15 Lustrous Kitchens That Make Smart Use of Laminate Cabinets
The budget-friendly and versatile material is a popular choice for good reason.
The right combination of kitchen cabinet and countertop materials can create an upscale vibe without busting the budget. Considering major factors like durability, aesthetics, and cost, laminate kitchen cabinets offer a lot of bang for your buck: Laminate is relatively inexpensive, comes in a wide range of styles and colors, and quality-wise, holds its own compared to wood cabinets.
"In my Alpine Noir project, we used laminate kitchen cabinets because of the ease of maintenance and cost savings," explains interior designer Casey Keasler of Casework. The vintage Moroccan checkerboard runner is from Kat + Maouche.
Photo: Mikola Accuardi
Laminate, a synthetic material fused to particleboard (compressed wood), comes in high-pressure and low-pressure varieties. High-pressure laminates (HPLs), like Formica and Pionite, are higher quality and come in a wider range of color options. High-design brands like Reform and Henrybuilt also offer some beautiful HPL options. Low-pressure laminates, like melamine, are less durable.
"I use laminate cabinets as a less expensive option [compared] to custom wood cabinets from time to time," explains interior designer Casey Keasler of Casework. Keasler also points out that laminate kitchen cabinets are easy to clean and maintain: "I don't recommend laminates as a countertop surface in a kitchen—but as cabinet fronts, they are perfect."
The design of this Australian houseboat features a soft, modern color palette. Here, light sage laminate kitchen cabinets are paired with recessed leather pulls.
Jonathan VDK
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However, laminate cabinet fronts don’t lend themselves to some styles. As Keasler points out, "The edges need to be finished if you want a seamless look, which makes it more difficult to achieve a more traditional or detailed cabinet front." Laminate can also suffer heat or water damage, and chips can be difficult to repair.
Another consideration is your kitchen’s long-term value. Kitchen cabinetry can take up a significant part of your new-build or renovation budget, and installation expenses are the same no matter what type of cabinets you choose, so it may be worth it to consider the highest-quality cabinetry that you can afford in the long run. However, if you need to keep costs down—because we all know how renovation costs can quickly skyrocket beyond even the most realistic quotations—it is definitely worthwhile to consider laminates. Here, we round up some of our favorite laminate looks that break outdated stereotypes.
Here, laminate kitchen cabinets are topped with Corian in Glacier White for a fresh and fun color-blocked look.
Photo: Ross Mantle
A dark concrete countertop is paired with blue laminate cabinets in architect Janet Bloomberg’s kitchen.
Photo by: Greg Powers
This remodeled kitchen features Silestone countertops and backsplashes paired wood cabinetry with laminates.
Maíra Acayaba
Shop the Look
The Citizenry Onam Napkins - Blue
Soft blues and whites with pops of navy, a set of six napkins to bring a laid-back, yet sophisticated look to your tablescape. Hand-loomed and pre-washed, these handsome cotton napkins get more soft and supple with every use. Handcrafted by a group of master weavers in Kannur, India, each napkin is made start-to-finish in a fair trade environment. Every set includes 6 individual napkins and is finished with one leather tie.
ShopMelanie Abrantes Hardwood Bud Vase - Double
Melanie Abrantes transforms sustainable and locally sourced materials into one-of-a-kind vases, planters, serveware + more. Crafted of solid cherry or walnut hardwood, this vase is hand finished with mineral oil and includes a glass vial for a single flower or two. Bud Vases vary in size and color, making each piece subtly unique. Photo Courtesy of West Elm
ShopRescued Wood Feast Board
This one-of-a-kind serving board isn’t just the perfect surface for your antipasti presentation—as soon as you carry it to the table (using the cutout handles) it becomes a talking piece. The boards are handcrafted from rescued wood from fallen trees or trees that must be removed. Each is totally unique, depending on the wood used, its age, the cut, and the finish. Photography by Bobbi Lin/Food52
ShopThese custom laminate kitchen cabinets—built by local manufacturer Beech Tree Woodworks— add a pop of color to this Seattle kitchen.
Photo by Rafael Soldi
For this kitchen, the architects paired slate-gray HPL (high-pressure laminate) cabinets by Henrybuilt, cool Basaltina countertops, with custom shelving and a white Corian backsplash.
Builder Jason Miars fabricated the walnut-paneled walls and kitchen cabinetry, which is accented by stainless-steel Linnea drawer pulls.
Photo: Brent Humphreys
Some laminate cabinets offer the sleek appearance of wood at a fraction of the cost.
Photo: Lara Swimmer
This kitchen features a sleek Henrybuilt kitchen system in white.
Eric Roth Photography
This kitchen features a high-low mix of marble paired with laminate cabinetry by Lignum Cabinets.
Photo: Jason Roehner
The entire kitchen wall by Lignum Cabinets is made from laminates and features functional peg board-like shelving above the sink, allowing it to be customized to the homeowner's needs.
Photo: Jason Roehner
This open kitchen is fitted with black granite counters, a ceramic backsplash, and melamine cabinetry, which is a type of laminate.
Paul Crosby
This lovely kitchen features laminate cabinets by Danish brand Reform.
Photo: Mariko Reed
White laminate cabinets are the perfect solution to keep costs down for the small, open kitchen in this Madrid apartment.
Photo: David Zarzoso
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