Craftsman-Style Kitchen Cabinets : Kitchen Remodeling : HGTV Remodels

If you're installing a new kitchen or updating and existing one, and your style gravitates towards traditional details and fine, authentic craftsmanship, then you'll likely want to explore the options for Craftsman-style kitchen cabinets.

The Arts and Crafts design movement began in the last years of the 19th century. As a reaction to the mass production of the industrial revolution, it sought to re-invigorate the contribution of the individual artist or 'craftsman' in design and architecture.

Characterized by fine, intricate woodworking and sturdy construction, Craftsman-style kitchen cabinets are most often made from hard, heavy woods, as opposed to lighter woods or artificial materials.

Craftsman-style kitchen cabinets can lend a historical, antique feel to a kitchen, and for this reason they're often suited for more staid colors of stain or paint, like earth tones or neutrals. Grays, soft browns, rust colors, creams, light greens and off whites all can work well with Craftsman-style cabinets.

Wood is abundant in Craftsman-style cabinets, so you may want to consider contrasting flooring or food preparation surfaces/countertops with different materials, like slate or soapstone. For a backsplash, you can consider including finely designed, artisanal tile, another mark of the Arts and Crafts movement.

In terms of pricing, expect to pay more for Craftsman-style kitchen cabinets, especially if they're custom made, because they do require extensive woodworking in general. However, because of their enduring popularity, Craftsman-style kitchen cabinets are also available in stock and semi-stock format from most home improvement stores—so you may be able to get the classic, antique look you want without breaking the bank.