The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Kitchen Materials

Published by: The Kitchen Studio

Date: November 2023

In kitchen design, there are so many considerations when choosing the materials that go into your project. You must keep in mind your lifestyle, preferences, and the overall aesthetic that you want to achieve. A well-designed kitchen should reflect you and suit your lifestyle and living needs.

PHOTOGRAPHY: @STEFBROWNPHOTO

How often are you in your space?

Light Use:

We define these as spaces that are not for your daily use and don’t get a lot of wear and tear. You can have fun with patterns, textures, and mixed materials. We love incorporating custom fluted panels, reeded panels, glass cabinets, and exotic wood veneers. There is also the opportunity to use more delicate counter and flooring materials like hand-crafted butcher's block, natural marble, and patterned floors. Keep in mind these materials typically require additional maintenance.

Regular Use:

We suggest custom cabinetry made from MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or hardwood with a flat or recessed door panel. Top off your new cabinets with scratch-resistant and easy-to-clean stone tops. Our most popular option is quartz, a manufactured stone material that can be cut to size for any space. In terms of flooring, we recommend engineered hardwoods, porcelain tiles, and luxury vinyl or SPC (stone plastic composite) planks.

PROJECT BY: @MYCITYHOMES

High Use:

When selecting materials for these spaces, durability, cleanability, and functionality need to be at the top of our minds. Your custom cabinets can be crafted out of solid hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut. You can even take it further and protect the edges with custom metal trims for impact resistance and style. On the counter, we would suggest a durable stone material such as quartz or sintered stone. These materials offer the beauty of a natural stone without maintenance. Your flooring should have similar properties, which is why we suggest a large format porcelain tile for the stone effect, or wide plank SPC (stone plastic composite) for the wood look.   

When choosing materials for your new kitchen, it's essential to discuss your daily needs for the space with your designer to ensure a beautiful and functional outcome!