The European style kitchen cabinets emerged as a response to the limited available domestic space in Spain, England, and Italy. Given the smaller size of European apartments and flats compared to typical American houses, it became necessary to design kitchens that could efficiently cater to the daily activities of residents without compromising functionality. European kitchens prioritized utility and efficiency over embellishment, ensuring that every aspect of the space, including kitchen cabinets, was meticulously chosen to maximize its potential. Designers in the European style developed a unique approach to cabinetry construction, finishing techniques, and the use of durable materials.
This post explores key design characteristics of European-style kitchen cabinets, helping you assess whether their emphasis on practicality and sleek aesthetics aligns with your home.
European cabinets are characterized by their streamlined and frameless aesthetics. Due to their fundamental structure, which securely situates them within the cabinet framework, these cabinets often give the impression of being discreetly concealed. In their design, European cabinets intentionally steer clear of center stiles, the central pieces of wood typically found on cabinets.
Compared to their American counterparts, European kitchen cabinets tend to embody a sleeker and more contemporary style. A notable feature of European kitchen cabinet design is the absence of a frame, a characteristic commonly seen in American cabinets. This frameless approach contributes to a “seamless” appearance, effectively hiding the complete frame of the cabinet.
European cabinets often feature a frameless design and concealed hinges. This configuration enhances storage capacity within the cabinet, making it a favored option for small kitchenettes or bathrooms. European house kitchen cabinets successfully blend practicality with elegance. The design is marked by a complete overlay that covers the entire cabinet front. This, among other attributes, has significantly contributed to the widespread popularity of European kitchen cabinets, especially in compact kitchen spaces.
While originating in Europe, cabinets in the European style have gained global presence. If you are looking to give your kitchen a modern transformation, consider investing in a set of these stylish cabinets.
Lacquering, a traditional finishing technique, plays a pivotal role in achieving the exceptionally glossy look of European-style cabinets. Shellac serves as the protective coating material, available in a spectrum of hues ranging from colored wood to a transparent finish. The primary purpose of lacquer is to establish a protective layer following the treatment and application of additional finishes.
If your aim is to maintain the original appearance of your kitchen cabinets while introducing a glossy sheen, lacquering is a suitable option. Lacquer dries to an exceptionally hard and resilient finish, enabling European-style kitchen cabinets to endure for extended periods without succumbing to damage or deterioration. The choice between a matte or glossy appearance largely hinges on the specific lacquer finish employed.
Opting for laminates presents a cost-effective approach to achieving a high gloss finish for cabinets. Given its widespread availability and an array of color options, laminates are frequently employed in the creation of European design kitchen cabinets, offering ample room for customization.
In the context of European kitchen cabinet design, laminates are commonly applied over the cabinet surface material, typically composed of MDF, plywood, or particle board. The lamination process involves the use of pressure, heat, and adhesives to securely affix the material, ensuring resistance to peeling or chipping. High-Pressure Laminates (HPL) are notably more prevalent in most modular kitchen cabinet designs, especially in the production of bespoke high gloss kitchen cabinets. This preference stems from their enhanced resilience, durability, and resistance to damage, positioning HPL on par with robust countertops in terms of strength.
The acrylic finish, reminiscent of lacquer, imparts a high gloss sheen, mirror-like appearance, and a seamlessly smooth aesthetic to European design kitchen cabinets. Acrylic, a non-toxic paint primarily composed of acrylic acid, is available in two main forms for kitchen cabinetry finishes: acrylic-facing doors and solid acrylic doors.
European-style cabinets, adorned with an acrylic high gloss surface, not only enhance visual appeal but also offer numerous advantages. Beyond creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, these cabinets exhibit remarkable resilience to wear and tear from daily use. The multi-layered acrylic finish provides an anti-scratch surface that surpasses other materials, along with resistance to moisture, UV radiation, and scratches. Maintenance is minimal, requiring only light soap and water for cleaning. Above all, acrylic kitchen cabinets maintain their mirror-like appearance, color, and brightness for years without degradation.
Foils, also referred to as Thermofoil, represent a synthetic material primarily composed of a plastic covering and flexible vinyl. Typically, heat is employed to affix Thermofoils to cabinet materials like engineered wood or medium-density fiberboard, resulting in an exceptionally robust, long-lasting, and chip-resistant surface for kitchen cabinets.
Opting for Thermofoil as a cabinet finish offers several advantages, with one of the primary attractions being its low maintenance requirements. In contrast to many other finishing materials, Thermofoil can stand alone without the need for an additional protective covering. Additionally, Thermofoils exhibit high moisture resistance, enabling them to withstand humidity and temperature variations with ease.
Melamine stands as a prevalent polymeric material in contemporary home cabinets, known for its exceptional durability and an extensive array of colors and patterns. When bonded with plywood, melamine emerges as the most environmentally friendly choice for cabinets. Designers leverage its consistent coloring capabilities to craft modern minimalist designs at an affordable cost.
The versatility of melamine extends to various cabinetry designs and types, encompassing both framed and frameless options. This diversity allows you to effortlessly choose a melamine cabinet that aligns with your requirements and aesthetic preferences.
Veneers play a crucial role in imparting a natural aspect to European design kitchen cabinets. Similar to laminates, veneers are lightweight materials composed of thin slices of wood applied over a substrate element, creating the illusion of genuine solid wood.
Veneers are particularly well-suited for European-style cabinets aiming to evoke a warm and welcoming ambiance.
For those desiring a sleek and minimalist design in their modern kitchen, European-style contemporary high gloss kitchen cabinets prove to be an ideal choice. These modern high gloss Euro-style cabinets are straightforward, visually appealing, and provide excellent storage. They deliver aesthetics without compromising on practicality.
