Making your kitchen look and feel better is a top priority for most home-owners. Among these different options, the melamine kitchen cabinets has been popular because of their special combination of design, durability and affordability. In this in-depth guide, we’ll discuss all about melamine cabinets, their uses, and how they will make your kitchen into an attractive and functional space.
What are melamine cabinets?
Melamine cabinets are made out of a tough and durable material called melamine-faced chipboard. It’s composed of wood or fibers coated with resin to create a firm solid base. This is then covered with melamine, a thermosetting plastic that gives a shiny, smooth, and watertight surface.
Melamine cabinets can look like wood or other materials, so they can be used for many different types of design. Melamine cabinets can transform into any style, contemporary or modern, and classic or rustic, with a variety of colors, textures and finishes.
Benefits of melamine kitchen cabinets
- Durability: Perhaps the biggest benefit of melamine kitchen cabinets is their durability. The melamine laminate surface resists scratches, stains, moisture, and heat effectively keeping your cabinets looking perfect for decades to come. This makes them a great option for busy homes or large kitchens.
- Low Maintenance: Melamine cabinets are super easy to clean. Because they have a non-porous finish, dirt and grease don’t accumulate and are easily cleaned with a moist sponge or mild soap. The ease of maintenance frees you from labor and keeps your kitchen looking great.
- Cost-Effective: Unlike other cabinet materials, such as solid wood or high-quality laminates, melamine cabinets are inexpensive without sacrificing either look or quality. That’s why they are great for budget-conscious homeowners who want a functional yet attractive kitchen.
- Versatility: Melamine cabinets are available in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes, allowing you to develop a harmonious, custom-designed kitchen look. Modern and clean to warm and welcoming traditional designs, melamine cabinets can accommodate your style.
Durability of melamine cabinets
An outstanding advantage of melamine kitchen cabinets is their durability. Its melamine surface is highly resistant to several elements that would otherwise wear down other cabinetry materials:
- Scratch Proof: Melamine is hard and scratch proof, which prevents scratches in your cabinets from utensils, cookware, or use over the day.
- Stain Resistant: Melamine cabinets are porous, therefore highly stain-resistant to spills, grease, or food particles. This keeps your cabinets looking immaculate for years.
- Moisture and Heat Resistance: The melamine surface has the capability to resist water and heat without warping, swell or delamination. That makes melamine cabinets the perfect option for humid rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom.
- Impact Resistance: Melamine cabinets are constructed with a high-density core that makes it very impact resistant, so your cabinets will take the occasional scuff or bang and will not dent or crack.
As long as you take proper care and attention to it, melamine kitchen cabinets will continue to look beautiful and functional for years, which is an investment worth your while.
Different styles and designs of melamine cabinets
Melamine cabinets come in various styles and configurations so that you can create a kitchen that will suit your unique aesthetic needs. From cool and contemporary to warm and traditional, melamine cabinets are versatile enough to match your dream kitchen.
Modern and Contemporary: If you are seeking for a minimalistic, sleek style, melamine cabinets in a high gloss or matte finish in neutral shades of white, gray, or black can create an incredible modern or contemporary look. They are typically flat panel doors with knobless controls and modern hardware that provides a seamless and modern look.
Traditional and Rustic: For the older, more rustic-inspired setting, melamine cabinets may simulate wood grains or aged finishes. Raised panel doors, wrought-iron fittings and deep colors such as cherry, maple or oak can provide a warm and cosy traditional or rustic kitchen environment.
Transitional and Eclectic: The transitional melamine cabinets balance the mix of modern and traditional styles. They can incorporate flat or raised panel doors, different materials (wood vs. glass), and both smooth and elaborate hardware for a unique and diversified look.
Shaker Style: The classic and versatile Shaker cabinet style is an ideal choice for melamine cabinets. It has sleek lines, recessed panel doors, and minimal hardware for an elegant and timeless appearance that can match any kitchen style.
Custom Designs: Most manufacturers can also design melamine cabinets as per your specifications and preference. This involves customizing the doors, hardware, finishes and even cabinet design to provide a completely custom and customized kitchen.
There are so many different styles and designs available in melamine cabinets that there are no limits to what you can do to have the kitchen that matches your personal style and preference.
Different melamine cabinets colors
Melamine cabinets come in a wide range of colours, so you can have a kitchen that will work well with your style and color scheme. You can get from vibrant colors to neutral colors — it is literally endless.
Neutral Colours: White, grey, beige and ivory are melamine cabinet neutral colors for the timeless and versatile appearance. These colors lend a light and airy feeling and create a blank canvas for easy addition of color or accent finishes.
Warm and Earthy Tones: If you’re a warmer and more homey styled person, warm and natural tones like browns, tans, and terracotta can be a great addition to your kitchen. They can simulate the graininess of wood, or they can have a worn and natural appearance.
Bold and Vibrant Colors: If you are a show off then the melamine cabinets come in big and bold colors like reds, blues, greens, and yellows. These vibrant colors can make your kitchen a statement and bring personality and fun to the space.
Two-Tone or Contrasting Colors: Many homeowners decide on using 2 colors for their melamine cabinets to give them some dimension and contrast. That can be by matching a neutral base color with contrasting accent color or using complementary colors for a cohesive and trendy look.
Textured and Patterned Finishes: Besides solid color, you can have melamine cabinets with textured or patterned finishes that give the appearance of materials such as wood grain, stone, or metallic. These finishes can add an extra dimension of design to your kitchen.
Having so many different colors and finishes, melamine cabinets are endlessly customizable for making your kitchen reflect you and your lifestyle.
Comparison between melamine and other kitchen cabinet materials
Melamine kitchen cabinets are very beneficial, but you should also know the difference between them and other common cabinet materials to get the right decision. Here’s how melamine cabinets compare with other popular choices:
- Solid Wood Cabinets:
- Solid wood cabinets are usually more expensive than melamine cabinets but look natural and luxurious.
- Wood cabinets can crack, warp and fade as the time goes on with moisture and temperature.
- Wood with real skeleton has a higher degree of care that needs to be regularly oiled or stained to keep it looking good.
- Laminate Cabinets:
- Laminate cabinets are just like melamine cabinets with a different coating.
- The laminates can become prone to chipping, peeling and delamination with time.
- Melamine cabinets usually come in a larger color and finish options than laminates.
- Thermofoil Cabinets:
- Cabinets made of thermofoil consist of covering a surface with a thin layer of vinyl or plastic.
- Thermofoil cabinets are affordable, but they tend to deteriorate more easily than melamine and can peel or crack in time.
- Melamine cabinets are a stronger, more durable finish than thermofoil.
- Stainless Steel Cabinets:
- Stainless steel cabinets give the modern industrial look and are much more expensive than melamine cabinets.
- Stainless steel will scratch and fingerprint and requires cleaning and maintenance regularly.
- Melamine cabinets are a cheaper and less costly option yet still available in a wide variety of modern and contemporary design.
From all these alternatives, melamine cabinets are affordable, durable, and functional, which is why they are an attractive option for most homeowners that are looking to have a stunning kitchen without the cost of a full kitchen.
Conclusion: Transform your kitchen with melamine cabinets
Melamine kitchen cabinets can provide you with an impressive beauty, strength, and value, and are a great option for homeowners who want to add style and functionality to their kitchen. Melamine cabinets are also available in a variety of styles, colors, and finishes so they will go with any style design from contemporary and contemporary to rustic and classic.
Find all of your kitchen’s possibilities with the versatility and strength of melamine cabinets. Imagine having an area that looks great and does not deteriorate due to scratching, staining and moisture. With melamine cabinets, you can make a kitchen as unique as you want and still be eco-friendly.
If you’re ready to transform your kitchen into a beautiful and functional area, melamine kitchen cabinets are the solution for you. Contact our design experts for unlimited designs and melamine cabinets to match your vision. Never accept anything less than a beautiful, long-lasting, and cost-effective solution – unlock melamine cabinet beauty and durability today!
OPPEIN Home Group Inc. is China’s leading cabinetry brand and offers the greatest custom home furnishings and franchise investment options. Please contact us for more information.