Cabinet Trends Focus on Value

Miller says that his company does not offer frameless cabinetry and his firm is seeing a growing trend towards the Shaker look in full overlay, and any mitered door. Ducharme agrees that with improved assembly techniques, mitered door styles are growing, with both stained and painted finishes.

Wilcox, on the other hand, is seeing more framed inset doors rather than overlay styles. He sees raised panels and recessed panels with beading as popular choices.

Brewer notes that case construction is less important than consumers getting the look they want at whatever price point they are in. “Most dealers and installers are used to traditional framed cabinetry so that has the biggest market share,” he says.

GREEN NEEDS

Environmental responsibility is a natural part of the landscape these days, so it comes as no surprise that manufacturers identify it as an important part of the conversation about cabinet trends. At the same time, customers interested in value seem to shy away from green products that have a higher cost.

Korsten says, “People still like to feel they are ‘doing the right thing’ by asking about [environmentally friendly products], but they are only compelled to buy green if the product fits their desired look and is cost neutral. We are not yet seeing a movement to green purely for the sake of going green,” he says. However, he adds, consumers will in many cases appreciate and give “extra credit” to dealers who find a productive way for their old cabinetry to be re-used, such as donating to a Habitat Restore.

Harvey says that the increase of contemporary designs has opened up and driven increased demand for reconstituted veneer products with cleaner, straight-grained looks and exotic offerings due to consistent supply and sustainability. He also adds that an all-wood cabinet continues to be preferred over other materials, such as MDF and particle board that traditionally contained greater levels of formaldehyde. Grabill has eliminated MDF and particle board lines of construction in favor of an all plywood box construction. However, the firm has also introduced an “exotic” species offering featuring several of the reconstituted and bamboo veneers, a sustainable option to other alternatives.

Ducharme says that at Executive, they are focusing as much on “healthy” as “sustainable,” because their typical consumer in particularly interested in products that promote health and well being. “Our message is, you don’t have to pay more to make the healthy responsible choice. Waterborne UV stains paints and topcoats are standard. Three-quarter-inch, No Added Formaldehyde Domestic Plywood is our standard. You don’t pay more. Our consumer gets a Greenguard Children and Schools Indoor Air Quality certified kitchen and does not pay a dime more for it. This message resonates with anyone and everyone…not just the green buyer.”