Exploring Kitchen Cabinetry: A Guide to 5 Popular Materials

Kitchens, often considered the heart of homes, can become a daily source of frustration if designed poorly with inferior materials. Starting from picking the right kitchen tiles to the kitchen colour scheme, you have to evaluate each element to craft a quality kitchen. A quality kitchen refers to a culinary space with an appropriate layout, adequate storage spaces and no broken element, be it a hinge or a backsplash tile. Among all aspects, the cabinet material is a significantly important thing that has the power to modify any unexciting kitchen into a delightful and functional setup. In this blog, we will reveal some industry-popular kitchen cabinet materials that you can explore to find the best material for kitchen cabinets in your culinary space that meets all your needs and preferences.  

Best Materials For Kitchen Cabinets

MDF Kitchen Cabinet Material 

Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets, especially among enthusiasts seeking affordability without compromising its quality standard. Composed of small wood fibres affixed with wax and resin under high pressure, this material is renowned for its smooth, uniform finish which is better than wood as it is free from knots and blemishes. Compared with solid wood or plywood, premium-quality MDF panels offer good stability and resistance to warp or crack over time. 

In kitchen design, this MDF material allows intricate detailing like grooves or profiles because of its uniform composition, making it stand out as the latest material for kitchen cabinets even in traditional kitchen settings. So, it is easier to work with and can be customised more readily. Beyond these benefits, MDF cabinets can be customised with laminates or paints to match your kitchen decor. You can play around with different cabinet and tile colours to create a balanced look. For example, if you use a multicoloured pattern tile design like ODM Arabic EC Multi, Decor Moroccan Art Black White, and TL Arabic Grey Multi, go for a neutral-toned cabinet design to let the tile design stand out. Overall, the MDF material is favoured for its ability to mimic the appearance of more expensive materials, entitling it to a commendable choice that offers a blend of affordability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. 

HDF-HMR Kitchen Cabinet Material 

High-Density Fibreboard High Moisture-Resistance (HDF-HMR) has emerged as the best material for kitchen cabinets, especially in busy kitchens with high moisture levels. This material is recognised for its outstanding durability and sturdiness, surpassing its alternative choices like plywood and MDF in strength and density. Due to its high density, it is highly moisture-resistant, making it perfect for upper and lower cabinet units around the sink. This attribute can significantly lower the risk of swelling, distorting, or degradation of the cabinet due to water exposure. 

Another feature of this material that makes it stand out is its remarkable screw-holding capacity, which provides secure fitting even under stress and longevity of cabinetry installations – a must-need for high-use kitchens. Talking about its aesthetics, you can pick the cabinet colour as per the colour scheme and style of your culinary space. For example, if you want a classic kitchen design, go for an old-world black-and-white checkerboard floor design by combining PGVT Super Plain White and PGVT Plain Black. For a modern twist to the classic kitchen design, you can combine a dark grey colour cabinet design to complement the tile design. 

All in all, HDF-HMR shines out as the latest material for kitchen cabinets that offers superior performance and peace of mind against moisture-related issues. 

Also Read: Kitchen Cabinet Colour Ideas and Tile Pairings for 2023

Plywood Kitchen Cabinet Material 

Plywood is one of the most popular kitchen cabinet materials that have found a place in Indian kitchens. Due to its composition with layers of veneer stacked on each other at right angles, this material offers exceptional strength and durability. Even though it is a bit expensive, you should choose it if you want the best material for kitchen cabinets. You can combine it with diverse kitchen decor styles. For example, if you have created a nature-themed kitchen with a combination of floral tiles like DR Decor Protea Flower Art and a complementing marble tile option like DR DGVT Mystery Taupe Grey, pick a medium-toned plywood design for your cabinets. Another reason to pick plywood is its smooth finish and does not allow any intricate cravings or grooves, which makes it more suitable for cabinet shutters. However, the natural undulations of the material may not achieve your desired aesthetic and smooth appeal, even when it is finished with laminates or acrylics.

Plywood comes in three variants; each one has different resistance properties. These are namely boiling water-resistant (BWR), boiling waterproofing (BWP), and moisture-resistant (MR). The BWR ply comes with an inferior moisture resistance ability and comes with the capability to withstand water exposure for up to 8 hours. The BWP ply comes with a higher moisture-resisting ability and can withstand moisture for up to 72 hours. So, you can pick any of these options for your moisture-prone kitchen, ensuring durability, and functionality in the space. 

Particle Board Kitchen Cabinet Material 

Particle board is crafted from sawdust and wood waste bonded together using resin. So, it is one of the most affordable kitchen cabinet materials. However, many people question its quality because of its high affordability. It is not the best when it comes to the quality of load-bearing capacity, particularly in comparison to its alternative options like HDF-HMR and MDF. Thus, it is not suitable for applications where cabinets need to bear huge weights of utensils or groceries. 

For cost-conscious projects, you can consider particle board for your cabinet shutters, especially for kitchens where load requirements are minimal, to lower your expenses. Also, you can pair it with kitchen tiles if you have a low budget to revamp your kitchen decor. You can explore diverse low-maintenance kitchen tile design choices and pick a design that complements your cabinetry. For example, you can combine a soft-toned cabinet design in a traditional kitchen, crafted with tile designs like HHG Diamond Portuguese6 Art HL, HBG Ardesia Marble Brown, and HBG Ardesia Marble Creama. However, for enhanced durability and performance, you should consider investing in HDF-HMR or MDF material. So, you can save money by investing in durable, low-maintenance kitchen tiles and saving money to increase your budget to buy a better material for your kitchen cabinetry. 

PVC Kitchen Cabinet Material 

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride is one of the most cost-effective kitchen cabinet materials that offer ease of maintenance and versatility in design. Nowadays, it comes in two main types – hollow boards and foam boards, where the former one is heavier and sturdier, ideal for cabinets that need to bear weight while the latter is lighter and more affordable but comes with less robustness. One of its greatest advantages is easy repairability which makes PVC a preferred choice among homeowners. It offers a hassle-free experience in repairing PVC cabinets, which is quite beneficial for busy kitchens where wear and tear are inevitable. Also, PVC kitchen cabinets are easy to clean. They only need a wipe with a damp cloth to retain their neat look. 

Despite having amazing benefits, PVC is not the best material for kitchen cabinets, especially in kitchens with high moisture levels or heavy use. This is because this material may warp or degrade faster than other options like plywood. However, it is still an affordable choice which also requires less upkeep and offers diversity in design. For example, in a neutral-themed kitchen, crafted with neutral-toned tiles like ODM Cemento EC Grey and ODM Cemento EC Silver, you can bring a similar-toned cabinet design that highlights the pattern tiled backsplash, which is designed with ODM Moroccan 3×3 EC Grey Multi. So, you should consider all your specific needs in your kitchen environment to determine whether this material is a fitting choice for the cabinets for the long term. 

Conclusion 

If you are wondering which material is best for kitchen cabinets or how you can combine different materials to ensure the longevity of your kitchen cabinets, then you should consider combining HDF-HMR and MDF materials. Thanks to its robustness and water-resisting power, the HDF-HMR material is ideal for the carcass while the MDF material is perfect for cabinet doors and panels because of its smooth and customisable surface. For budget-conscious kitchen renovations, you can combine particle board or PVC cabinet material. However, the best way to design a quality kitchen that lasts for years is to combine durable cabinet materials, like HDF-HMR and MDF, with quality kitchen tiles, which come in multiple designs and can be easily paired with any cabinetry style. To find a plethora of kitchen tiles that complement your kitchen cabinets, you can visit Orientbell Tiles Boutique, where diversity meets affordability. 

FAQs

•  Which materials are most recommended for kitchen cabinets?

The HDF-HMR and MDF materials are the best for long-lasting kitchen cabinets. These materials offer better resistance towards water and have superior strength, ensuring stability and longevity in kitchen environments. However, the best material for your kitchen cabinet depends on your budget and desire to pair different materials for the best result. 

• What material is typically used for kitchen cabinets?

The MDF material is the most commonly used material for cabinets in Indian kitchens. 

• Which type of kitchen cabinet is best?

The best type of kitchen cabinet depends on your preference. For reasonably priced and smooth finishes, you can go with MDF. For durability and moisture-resisting power, HDF-HMR is a good choice. Both offer benefits depending on your budget, design preferences, and your kitchen’s functioning needs. 

• What are the maintenance needs of all these kitchen cabinet materials?

Different cabinet materials have different maintenance needs. For example, the MDF material needs regular wipe cleaning and avoid prolonged water exposure while HDF-HMR just needs regular wipe cleaning. However, plywood needs occasional cleaning and edge sealing, PVC needs wipe cleaning and avoid scratches, and particle board needs damp cleaning and avoid moisture. 

• What are the elements to consider while picking materials for your kitchen cabinets? 

To pick quality materials for kitchen cabinets, you should go for durable materials that offer ease of maintenance, aesthetics, and peace of mind. Also, you should consider factors like affordability and the materials’ strength to withstand kitchen conditions like moisture.