Kitchen renovations allow homeowners to reimagine the heart of their home. We all desire a kitchen that reflects our personal style while serving our unique needs. When considering kitchen cabinets, horizontal grain cabinets provide a contemporary, on-trend look that elongates and expands smaller kitchens. But what exactly are these stylish cabinets, and could they be right for your next remodel?
In this complete guide, we uncover everything you need to know about the popular horizontal grain kitchen cabinet trend. Modern yet timeless, these custom cabinets make a design statement with their sleek linear woodgrain pattern. Read on to learn if this distinctive style is best for your home.
What Are Horizontal Grain Kitchen Cabinets?
Horizontal grain kitchen cabinets refer to cabinets with doors, panels, and visible surfaces featuring consistent wood grain running parallel from left to right. The continuous linear pattern creates a uniform, streamlined look compared to the more varied up-and-down grain patterns.
This consistent horizontal grain direction results from the way the wood boards are cut down from the tree. The elongated alignment of fibers and wood pieces achieves a smoother, wider visual effect in the finished cabinetry components.
Visual Impact and Design
The seamlessly matched wood grain has a widening and elongating effect on kitchen cabinets. This helps small or narrow kitchen spaces appear larger and more expansive. The horizontally oriented wood pieces also complement modern and contemporary kitchen elements like stainless steel, stone surfaces, and sleek finishes.
These cabinets typically utilize a frameless construction and flat panel door designs to contribute to the minimalist aesthetic. Horizontal grains allow for unmatched alignment of patterns across adjacent cabinets and drawers. This creates a soothing, unbroken flow when gazing down a row of horizontal grain cabinets.
Benefits of Horizontal Grain Cabinets
- Sleek, contemporary style
- Visually widen smaller kitchens
- Continuous grain match adds harmony
- Durable and resistant to splits
- Customized to your exact kitchen design
Why Choose Horizontal Grain Cabinetry?
Home trends continually evolve, but horizontal grain kitchen cabinets offer a timelessly modern look perfect for contemporary homes. Beyond stylish aesthetics, what motivates homeowners opt for the linear wood patterns?
On-Trend Contemporary Style
Horizontal grain kitchen cabinets complement contemporary architecture and interior design with their calculated linear patterns and crisp facade. The understated yet rich cabinets feel refined, elegant, and intentional.
This subtly dazzling style allows homeowners to achieve an upscale ambiance using simple, clean lines instead of ornate details. For modern homes, horizontal grains add interest without disruption.
Expand Visually Narrow Kitchens
For compact, skinny kitchen spaces, horizontal grain cabinets use directional lines to widen walls visually. The sweeping wood patterns lead the eye lateral down the cabinet run instead of breaking up a narrow galley.
By guiding sight lines horizontally, this cabinet grain direction makes small kitchen spaces appear more expansive and spacious instead of boxed-in. Opening up tight spaces provides a more welcoming, livable kitchen.
Match Varied Design Aesthetics
While horizontal grain cabinets perfectly suit contemporary homes, this versatile cabinetry style also mingles into traditional and transitional kitchens. The elegantly understated pattern blends nicely without overpowering other elements.
For example, horizontal grain cabinets could pair attractively with marble countertops, antique lighting, or stainless steel appliances without style conflict. Adaptability makes them widely appealing.
Horizontal Grain vs. Vertical Grain Cabinets
What’s the difference between sought-after horizontal grain kitchen cabinets and traditional vertical grain cabinets? While subtle, the direction of wood patterns greatly impacts the aesthetic.
Wood Grain Orientation
As described earlier, horizontal grain cabinets feature wood fibers running uniformly side to side. By contrast, vertical grain cabinets have more irregular up and down wood patterns with varied swirling, knots, and visible tree rings.
Vertical grains show more natural variation since they incorporate several tree cross-sections. Uniform horizontal patterns instead align wood pieces lengthwise using one tree section.
Visual Impact
The matched grain direction stretches horizontal cabinets outward, expanding a kitchen’s boundaries. Vertical grains lack uniformity so can feel more chaotic. Well-executed horizontal grains create harmony; disorderly vertical patterns visually recede.
Consistency and alignment provide horizontal grains a smoother, more integrated cabinet facade. Vertical cabinet patterns feel more disjointed yet rustic.
| Horizontal Grain Cabinets | Vertical Grain Cabinets |
|---|---|
| Sleek, uniform wood patterns | Varied wood grains with knots |
| Visually expand kitchen spaces | Rustic, traditional aesthetic |
| Contemporary style | Natural, familiar style |
| Elongated sight lines | Noticeable wood character |
| Seamless joins between cabinets | Less expensive typically |
Both options provide warmth, texture, and beauty. Choose horizontal grains for an integrated contemporary look or vertical for casual rustic charm.
Best Wood Types for Horizontal Grain
Certain wood species achieve the coveted continuous, sweeping grain patterns synonymous with horizontal kitchen cabinets. Which lumber makes the grade? Let’s explore suitable options.
Oak
A popular cabinet wood, oak has prominent grains running the length of the boards in long, mostly straight ridges. Red oak works especially well for flat panel doors and drawer fronts accentuating linear alignment.
Maple
Maple is prized for kitchen cabinetry thanks to its smooth texture and uniform grains with flowing lines. The wood sands and finishes superbly to emphasize linear alignment for horizontal kitchen cabinets.
Hickory
Another premier cabinet wood, hickory provides an eye-catching grain pattern consistent between adjacent staves cut from the same log. Though dense and heavy, hickory offers the ideal flowing grain for horizontal cabinets.
Other suitable options include bamboo, acacia wood, eucalyptus, and occasionally beech or cherry. Discuss options with manufacturers.
Ordering Your Horizontal Grain Cabinets
Ready to brighten your traditional kitchen or reinforce your contemporary style using horizontal grain cabinets? Let’s explore the multi-step ordering process to obtain these exclusive designer cabinets.
Find Specialized Cabinet Suppliers
Horizontal grain cabinets require specialized materials, cutting, and fittings compared to conventional cabinets with varied wood patterns. Utilize kitchen designers or cabinet specialists advertising horizontal grain or full custom offerings.
Manufacturers crafting horizontal grain cabinetry source wider lumber and strategically cut components to achieve lasting grain continuity between components. Expertise matters.
Select Specific Cabinet Options
When meeting with kitchen designers, bring inspiration images showing horizontal grains you wish to emulate. Discuss preferences for door style, wood type, finish, and hardware to match your dream designs.
Consider how you will use the completed kitchen to inform material decisions. For example, more durable woods suit busy family kitchens.
Specify Your Layout and Appliances
Horizontal grain cabinets require precise alignments during construction for seamless transitions between adjacent doors and drawers. Provide complete kitchen layouts showing exact appliance dimensions and configurations.
If possible, delay final appliance purchases until after ordering cabinets to prevent unwelcome surprises. Adjustments prove complicated with horizontal grain patterns.
Receive a Customized Quotation
With preferences and room measurements complete, your kitchen designer creates a personalized 3D rendering showcasing proposed cabinetry finishes, hardware, and configurations. This visual confirmation accompanies a custom quote outlining costs.
Remember horizontal grains are specialty products requiring premium materials and increased labor investments. Expect to pay 10-30% over conventional cabinetry prices to secure this elite modern style.
Horizontal Grain Order and Delivery Timeline
Understand what to expect regarding order processing, production scheduling, and delivery dates when purchasing horizontal grain kitchen cabinets to avoid frustration.
Multi-Step Order Process
After approving the initial 3D rendering and quotation, provide measurement verifications, make finish selections, and submit a deposit check. Manufacturing commences after paperwork and payments finalize.
Typical Production Plus Transit Timeline
Horizontal grain kitchen cabinets require 30-60 days production time as artisans meticulously construct, finish, and pack each custom component. Then, allow 14 days transit for shipping.
Ensure your contractor schedules installation after the estimated delivery date. Rushed contractors and late deliveries make poor partners.
Installation of Horizontal Grain Cabinets
Cabinet deliveries typically occur curbside on pallets for final transport into your home by contractors. Installers must handle the expensive hand-crafted cabinets gently to prevent pattern or finish damage.
Ensure chosen remodel contractors have experience with high-end cabinet installations. Their skills protect your considerable investment while also providing proper functionality.
Caring for Your Horizontal Grain Cabinets
Like all exquisite furnishings, horizontal grain cabinets require thoughtful care practices to maintain their like-new beauty and function for decades. Follow manufacturer guidance to preserve your impressive focal point.
Protect the Linear Finish
Use microfiber cloths and avoid abrasive cleaners or pads to prevent wear, scratches, or water marks. Harsh chemicals strip protective finishes that allow easy wipe downs.
Immediately address spills, condensation, or splatters on cabinet surfaces to limit moisture damage opportunities.
Avoid Excessive Heat and Humidity
Humidity and hot kitchen appliances cause wood cabinets to swell and contract. This movement risks splitting seams or warping horizontal grain alignments.
Run kitchen ventilation regularly when cooking and consider boosting central air circulation in warmer climates.
Daily life brings bumps and small dings. Touch up kits allow you to quickly color-match and spot fix minor horizontal grain disturbances to restore continuity.
Contact your cabinet supplier for the approved retouch products for your particular wood and finish. A bit of care reinforces long-term beauty.
With knowledgeable selection, care, and maintenance, horizontal grain kitchen cabinets provide years of contemporary style and quality use. The linear patterns beautifully fade into the background or steal the show depending on your desired design contrasts.
If seeking an integrated, expansive modern kitchen, horizontal grain cabinets accentuate without appearing overly busy or flashy. For homes desiring upscale elegance through simplicity, the sweeping wood grains deliver.
