The cabinets in a kitchen should reflect the style of the rest of the home, as they will be the decorative focal point. Most of the cabinet carcasses are made of chipboard nowadays. The only thing you have to be concerned with is the finish of the cabinet doors.
Wood
You can choose solid wood or wood veneer.
Wood needs a lot of love and attention, as it is a natural product and can be affected by changes in temperature and humnidity e.g. when you're cooking.
Wood veneer is cheaper and is less affected by these. Veneer also gives more uniformity, as a piece of wood is cut in thin strips to cover all the doors. Wood is available in all colours, and can also be glossed, painted, colour washed or waxed.
Laminate
Laminate cupboard doors have endless possibilities in colour, texture and shine. You can go for a soft look with creamy colours and a matt finish, or choose Italian style with shining fronts and bold colours. One's choice of handles and other finishes will complement it.
Laminate is virtually maintenance-free. It only needs the occasional wipe. Laminate cupboard doors suffer from a lot less wear and tear and will stay fresh-looking for years.
Other Materials
Use glass doors for part of your cabinets e.g. for display of your crockery, or use frosted glass for a semi-concealed look. Glass will look good in both contemporary and traditional kitchens, whereas frosted glass works best in contemporary kitchens.
Stainless steel looks clean, shiny and professional. It is easy to keep clean as well and is very hard-wearing, but can be expensive. Try to combine it with wood or a warm colour on the wall, so your kitchen doesn't have an clinical feel.
Store heavy items in the cupboards underneath the countertop.
Store rarely used items on the highest cupboard shelves to keep the rest free for daily use. In a small and/or narrow kitchen create more space by making the wall-cupboards taller rather than deeper. The kitchen will look wider.
