Kitchen cabinets are an essential facet to modern kitchen living, and without them, we’d struggle with the most practical kitchen usages, such as cooking and eating. Kitchen cabinets are vital to hold crockery and cutlery, as well as to disguise some of the inner workings of the kitchen itself, such as piping for your washing machine and the area underneath your sink. Lately in graphic design circles, there has been a move towards creating your own kitchen cabinet designs rather than opting for store bought standards, and while this is certainly a more difficult route to take, it does mean there is no limit to the level your creativity can take.

When designing cabinets, there are largely two options – purchasing door fronts and creating a frame for them, or customising door fronts in order to give a more unique, stylish appearance. Either way, it is possible to realise savings on the normal retail price of kitchen cabinets, particularly if you intend to invest your own labour time. What’s more, you can still find cabinet designs that are stylish, pleasing aesthetically and perfect for adding value to your kitchen area.

The construction of the kitchen cabinet frames is fairly straightforward, although there is a degree of flexibility built in to allow you to design and create a framework to your own specifications, where you might consider this to be a more suitable solution. In essence, a kitchen cabinet is simply an open box shape, although you may like to provide further reinforcement around the hinges and handle, which are often the source of problems for kitchen cabinets as they age. Again, the choice is yours, although it is probably better to adhere to a more orthodox cabinet framework to ensure it supports all different types and styles of cabinet doors, and is sturdy enough to last over the long term beyond daily use.

Designing your own kitchen cabinets is one thing, but bear in mind you’ll also need to build them, or find someone skilled enough to fulfil the construction on your behalf. Most DIY enthusiasts following the self-design and self-build model, although this does require some degree of woodworking ability. Aside from the basic framework, there is also a requirement for additional support at the traditional problem areas to provide more stability. Provided however you make sure there is some uniformity in the style of the cabinet fronts, the back end construction is less aesthetically relevant and as long as it holds, should suffice for your design needs.

Kitchen design is very much down to personal taste, but here are a few of our favourite contemporary design styles for you to consider:

Ah, the farmhouse. The smell of warm bread wafting from the oven under the stove, and the sight of the family sitting around a large oak table to enjoy their evening meal. Sound like heaven? Farmhouse stylings rely on older items of furniture like solid wooden chairs and chunky tables. Opt for warm colours like yellows and reds to make for a darker, more comfortable room for the family to enjoy. Think large-scale and bold, from your appliances through to your curtain designs, and your farmhouse-style kitchen won’t go far wrong. Why not try a modern twist on this old concept, with more contemporary styled furniture for a fusion of interior themes?

Probably not best for a family kitchen, the modern or minimalist approach to kitchen design will contain very little. Look for expansive work surfaces and cabinets with plenty of storage - after all, we don’t want that toaster clogging up the work tops, do we? Try stone flooring, or even simple laminate and keep kitchen appliances out of sight where possible. Plenty of natural light will help, be that through patio doors or a large window, and make sure you use bright spot-bulbs to provide artifical light for evening dining.

Practical design isn’t really a specific theme, but more about a way of life that caters to the needs of your family. It’s a combination of simplistic style without sacrificing the general idea of a room that suits the needs of any sized family - particularly where kids are involved! Work surfaces will be easy-wipe and fittings robust enough to deal with the day to day living requirements of your growing family. Don’t worry about too many interior design features - there’ll be plenty time for that when the kids fly the nest! For now, it’s about minimal mess and maximum utility - oh, and make sure you avoid light coloured carpeting!

Chic design in your kitchen will focus on dark tiling and strong lighting, centred around a number of different focal points and features. Consider dark marble work tops and a similarly themed oven to keep in line with the overall idea. And how about tiled flooring or natural stone to bring out the rustic in your kitchen? Try to stay away from gold fittings and fixtures - despite your perception, gold doesn’t necessarily mean quality, and it can end up looking tacky, and ruining the overall look of your room.