Italian Cabinetry trending on Long Island

We have been in business over 40 years now. We have seen styles come and go on Long Island and NYC. Modern kitchens with flat slab door styles have been popular in NYC for decades. In the last 3-4 years, modern styles, slowly but surely, began trending on Long Island. Modern design keeps growing here. It has not surpassed transitional / traditional yet, but it is getting close to being one for one. Let's review the choices Long Islanders have been making over the last few years.

1. Modern - Flat or Slab Door / Frameless

Long Islanders are falling in love with modern slab door kitchens. Proof is in the increasing number of modern kitchens being designed and installed at the behest of locals. Signatures of modern cabinets are the slab door and frameless cabinet box.

Frameless cabinets (also called full access) do not have a face frame nor center stiles. Most European cabinetry is frameless. Since there is no frame, there is more storage space (especially in the drawers) and easier access into each cabinet. Frameless cabinets are typically designed with flat, slab doors to create a sleek minimalist look. Many brands build the box with particle board instead of plywood. Once the cabinets are installed, you only see the doors and drawers.

Clients have a choice of hundreds of colors and finishes. What we have seen in the last 4 years is typically a combination of two finishes. High gloss has been popular for the perimeter cabinets. Wood veneer/laminate has paired with the high gloss either on the island and/or base cabinets. High gloss whites and grays paired with light or dark wood has dominated. It is quite an elegant look.

Another benefit of slab doors is easy clean-ability. No nooks and crannies to collect dust. All you need is a little soap and water to wipe them down.

Framed vs. Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

2. Transitional - Frameless or Framed - Less ornate than traditional

Transitional kitchens have been the most popular style on Long Island for the last decade. Transitional kitchens are a blend of contemporary and traditional. Signature features include: Clean lines, neutral colors, no multiple pattern distractions. Whites, grays, beige and wood tones are top choices.

Shaker and other recessed door styles are typical choices for a transitional look. White shaker doors are still #1. Transitional kitchens have less clutter, are not ornamental and designed with more storage.

3. Traditional - Framed - Full Overlay or Inset - More detail and ornate

Think bells and whistles! Although the traditional kitchen has lost market share on Long Island, it is still chosen by families that love a warm inviting ambiance. Traditional kitchens have been tamed on Long Island over the last decade. Crown moldings are not as ornate. Door styles are typically raised panel with grooves and insets, which add character to the design. However, Long Islanders are choosing less grooves and insets, for a simpler traditional feel.

Natural stained wood is #1. Columns and corbels have been used less. Decorative valanced toe kicks add another dimension. Countertop edges have been more often than not, squared instead of the traditional half bullnose edge. Patterns for the backsplash and countertop are still popular.

In conclusion, Long Island design tastes have evolved over the last decade. Contributing factors are demographic changes, including age. The younger crowd gravitates more toward modern style kitchens. Lifestyle changes demand easier to clean designs. We also have more choices of European styles on Long Island than years ago.