Contemporary Kitchen Cabinet Styles - Horizontal Grain

When designing a modern, contemporary kitchen, horizontal grain cabinets can be an ideal choice to complement the clean lines and minimalist aesthetic often found in this style. The visible wood grain running horizontally across the doors and drawers creates visual interest while maintaining a streamlined look.

Horizontal grain kitchen cabinets differ from the more common vertical grain cabinets in their construction and appearance. Vertically oriented wood panels with visible grain are considered more traditional. However, horizontally oriented panels result in a more linear, modern style. Wider panels are required to achieve the horizontal grain direction.

The Definition of Horizontal Grain Cabinets

Horizontal grain kitchen cabinets have wood panels with visible grain lines running horizontally rather than vertically across the cabinet frame and doors. The grain direction changes the look from traditional to contemporary by creating a more linear aesthetic.

Constructing cabinets with a horizontal grain orientation requires using wider solid wood panels, often around 5 inches or more. Traditional vertical grain cabinets can utilize narrower panels, making them a bit more affordable and available.

Ideal Cabinet Door Styles

Certain cabinet door designs complement a horizontal grain direction especially well. Slab doors, made from a single flat panel, allow the grain to take center stage. The clean lines of flat panel and Shaker doors also mesh seamlessly with horizontal grain patterns.

Inset cabinet doors mounted directly within the cabinet frame are another excellent match for highlighting horizontal wood grain. Stay away from busy raised panel doors and opt for simple door styles instead.

Key Benefits of Choosing Horizontal Grain

So why choose horizontal grain cabinets in the first place? There are several compelling benefits this contemporary style offers:

• Matches seamlessly with modern kitchen aesthetics and materials like quartz.
• Gives the kitchen a light, wide, and spacious look.
• Visible linear wood grain provides natural texture.
• Distinctive contemporary style compared to more common vertical grain.

Design Elements that Complement Horizontal Grain

To accentuate the contemporary style of horizontal grain even further, pair it with other coordinating modern kitchen elements. Here are some examples:

• Quartz, concrete, or solid surface countertops
• Undercabinet and task lighting
• Glass, metal or recessed cabinet hardware
• Decor styles like modern, contemporary, or transitional

The clean lines and noticeable grain patterns of horizontal cabinets will seamlessly align with these other components.

Considerations Before Choosing Horizontal Grain

While horizontal grain cabinets offer distinctive style, they do come with a few considerations to keep in mind.

For one, the wider wood panels required increase costs by 10-15% on average over vertical grain cabinets. Availability is also lower, as specialist cabinet makers focus on horizontal grain construction.

The door style also must be carefully selected, as full overlay doors may show seams more noticeably with horizontal alignment. Opting for an inset or shaker style is a safer bet.

Tips for Success with Horizontal Grain Cabinets

Here are some tips to ensure your horizontal grain kitchen cabinets meet your expectations:

• Select wider, 5+ inch cabinet frames to accommodate panels.
• Stick with flat panel, slab, or shaker door designs.
• Budget for a 10-15% premium over vertical grain prices.
• Look for companies specializing in contemporary cabinetry.

Keeping these recommendations in mind will help your horizontal grain cabinets shine.

Deciding Between Horizontal and Vertical Grain

When planning your kitchen, take some time to consider whether horizontal or vertical grain makes the most sense.

In general, horizontal grain provides a more contemporary, modern look, while vertical grain is more traditional. But also factor in your specific kitchen layout.

If your space could use the impression of looking wider, horizontal grain can help expand the dimensions visually. But if you prefer simple and classic, vertical may be the better option.

Best Situations for Horizontal Grain Cabinets

Here are some of the top scenarios where horizontal grain cabinets can be an excellent choice:

• You want a contemporary, modern kitchen aesthetic overall.
• Your counters, sinks, and other elements are sleek materials like quartz.
• Prefer simple flat slab cabinet doors to highlight the grain.
• Seeking to really showcase beautiful wood patterns.

Keeping these situations in mind can help determine if horizontal grain is right for your next kitchen design.

Horizontal grain kitchen cabinets can provide an eye-catching contemporary element using beautiful wood patterns. The linear grain and wide panels result in a light, clean, modern style.

If aiming for this type of aesthetic for a kitchen refresh or remodel, horizontal grain deserves a closer look. Just be sure to account for factors like cost and availability depending on your region and suppliers.

Combining horizontal wood grain with coordinating cabinet door designs, finishes, counters and decor will result in a beautifully cohesive contemporary kitchen space.