In a modern kitchen design, having a lot of stainless steel appliances is part of the style. In old world, Tuscan and other decorative kitchen designs, having the appliances hidden behind panels can suit the style of the room better. Kitchen paneling, whether utilizing wood panels similar to the cabinet fronts, or custom wood or metal panels, can help transform a kitchen into more than just a place to cook.
Uses for Kitchen Panels
There are many types of kitchen panels available. Appliance panels, such dishwasher panels, are often a continuation of the cabinet fronts, masking garbage disposals, warming drawers, microwaves and other modern appliances and keeping them out of sight. A refrigerator panel may fall in line with these, or may take on a style suited to the rest of the kitchen design.
Many refrigerator panels will be constructed of a full cabinet, with heavy carved cabinet doors, or custom metal panels with etched or hammered designs, making the refrigerator into a work of art. In some cases, these decorative elements will be repeated through the kitchen backsplash, and in smaller panels on wine coolers, mini bars and islands.
Designing with Kitchen Paneling
The kitchen paneling should always follow the rest of the kitchen décor. For instance, a Tuscan kitchen that has a tumbled marble and handpainted stone backsplash, dark wood cabinets with decorative moldings and finials, would be complimented by having the smaller appliances masked in cabinet paneling, and the refrigerator doors paneled in a hand carved, wood design.
A home with a tin ceiling, can repeat this element in metal refrigerator panels in a pattern that shows off the homeowner’s personal style, running a smaller version of this through the backsplash. For instance a home near a lake might have water themed panels on the refrigerator and a backsplash of fish swimming through swirls and waves.
Distressed wood panels and copper panels with a patina applied can give an antique feel to a farmhouse kitchen, while homeowners hoping to achieve a simple, understated look, can use shaker or slab cabinet fronts to cover appliances and keep the attention on other spaces.
Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers have panels available for kitchen appliances in styles matching the cabinets. In many cases, these will be thin veneers that are applied to the front of the appliance doors. Specifications for the appliances being used will need to be forwarded to the cabinet manufacturer at the time of the cabinet order, to ensure a proper fit.
Artisans, wood crafters and metal smiths are often able to create custom paneling once the appliances are in place. Full cabinets that contain refrigerators will need to be made to fit the space, as well as the appliance, so templating should be done after the kitchen is framed and the appliance is on site.
Visit a local kitchen showroom to begin getting ideas for paneling a kitchen, and transform the kitchen into something truly extraordinary today.
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