SOLID WOOD KITCHEN CABINETS INFORMATION GUIDES

Here at Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets we offer a range of cabinet door finishes. From sanded to lacquered to painted, and in a variety of house ‘styles’ – such as Shaker and Traditional – these frontals are a fantastic finishing touch for oak kitchens.

Frontal finishes from our signature range

Our beautiful ‘Signature’ range forms the core of our collection, and features our six most popular finishes. First, you may wish to opt for a sanded option, which enables you to add a finish or treatment of your choosing. Next, we offer a hard-wearing lacquer finish for frontals; this is the same finish used for our solid oak cabinet units, allowing the two to blend together seamlessly. Finally, our ‘Signature’ range comprises four paint colours from our manufacturers of choice, Farrow & Ball, and includes: New White, All White, Mizzle and Parma Gray.

Bespoke cabinet door colours

If you would prefer to choose a paint colour from outside our ‘Signature’ range, we have a number of bespoke options available. Our extensive selection of ‘Bespoke’ finishes encompasses Farrow & Ball’s entire collection of beautiful, high-quality paints.

If you prefer gentle pastels, shades such as Farrow’s Cream, Pale Powder and Light Blue are wonderfully delicate, and – thanks to their unimposing nature – are ideal for painting entire kitchens with.

For a slightly stronger statement, you may prefer to opt for accent colours like Pigeon, Elephant’s Breath or Vert De Terre. These paints look excellent when standing alone, but are also easily paired with other complementary colours.

If you like to be bold, Farrow & Ball offer a striking collection of bright colours for added dramatic impact, such as Charlotte’s Locks, St Giles Blue and Brinjal.

Whilst our ‘Signature’ range of painted doors are kept in stock at all times, please note that cabinet frontals with bespoke colours choices incur a small surcharge and a slightly-extended lead time.

How to select your finish of choice

To pick your preferred finish when ordering your cabinet frontals with units online, simply follow these steps:

• Hover your cursor over the ‘Solid Oak Kitchens’ tab on our homepage.
• Select the type of cabinet unit you would like to order.
• Click the green ‘Buy Cabinets with Doors’ button.
• Choose whether you would like ‘Shaker’ or ‘Traditional’ door styles.
• Select whether you would like a frontal finish from our ‘Signature’ or ‘Bespoke’ range.
• Click on any colour swatch to see it applied to your cabinet frontal.
• Once you have picked the finish you would like, click ‘Buy’ beside the swatch of your choosing.
• If you opt to order a ‘Bespoke’ option from Farrow & Ball’s impressive range, you will need to specify the paint colour name in the ’Order Notes’ section at checkout.
• You will now be asked to pick from a selection of drawer styles, should you require them for any of the units you would like to order. If you do not wish to select them yet, simply click the grey ‘I will select later’ button at the bottom of the page.
• You are now presented with a collection of units (either base or wall, depending on which you opted for at the beginning) with the finish you have selected; explore the page and add the ones you would like to your cart.

To select a finish when ordering cabinet doors only:

• On the homepage, hover over the ‘Solid Oak Kitchen Doors’ tab.
• Click the blue ‘Buy Cabinet Doors Only’ button.
• Choose between ‘Traditional’ and ‘Shaker’ door styles.
• Choose your preferred finish from our range.
• If you select the ‘Bespoke’ option, simply specify the paint colour name in the ’Order Notes’ section at checkout.
• Select the type of door and dimensions you require, then type the quantities needed beside the item and click ‘Purchase Items’ at the bottom of the page.

If ordering over the telephone, simply specify your finish of choice when you speak with a member of our sales team.

Ordering samples

With our helpful cabinet frontal sample service you can discover the high quality of our solid oak and the meticulous finish of our cabinet doors, all from the comfort of your own home. These miniature replica frontals measure 355mm (H) x 296mm (W) and are available in Traditional or Shaker styles, and in any finish.

About Farrow & Ball paints

Both our ‘Signature’ range and our bespoke collection consist of only the finest-quality, environmentally-friendly paints. These paints are water-based and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds), making them the perfect choice for a home environment.

All painted frontals are meticulously finished in such a manner as to coat the wood’s grain without disguising it, displaying the beautiful characteristics that contribute to the sought-after appearance of solid oak.

If you would like to place an order for solid oak cabinets, frontals or samples, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephoning 0345 22 22 990 or emailing [email protected].

The kitchen work triangle concept has been applied for decades to help homeowners plan an efficient kitchen layout that minimises traffic and maximises productivity. Dating back to as early as the 1940s, the work triangle incorporates a number of principles that are perfect for creating a strategic layout for solid oak kitchens and appliances.

The kitchen work triangle is a relatively simple principle to apply, and is often praised by interior designers as the best starting point when remodelling your kitchen. However, every home is unique, and all properties certainly have their quirks, so don’t worry about bending the rules slightly if necessary.

WHAT IS THE KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE?

The kitchen work triangle aims to connect the three most important areas of the kitchen – namely the refrigerator, the sink and the cooker – in a logical layout that utilises the space most effectively.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THE KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE?

1. First, the distance between each of these areas should be at least 1.2 m (4 feet), and no more than 2.7m (9 feet).
2. If you add together the distances between each of the three areas, the total should be between 4m (13 feet) and 7.9m (26 feet). If the sum of these three distances is less than 13 feet, your kitchen is likely to feel cramped. If it exceeds 26 feet, you are likely to be wasting time and energy walking unnecessary distances.
3. Each side of the triangle should not be intersected by more than 30cm (12 inches), by solid wood cabinets, a kitchen island or any other item.
4. Finally, position your kitchen work triangle so that it will not impinge on a primary walkway.

THE KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE IN PRACTICE

The kitchen work triangle has now been used by design experts and homeowners for more than seventy year: a fact that attests to the concept’s timeless practicality. If you would like to discuss your new kitchen design, please contact us by telephoning 0345 22 22 990; emailing [email protected]; or by visiting one of our kitchen showrooms.

Many fans of our oak kitchens may be familiar with the ‘kitchen work triangle’ concept, which helps determine the most effective layouts for an efficient, well-planned kitchen. The work triangle targets the three primary areas a kitchen-user will utilise, namely the stove, sink and the refrigerator, and ensures they are sufficiently far apart to prevent crowding, but close enough to allow for easy transitioning between stages of the cooking process. This popular design concept was developed in the 1940s, and is still often referred to today. However, much has changed since the notion of the work triangle was originally conceived, and space planners now also use ‘zoning’ to configure layouts for the modern kitchen.

The intention of creating kitchen zones is to clearly divide up different spaces of your kitchen with the purpose for which they are intended in mind. In the 21st century, this concept is often seen as more practical, as modern day kitchens tend to exhibit a greater variety of sizes and arrangements. Furthermore, unlike the kitchen work triangle, the design concept is also relevant and useful for those with an existing kitchen who do not wish to relocate their refrigerator, sink or oven.

Kitchen zoning can be applied to any kitchen, whatever its size or shape:

Step 1: Divide your kitchen into five zones

• Cooking zone – the area where your oven, range or stove is located, alongside a microwave (if you have one)

• Food preparation zone – the area where your cut, chop and prepare fresh produce, be it a portion of worktop, a kitchen island, or a butchers block trolley.

• Cleaning zone – the area that contains the sink and dishwasher (if you have one)

• Consumables zone – the area where most food is stored, which may be divided between kitchen cabinets, for dry goods, and the refrigerator, for fresh food.

• Non-consumables zone – the area used to store kitchenware such as crockery, dishes, cutlery, glasses and mugs.

Step 2: Store items within their relevant zones

To improve your kitchen’s functionality, items should be kept within their respective zones. This makes them easy to find, making the cooking process much more efficient.

Keep cooking tools close to the area they best relate to. For example, knives, chopping boards and utensils should be located near to the food preparation zone, where they are most likely to be needed. Similarly, baking trays and cooking utensils should be situated within reach of the cooking zone.

Step 3: Store dishes used on a daily basis in a cabinet close to the sink or dishwasher

The next step saves time and effort when stashing away items that have recently been washed up. Shortening the distance between the draining board and the cupboard designated for plates and bowls eliminates too much walking back and forth.

Step 4: Locate your food preparation zone adjacent to your cooking zone

As in step 3, this strategic placement of your kitchen zones is a logical move, and makes transferring food from chopping board to pot as easy as possible. In a perfect world, the preparation zone and your cooker should not be more than a few paces apart, saving time and reducing the risks of dropped food. It is best to keep the preparation space clear of any unnecessary countertop items that could be located elsewhere.

For those with kitchen islands, you may wish to capitalise on this space as a larger food preparation area. In this case, we advise locating these two zones directly opposite from one another, so you simply need to turn to move your freshly prepared produce from the chopping board to the stove.

Step 5: Get creative with storage solutions

Efficient kitchen zoning can be very rewarding, and has a significant impact on many of your daily activities. If yours is a kitchen of modest proportions, you may benefit from integrating such handy storage solutions as space-saving wirework or accessible wicker baskets.

Other solutions for maximising your cabinet space include stackable shelves, hanging baskets on an under-cupboard pot rail, helping you ensure all your kitchen items remain within their designated zones.

Whether you are planning a new kitchen or simply perfecting your existing one, zoning is a practical way to ensure your culinary experience is as easy and efficient as possible. If you would like to get in touch to discuss your new oak kitchen, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0345 22 22 990, or email .

In many bustling kitchens, storage space is at a premium, and we can often find that cupboards overflow and infrequently-used condiments are tricky to lay a hand on. To help our customers make the most of limited storage space and maintain a calm and well-organised kitchen, we supply a number of storage solutions that make the perfect finishing touches for solid wood kitchens.

Wirework

Our popular wire baskets can be integrated into wooden kitchens in a number of ways. For base units, we supply a set of two pull-out drawers, which make it far easier to access items that would otherwise be a struggle to find at the back of the cabinet. We also provide three-tier herb racks that can be easily attached to the inside of your cabinet, in order to maximise the storage space within.

For corner cabinets that many find difficult to reach into, we offer a number of solutions! If you’re looking for an addition to an L-shaped cupboard, our Corner Carousel includes two tiers that rotate, making the contents of your unit far more accessible. Alternatively, for a corner solution cabinet, our Magic Basket Pull-Out has a clever configuration of four baskets that helps maximise the potential of previously unused space. This option also comes with the opportunity for left- or right-handed opening, according to the design of your kitchen.

Another superb wirework solution for limited space is a soft close pull-out space saver, either as a 150mm height or full height option. These items are ideal for making the most of narrow spaces, packing maximum storage potential into minimal floor space. A broader alternative is the ¾ height larder, which can be fitted inside a full height cabinet whilst still leaving space for extra shelving to be installed above.

Wicker Storage Baskets

For a traditional kitchen, wicker storage baskets are a beautiful alternative to shelving, evoking the look of a classic countryside residence. Available for either 500mm or 600mm wide cabinets, our wicker baskets are made from naturally-grown European white willow and hand-woven into a sturdy and aesthetic storage solution. Easily installed within smooth oak surrounds, this basketry offers ample room for fresh produce (or anything else you might like to store) and is a splendid complement to solid oak cabinets.

Solid Wood Cutlery Tray Inserts

Keep cutlery drawers perfectly organised with a solid wood cutlery tray insert. These carefully crafted organiser trays have been meticulously engraved with cutlery symbols to denote each section, and are available in a variety of timbers, including oak, beech, American walnut and iroko. Our fabrication team are also able to produce cutlery trays from other timbers upon request.

Our wooden cutlery trays are supplied in a range of sizes to suit a variety of drawer widths, from 310mm (the ideal size for a 400mm drawer) up to 910mm (for a 1000mm drawer).

Each item is supplied fully sanded for you to finish to your preference, but we always recommend oiling with Rustins Danish Oil: this treatment creates a stunning finish whilst protecting the timber.

Oak Plate Racks

A convenient alternative to storing commonly used crockery in a cabinet, our solid oak plate racks keep items close to hand and make for a decorative kitchen feature, too. A fantastic complement to oak cabinetry, these racks come with dimensions of 1200 x 342mm – which hold up to 24 plates – and can be easily cut to fit any kitchen cabinets, without the need for specialist equipment. To ensure plates are held securely, we suggest fitting a plate rack at the front and back of the shelf.

These attractive plate racks can be provided in a finish to suit any kitchen, as they are available lacquered, painted (in any Farrow & Ball colour of your choice) or sanded (for you to add a finish of your choosing).

To find out how to maximise space in utility rooms, please read our ‘Using Solid Oak Kitchen Cabinets to Create a Perfect Utility Room’ information guide.

Savvy storage devices provide a perfect method by which to create a serene, clutter-free kitchen. If you require any more information on these products, please don’t hesitate to visit our website. Alternatively, please contact us by telephoning 0345 22 22 990 or emailing and we will be happy to help!