasting Textures in Kitchen Design

Texture not only adds visual weight and depth to a space, but it also complements the overall design of a room. In the kitchen, it can convey a specifc theme and feeling to your space. Whether you’re trying to create a warm and cozy kitchen, or you’re looking to go more rustic and natural, chic and sophisticated or create some other vibe personal to you, contrasting textures are an ideal way to convey those styles.

Trendy Ways to Add Contrasting Texture to Your Kitchen

Now to our favorite part… ideas! When it comes to the kitchen, one thing to remember is this is a room that needs to be easily cleanable, and therefore, you’ll want to stay as smooth as possible. No worries – these days, it’s easier than ever to create contrasting textures in your kitchen while keeping the room a breeze to clean. Take a look at a few of our favorite ideas for contrasting textures in your kitchen.

Pair brassware against smooth, white sinks and marble countertops: The chic, industrial style of white and marble warms up fast when paired with brassware, creating a warm and cozy space. Your friends and family will always want to know who your designer was in creating this design.
Combine natural wood with concrete: Concrete surfaces have come a long way when it comes to interior design. In the kitchen, pairing wooden furniture with concrete surfaces exudes style and ease. Something really fun to think about here is how to accessorize. See below for fresh ideas.
Complement glass-fronted cabinets with a subway tile backsplash: This somewhat understated idea packs a style punch and looks especially fantastic in a white kitchen. Complement the overall look of your white kitchen with white, plank flooring.
Match shaker-style cabinets with a geometric backsplash: Adding contrasting textures to a country-style or more traditional kitchen can be achieved by pairing shaker-style cabinets (painted a deep, solid color like navy) with a geometric backsplash. Bring it all together with a backsplash that has a hint of the cabinet color.
Create texture with bold, kitchen walls: Whether you want to make one wall a bold focal point in the room that stands out beautifully against the other walls, or you want to paint your walls a rich, deep color and add contrasting cladding to areas of the room, going bold will always make a statement.

How to Accessorize a Kitchen with Contrasting Textures

Sometimes, it really is about the little things. When it comes to accessorizing, there are simple ways to really make the space radiate. We’ve come up with a couple of ideas to help you figure out your accessories for a kitchen with contrasting textures. And remember this: in general, less is more.

For white and natural kitchens full of different, smooth textures, it’s great to accessorize with pops of color (cutting boards, small appliances, potted plants, etc…). This is a great way to add more depth to the kitchen.
For kitchens that are already pretty colorful, minimal accessories are the best option so as not to look too busy. Having optimal cabinet space and storage is great to achieve this in your space. Opt for a couple stand out pieces.

How to Mix Open Shelving with Your Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchens that feature a combination of open shelving and closed cabinets are becoming increasingly popular. If you don’t like the idea of hiding all of your kitchen items behind closed doors or having to clutter your counters, then mixing open shelving with your kitchen cabinets may be the perfect design solution for you.

Not only does this mix add a fresh look, providing some open spaces and additional areas to display your unique style, but it’s also practical for storage and creating additional space.

Open Shelving Kitchen Ideas

Would you love to use open shelving in your kitchen but aren’t sure how to best incorporate them with your cabinets so that your kitchen has a uniform, polished look? Check out the open shelving kitchen ideas below to inspire your creativity.

1. Add Shelving in Select Spaces

To incorporate some shelves, you can remove some upper cabinets and replace them with shelves. Shelves are also great to place in otherwise hard-to-reach areas, making them more accessible.

You can also install an open shelf across a window. This will enable you to create additional storage space without having to give up the coveted natural light that comes through the window.

2. Place Items You Use Daily on Open Shelves

Keeping items you use frequently on open shelves provides easy access to them when you need them and also makes it easy for guests to grab what they need without having to search through cabinets.

For example, bowls, plates and mugs are ideal for storing on shelves, while items that aren’t used often, such as vases, can be kept in cabinets or on the tops of cabinets.

3. Mix in Decor Items on Your Shelves

Have fun mixing in some of your favorite objects on your open shelves as well. Display cherished accessories, art and framed photos to add some personality and color to your kitchen’s overall design.

4. Match Shelves to Your Kitchen Cabinets

Matching shelves to your kitchen cabinets provides a cohesive and uncluttered look. For example, if you have all white kitchen cabinets, you can choose to go with all white shelves and if you have slate grey cabinets (as pictured above), slate grey shelving provides a rich look.

However, if you want to add in pops of color in an elegant way, you can go with colored shelves that complement your cabinets and seamlessly blend in with the rest of your kitchen decor. Or, stick with one color for both cabinets and shelves, and be deliberate about displaying colorful items on your shelves. For example, colorful mugs, bowls and accessories will add beauty, color and personality to your kitchen in a subtle way.

5. Add Fun Design Elements

Open shelves provide the opportunity to add interesting design elements to a space. For example, you can paint the wall or use decorative wallpaper behind the shelves to add color or incorporate a fun pattern. You might also want to accessorize the shelves with different types of brackets and hanging systems to blend in other design elements.

The combination of open shelves and cabinets is ideal for kitchens but also works beautifully in other spaces, particularly mud rooms and bathrooms! If you need help designing a mix of open shelving and cabinets in your kitchen or another area of your home, use our free online room design tool to get started creating a modern, functional space with storage solutions that work best for you.

5 Details Buyers Look For When Purchasing A Home

When it comes to what buyers want when purchasing a new home, there are a few details that stand out the most. Whether you are the owner of an investment property or thinking of selling your home soon, here are five features that will help you sell your home faster.

1. High-End Kitchen

Buyers are quickly mesmerized when they walk into a home and find new all wood cabinetry and an updated high-end kitchen.

If your home is lacking kitchen appeal, consider making some cosmetic updates that will be more attractive to buyers. When a buyer feels like they are walking into a time machine, it is usually a turn off. Modern all wood cabinetry, solid surface countertops, and a fresh color palette can make a huge difference.

In addition to new cabinets, minor changes like painting walls, installing a kitchen backsplash, or replacing light fixtures and hardware can also improve the look and feel of your kitchen. There’s no need to embark on a complete demolition to make your kitchen feel like a high-end kitchen.

2. New Appliances

New appliances are another detail that today’s buyers want most. Old appliances date the home while new appliances will instantly make your property feel more modern. When homebuyers see shiny new appliances, they get a little sparkle in their eye as well.

Homebuyers also like to see that your home is energy efficient, because this will translate into lower utility bills. If you are going to replace your appliances before selling your property, opt for energy efficient models.

3. Separate Laundry Room

An organized place to sort, clean and fold clothes may seem insignificant compared to other details in the home — but it is actually one of the most wanted features for buyers. This is good news to homeowners, because updating a laundry room is a relatively small-scale project in terms of cost. Be sure to include cabinets for storing laundry essentials and a place to hang dry clothing.

If your home doesn’t already boast a separate laundry room, a basement or garage is a good place to set one up. First, these spaces are probably relatively empty. And second, you likely already have utility lines there. These logical perks can help make the project easy and inexpensive. Converting a hallway closet into a laundry room is another common way to achieve a private laundry room when you have limited space.

4. Well-Maintained Backyard

Does your home have a backyard with a deck or patio? This is a major selling point for potential homebuyers. Especially if the area is maintained and well landscaped. Before showing your property, make sure your yard is on par, whether that’s simply adding some new sod or a few flowers and plants.

Potential buyers will envision what life would be like with a backyard of their own to enjoy. They might dream up an outdoor kitchen for entertaining or a place for their kids to play. Either way, a little investment in your landscaping could help your home sell faster.

5. Wood-Look Floors

Most people prefer hardwood floors to carpeting, so having this feature in your home is definitely a plus. However, genuine hardwood floors can be expensive. Smart homeowners turn to wood-look tile or luxury vinyl to achieve the same look for less. In fact, many buyers prefer these options to genuine hardwood floors because they are more resistant to water, scratches, and stains.

What To Look For When Purchasing Quality Cabinets

Style, quality, and value are three important words that come to mind when shopping for all wood cabinetry. But how do you know if you’re really getting stylish, quality cabinets at a good value? Here are a few key details to look for.

Home And Kitchen Cabinet Finishes

When building or remodeling a home, the cabinetry you choose needs to have a durable finish to stand up to daily use in spaces like the bath, laundry room, TV room, or home office. With that said, no room sees more action than the kitchen. It’s truly the heart of any home. That is why strong, factory kitchen cabinet finishes are especially important. Willow Lane Cabinetry offers painted, glazed and stained cabinets for nearly every room in the home, including the kitchen. Some even come with a catalytic conversion topcoat and UV protection!

Full Overlay Cabinet Doors

When shopping for all wood cabinetry, look for full overlay cabinet doors with premium construction. Solid hardwood face and doorframes with all plywood box, I-beam construction should encompass every cabinet. Dovetailed drawer boxes should come standard with undermount, soft close, full extension glides. At Willow lane Cabinetry, there are no assembly lines. We don’t believe in mass production. Our custom cabinets are built to order every time, and arrive fully assembled, with the standard features and fine details that add value to your home.

Expert Room Design Services

When purchasing quality cabinets, you want to be sure that the style you choose will look good in your home. Willow Lane Cabinetry has a vast selection of cabinet styles and finishes, and nearly all the accessories you need to make your dream room a reality. Best of all, we offer free online kitchen and room design services with a custom layout, a photorealistic rendering, and an itemized list of what you will need and what it will cost. The secret to that magazine-quality look is just a few clicks away, and at no extra cost to you. How is that for value?

When purchasing quality cabinets for your new home or remodeling project, remember these words: style, quality, and value. Then look no further! Give Willow Lane Cabinetry a call today or contact us via email, and get started on designing the home of your dreams.

The 7 Hallmarks Of Modern Kitchen Design

Contemporary kitchens have become a popular choice among homebuyers and those looking to update their houses. Modern kitchen design is sleek, stylish and sophisticated. Although all contemporary kitchens are unique, there are a few consistent features that reappear throughout the majority of modern kitchen design. Here are few features you may want to take into consideration when purchasing a new home or to include when updating your kitchen.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel appliances and kitchen hoods are a staple for chic kitchens. Not only is stainless steel tasteful and elegant, but also it is easy to clean and nearly impossible to clash with. Stainless steel pieces add consistency and structure to a kitchen, making them the ultimate hallmark of modern kitchen design. Opt for classic or black stainless steel in contemporary kitchens.

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are a trademark for contemporary kitchens because of their prominent nature and functional purpose. A focal point for any kitchen and a notable aspect of the overall layout, Islands have become increasingly popular over the last few decades. They offer countless benefits, including additional storage, extra seating potential, and extended workspace. Today, kitchen islands are extremely common — more and more homeowners are incorporating these modern fixtures into their homes.

Open Concept Floor Plans

Kitchen islands are usually a key feature coinciding with open concept floor plans. Open concept plans eliminate structures, such as doors and walls, creating a better flow throughout the home. They usually connect the dining and TV rooms to the kitchen, creating one great room. Open concept floor plans have become increasingly popular in this day and age, because they give the illusion of a larger space and allow for easy entertaining. If you enjoying hosting, considering adding a home bar to your modern kitchen design as well.

Undermount Sinks

Undermount sinks are sinks installed beneath countertops. Since the bed of the sink rests below the surface of the counter, there is a continuous progression from the counter into the sink. These types of stainless steel sinks are ideal for contemporary kitchens. They make efficient use of space, are simple to clean, and flaunt a neat aesthetic. If you prefer a fully seamless look for your modern kitchen design, opt for a solid surface Acrylic countertop with an integrated sink.

Custom Cabinets

Modern kitchen design is all about clean and uncluttered presentation. Custom cabinets are ideal for hiding an unsightly trashcan and maintaining an organized space. They are also necessary for creating a perfectly fitting layout. Custom cabinets can be designed to efficiently work around appliances like refrigerators, ovens and microwaves, ensuring your kitchen is completely uniform and takes advantage of the square footage available.

Excellent Lighting

Dimly lit kitchens are a thing of the past. Whether it’s immense windows, extravagant chandeliers, or both, contemporary kitchens boast great lighting. Pendant lights or chandeliers are typically found above kitchen islands, and recessed cans in the ceiling offer additional illumination. Large windows are also common and provide natural lighting to fill your whole home with sunshine. Just be sure to keep window coverings to a minimum.

Neutral Color

Neutral colors in shades of white, grey, brown and black are vital for contemporary kitchens. Whether sleek and subtle or rich and dramatic, neutral shades are high-class, clean and simple, making them perfect for current kitchen walls, cabinets and drawers.

24 Of Our Favorite Quotes About The Kitchen

The laid-back summer season is officially here, and dream kitchens are swirling around your head like a cool summer breeze. As you work on your renovation project plan for your new high-end kitchen with custom cabinets, here are a few of our favorite quotes for inspiration.

Good food and a warm kitchen are what makes a house a home. — Rachael Ray

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It evokes memories of your family history. —Debi Mazar

No matter what the recipe, any baker can do wonders in the kitchen with some good ingredients and an upbeat attitude! — Buddy Valastro

Baking is how you start kids at cooking in the kitchen. —Sandra Lee

If I walked into the kitchen without washing my hands as a kid, I’d hear a loud ‘A-hem!’ from my mother or grandmother. Now I count on other people to do the same. — Maya Angelou

The best way to get anybody’s attention is dinner. — Al Roker

A kitchen without a knife is not a kitchen. — Masaharu Morimoto

The kitchen’s a laboratory, and everything that happens there has to do with science. —Alton Brown

I always had a fantasy of being a chef, because I like kitchen life. — Geoffrey Rush

Some of the best kitchen discoveries come about through total kitchen disasters. — Zac Posen

I’m such a short little thing, I can’t reach my kitchen cabinets. — Dolly Parton

My comfort zone is in a kitchen. — Antoni Porowski

Cooking allows you to have travels, adventures and journeys without going anywhere. — Ted Allen

I go out to the kitchen to feed the dog, but that’s about as much cooking as I do. — Betty White

Since my kitchen is the most important part of my home, I want to be creative and innovative, not only in its aesthetic, but also in the tools that I’m using to cook. — Blake Lively

Onions and bacon cooking up just makes your kitchen smell so good. In fact, one day I’m going to come up with a room deodorizer that smells like bacon and onions. It’s a fabulous smell. — Paula Deen

There has always been a happy symbiotic relationship between kitchen and bar. Simply put, the kitchen wants booze, and the bartender wants food. — Anthony Bourdain

You know how people love to come and watch you in the kitchen now and talk your ear off? If you give them something to do and something to drink, they don’t do that as much. — Chrissy Teigen

For me, relationships are the real action movies. Bombs are exploding every day and the kitchen is Ground Zero. — Michelle Williams

When designing a kitchen, always keep in mind the social aspect. — Michael Mina

They used to tease me at the Oprah show, ‘Are you really going to do another white Shaker kitchen, with white subway tile and stainless steel appliances?’ And my answer is, ‘I can vary it a bit, but I’m never going to err from classic materials.’ — Nate Berkus

If you look at the statistics, people spend most of their time in the kitchen. Aside from the backyard, it’s one of my favorite places to renovate. — Vanilla Ice

There are a million studies that say the money you put into a kitchen and bath update you get back. That’s one of those places you can’t go wrong. It can be as simple as updating counters and a backsplash. — Candice Olson

It’s amazing the relationships you forge in a kitchen. — Alex Guarnaschelli

5 Ways To Add A Splash Of Summer Style To Your Kitchen

Summer is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to enjoy beach bonfires, water balloon fights, and days filled with sunshine. Just as our schedules are often changing with each passing month, so are seasonal home trends. Luckily, there are tons of simple ways to embrace the upbeat summer style this year — especially in your kitchen.

Bring the outdoors in with flowers and greenery.

Simply incorporating flowers, plants, or greenery into the kitchen will add a touch of summer style to your home. A colorful vase of daisies on your kitchen island, potted herbs on your windowsill, or an indoor tree in an empty corner will go a long way.

Feel free to get creative with how you display your plants this summer. Try decorating old pots with nautical roping or topping soil with colorful river rocks. For lovely summer centerpieces that don’t require much upkeep, add succulents and moss to a glass jar, or fill a clear vase with sand and seashells.

Repaint your kitchen with summer-inspired color.

If you want to fully commit to the summer style, consider repainting your kitchen walls with a light and airy color. Not only will a fresh coat of paint illuminate the space, but it will also provide a clean canvas for further decorating. Repainting smaller detailing such as wooden trim or a pantry door is also a great way to incorporate fun, summer-inspired paint colors without drastically changing your kitchen’s style. While you’re at it, swap out old kitchen knobs for new finishes that will highlight your freshly painted walls, and install a complimentary tile backsplash.

Incorporate artwork and textures that celebrates the best of the season.

If your kitchen lacks art, or your artwork is mundane and unsuitable for the lively summer season, consider integrating some adventurous pieces to your kitchen. Colorful coastal scenes, seashell sketches, and tasteful nautical drafts are easy to find and fun to play with. Natural textures for the kitchen include sisal or jute area rugs, woven seagrass baskets, linen window treatments, and burlap table runners.

Add pattern with classic summer prints.

Nothing says summer like a whimsical starfish tablecloth or a palm tree dishtowel. Beach prints are a playful way to decorate for summer and are easy to incorporate in the kitchen. If you prefer a more traditional print, stripes are a simple and classic option that is easy to find and always in style. Blue and white stripes are an emblem of summer and perfect for any kitchen, especially if you have white kitchen cabinet finishes. Just make sure to stick to one print and pick colors that complement the overall theme.

Liven up a dark or monotone kitchen with bright pops of color.

If prints are a bit too overwhelming for your space, consider adding some bright pops of color. Solid hues complement more kitchen cabinet finishes, so you won’t have to worry about prints clashing with existing materials. Adding a few turquoise or coral placemats to your kitchen island is a great way to bring the season into your home without completely redecorating. Bright blues, pinks and yellows are all great options for adding bold accents while still maintaining a subtle atmosphere.

Comparing Kitchen Island Styles And Shapes

You may think that if you’ve seen one kitchen island, you’ve seen them all. But this popular kitchen element has a lot more layers than you can believe. From a variety of styles to a wide range of shapes, there are many different options available to homeowners. Narrow down your choices to reveal the kitchen island of your dreams with this comparison of the different kitchen island styles and shapes.

Galley Island

If you try to imagine a kitchen island in your mind, the style that probably appears is a galley island. This is your standard, rectangular kitchen island that stands in the middle of an open concept kitchen. You can walk around it entirely because it doesn’t connect to any walls or furniture. This style usually accommodates bar-style seating on one side.

While a galley island may be traditional or common, it is extremely functional and is designed to carry a lot of the weight in a kitchen. Housing the sink and dishwasher or a kitchen range, you’ll typically find one large appliance installed into a galley island.

L-Shaped Island

When choosing custom cabinets, especially for a larger kitchen, you may decide you want to expand your kitchen design to include an L-shaped island. This style provides additional storage and countertop space by taking advantage of any available square footage in your kitchen. Its formation is meant to follow the flow of your kitchen cabinets, standing parallel along each side.

If cooking is your passion and your kitchen is often a busy workstation, an L-shaped island may be the perfect style for you. But if you prefer a more open concept design, this style may provide too many barriers and feel too spread out for your liking.

U-Shaped or Circular Island

The U-shaped island is similar to the L-shaped island in that it follows the flow of your kitchen and is more suited for larger homes. Its pros and cons are predominantly the same — you gain storage and prep space in exchange for a more open concept design.

Similarly, a circular island exists that eliminates the corners of the U-shaped island for a completely rounded design. A circular island is one of the less common choices when it comes to kitchen islands. But this unique design can be the perfect fit in certain modern designs. In order for this type of island to maintain its functionality, you will have to have custom cabinets created to work with the unusual shape.

Portable Island or Cart

If you love the look of a kitchen island but have a smaller home or are a renter, a portable island or cart is a great alternative. This portable piece of furniture can be positioned anywhere in the room and can even be tucked away on demand. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, many even with the capability for bar seating. You will find some varieties with wheels for easy navigation and others that resemble freestanding furniture (like a bookshelf or buffet table).

Not that you know all of the different styles and shapes of kitchen islands, which type will you choose for your home?

Types of Glass-Front Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Clear, Full-View Glass Cabinet Doors:

Fluted/Reeded Glass Cabinet Doors:

Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors:

Seeded Glass-Front Cabinet Doors:

Leaded-Glass Cabinet Doors: