Rustic vs. Contemporary Cabinet Styles: Which One Should You Get?
Have you grown bored with the way your kitchen looks right now? If you are looking up for a “refresh,” then something as simple as an upgrade in your cabinets might just do the trick. Still, what style should you go for, considering the choices galore? Your heart seems to be swaying in two different directions: from the rustic style to the contemporary one. They are quite different – but they also have their own charm and beauty. Let’s break them down and see which one you should go for:
The Rustic Style
How many of you are taking the occasional break to hole up into a cabin or some remote rustic place? It is the perfect environment to spend a few days in, particularly when the only thing you have seen is unfriendly concrete and modern objects. Sometimes, you just want to break free – which makes rustic cabinets quite an attractive choice.
Why leave your home to enter that environment when you may simply bring it to your own house? Plus, when it comes to rustic cabinets, you can’t expect the models to be boring. The influences may be anything from the average rustic farmhouse to the cabin lodge and the Tuscan villa.
Plus, while one may think that rustic cabinets are “too clad in details,” the truth is quite the opposite. Rustic kitchens focus on the simpler designs – the ones that show off the raw, natural, and rugged side of materials. They have hand-hewn beams, unfinished wood patterns, and are generally complimented with exposed brick wall designs.
Rustic kitchen cabinets have that look that makes them feel “stylishly old” – when in truth, they may be brand new. Indeed, some of the pieces may be reclaimed (which might raise their value, if done properly), whereas others might just be made to look that way. They are a bit more difficult to clean due to the classical ornamentation that they have – but the advantage is that the texture will not allow any stains to be visible.
When it comes to rustic design, texture is also something of great importance. You won’t see cabinets that have the same texture everywhere – and while they may have the same shape, every door will be unique. Most people define the style as cozy, organic, and muted. So, if this is the kind of style that you are looking for, then you might want to use rustic cabinets.
The Contemporary Style
Rustic design is not your cup of tea? Well, in this case, you might want to take a look into the contemporary style – one that brings you a bit closer to the modern world, so to speak. If you are one of those people with strong beliefs in “less is more,” then this style might be more suitable for you.
By going for contemporary cabinets, the kitchen will have a clean, orderly feel. Unlike the rustic design that makes things seem cozier and a bit more restrained, your kitchen will have a more open-space vibe. Even if you have a smaller kitchen, by using contemporary cabinets, you should be able to make it look bigger.
Unlike rustic cabinets, contemporary ones tend to have minimal ornamentation. In fact, most of the designs will feature streamlined slab door styles, which have a simple style. These pieces of kitchen furniture can generally be complemented by adorning them with your favorite kitchen accessories.
That being said, contemporary kitchen cabinets also have a glossy, sleek finish. So, while they do have man-made materials, they generally involve chrome, glass, and lacquer. They look more on the modern side, which is the complete opposite of the texture brought by rustic cabinets.
Contemporary kitchen cabinets may be described in a variety of ways: they may be streamlined, they may be simple, and they may be bold. Their beauty is that they focus on cleanliness without taking away that daring effect. They are also much easier to clean, mostly due to their simple design devoid of much ornamentation.
Final Thoughts
If you are rooting for coziness and pretty ornaments, then you may want to look into the rustic style. On the other hand, if you are looking for cleanliness and simplicity, contemporary might be more your style. It all depends on your personal preferences.