Tuscaloosa Kitchen Cabinets
Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets have a lot to live up to. They live in a city that was named one of the top 100 communities for young people in 2010 and 2011 and the Most Liveable City in America by U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2011. One of the best ways to keep up the strong Tuscaloosa reputation is to keep your home in excellent, modern condition.
The Alabama home was important to cultures in the Tuscaloosa area as far back as 800 AD, when scientists think the Mississippian culture began building mounds for domestic and religious purposes at what is now called Moundville. The hearth in Native American and settler times was an essential place for family-oriented ritual. Modern Tuscaloosa families haven't strayed too far from this tradition. The AL kitchen often doubles as a workplace, meeting place or craft station.
Modern AL
Many tried and true methods of kitchen woodworking have remained constant throughout the centuries. For example, the Shaker culture of the 18th century was well known for their no-frills, yet sophisticated, kitchen cabinet design. They believed in simple, clean lines made without nails or screws. Their efficient designs maximize space and are still commonly used today. If you are a fan of traditional or classic decorative styles, then choose Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets that echo Shaker construction.
Meanwhile, there have been some amazing advances in the use of laminate and face-less cabinets. You may recognize laminate cabinets as a no-nonsense model used in work place kitchens and rental properties. It is known for being durable and easy to clean.
Today's laminates come in a variety of different colors, styles and textures. While laminate flooring has become a less-expensive substitute for hardwood flooring, so has Alabama laminate cabinetry. Wood grain laminates have the beauty of wooden Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets, but they are easier to clean and harder to damage.
If you are a fan of Scandinavian minimalist décor, then laminate is a great choice. It can be installed with stainless steel appliances and metal drawer pulls. You can even go a step further and build your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven or grill into your Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets. Just like a traditional dishwasher, these appliances can be recessed and then covered with panel or laminate, to form cohesive cabinets.
Modern AL Decisions
The modern Tuscaloosa consumer is often a Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) consumer. The focus of business and building decisions is prioritizing materials that consider health and environmental benefits. These decisions rarely mean a luxury, but perhaps an investment that will pay off in the future, such as using low-wattage bulbs in the home to save money on an electricity bill.
You have the choice to buy stock, semi-custom or customized Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets. One of these LOHAS decisions is buying local wood. If you like the look of hardwood, you have many Alabama-grown options to choose from, such as black walnut, pecan, sugarberry, hickory, eastern cottonwood, green ash, sycamore, oak, chestnut and more. Look for manufactured cabinet wood that is certified as North American hardwood by the Forest Stewardship Council. Even if you decide to go for plywood or laminate, you can choose Tuscaloosa-made plywood.
If you choose plywood, make sure it is not make with urea-formaldehyde resin. This bonding material has recently been shown to release formaldehyde gas when exposed to high heat. These fumes can cause respirator ailments. A simple question in the planning process may increase your home air quality considerably.
Another popular decision is incorporating reclaimed wood or materials into your Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets. Even if you choose stock kitchen cabinets, you can augment them with semi-customized touches like a wine rack or cutting board made from reclaimed wood. Some designers, contractors and architects have experience working with this type of wood, and they can help you use it in a striking way.
Other modern features in today's Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets are appliance garages, pullout shelving, vertical shelving and built-in drain boards. Appliance garages are a unique use of recessed counter space. Instead of keeping toasters, mixers and blenders out on the counter, they can be granted cabinets of their own and closed when not in use. It is a great way to avoid clutter and keep a cleaner kitchen.
Pullout shelves place compartments on tracks, so that garbage cans, dry goods and more can be easily accessible. Vertical shelving makes use of small spaces between larger cabinets. Tall, thin Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets can house platters, trays, and cookie sheets, until they are needed. Built-in drain boards funnel juices straight into the sink.
Tuscaloosa natives are known for their resilience in rebuilding. This spirit forms a strong Tuscaloosa family and a remarkable Alabama home presence. Your kitchen updates, like Tuscaloosa kitchen cabinets, can be an efficient change that brings the family together to form a formidable Alabama home.
