Kitchen Design Elements
Want to learn more about the general principles behind good design? You can read about the golden ratio and the 60-30-10 rule here. Explore the options for good proportion and color use too.
Then dive into design information specific to designing a high-functioning, beautiful kitchen. For example, learn the difference between face-frame and frameless cabinets, the history behind classic shaker cabinets, the best kitchen layouts, and the latest trends in kitchen design.
Ready to take this information to the next level and design your dream kitchen? Come to our Palm Desert Cabinet Showroom for a free consultation with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.
- The Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles
How to Choose the Cabinet Door Style that is Right for Your Kitchen When designing a new kitchen, one of the first decisions you will make is the style of your cabinet doors. Your choice will set the overall design direction of the room, from clean and contemporary to warm and transitional. A cabinet door style should also work closely with your choice of finish, hardware, countertops, backsplash, and other design elements. With so many options available, it can be helpful to understand the basic door styles before you start comparing samples. Here’s a look… - Kitchen Design – The 60-30-10 Rule
A Simple Kitchen Design Rule Creates Balance Have you ever walked into a kitchen and felt an immediate sense of harmony? You might not know why it feels so good, but the secret usually lies in the proportions. If you are planning a kitchen remodel, one of the easiest ways to create a space that feels balanced and professional is by following the 60-30-10 rule. This classic design principle has been used for decades because it works. It simplifies your choices and helps to tie together all your kitchen design elements, from the kitchen cabinets… - 2026 Kitchen Design Trends
Big Style Moves for Desert Homes Your kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it’s where morning coffee happens, where friends gather during dinner parties, and where your family creates memories. If you’re thinking about updating your space this year, you’re in good company. Kitchen design in 2026 is all about smarter layouts, personalized features, timeless style, and functionality that actually fits how you live, cook, and entertain here in the desert. Whether you’re planning a minor refresh or a complete transformation, these trends from industry experts and consumer research will show you what’s… - 2025 Kitchen Design Trends
The Modern Homeowner’s Guide to New Kitchen Design Trends In this blog, Cabinets of the Desert shares the very latest in new kitchen design trends to help you create a beautiful and functional kitchen. For Coachella Valley residents, the kitchen is often an extension of our vibrant indoor-outdoor living spaces, and according to the National Kitchen & Bath (NKBA) 2025 Trends report, calming earth tones, clutter reduction, and a connection to nature are all emerging kitchen design trends. Kitchen Design Trend: Warm Wood with Dark Accents Mid-century modern design has always held a special place… - Current Kitchen Design Trends
Beyond Bland: A Look at Current Kitchen Trends Picture this: Your kitchen isn’t a sterile white box, but a vibrant mix of natural textured cabinets mixed with the warmth of creamy quartz countertops. Sunlight streams through oversized windows, illuminating the aerodynamic range hood, its sleek lines punctuating a warm and modern space. This kitchen is designed for both enjoying quiet morning coffee and hosting friends and family for celebrations. This kitchen’s design tells a story of serenity, warmth, and welcome. This year, kitchens are ditching all-white monotony and embracing a new, warm, modern aesthetic. According… - Classic Shaker Cabinetry
Shaker Cabinets Elevate Your Kitchen Design with this Elegant and Practical Choice. Are you looking to give your newly remodeled kitchen a timeless yet stylish look? If so, consider choosing shaker kitchen cabinets. Shaker-style kitchen cabinets have simple, straight lines and flat-paneled frames. As a result, they offer a minimalist yet sophisticated look. They come in a full range of sizes, styles, and colors that can fit any space. This article covers the top things you need to know when considering Shaker cabinets for your kitchen. What Are Shaker Style Cabinets? Let’s begin with a… - 2023 Kitchen Design Trends
2023 Kitchen Design Trends According to the 2023 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, homeowners are still investing in kitchen remodeling. Cost-effective, sustainable choices, custom or semi-custom cabinets, and integrated and high-tech appliance purchases are all on the rise. If you are ready to remodel your kitchen, read on for some timely and timeless design advice to help you choose the perfect kitchen cabinets, appliances, and materials. Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles– Modern Classics Classic Shaker Style cabinet door styles have been around for over 200 years and will always be a timeless choice, but we are seeing… - 2021 Kitchen Design Trends
After a year of spending more time than ever in our homes, many of us are ready to give our surroundings a refresh and improve functionality. A renewed interest in cooking and baking, extended periods of studying, or working from home have all highlighted the necessity for dedicated spaces for family members. In fact, according to the 2021 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, 2020 was the first year that saw a reverse of the trend towards open-plan kitchens by nearly 10%. If you are looking for some inspiration—our curated look at 2021 Kitchen Design Trends… - 2 Useful Kitchen Layouts
In our New Galley Kitchen post, we talked about new modern galley kitchen layouts. In modern homes, these two parallel rows of cabinets open up to the family and dining areas. A century ago, kitchens were relegated to a service area at the back of the house. Today we use our kitchens as a primary room for entertaining, fully integrating them into our living areas. As a result, the L-shaped kitchen has become one of the most popular kitchen layouts. It edged out the U-shaped kitchen among U.S. homeowners remodeling in 2020 -according to recent… - Spring 2020 Design Trends
What are the Spring 2020 design trends to watch? Whether you are considering a full kitchen remodel or looking for a fresh look, take inspiration from this round-up. The Dark Side Opt for deep, dark units and contrast with brighter shades elsewhere to add depth and character to the space. Often overlooked as purely an accent color, black cabinetry and work surfaces are having something of a moment. Black cabinetry balanced with white countertops, flooring, and backsplash – plus gray accents are both on-trend and timeless. See more of this chic and livable kitchen… - New Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas
The Best Bet in Vegas Cabinets of the Desert attended last month’s 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held in Las Vegas, NV. There were some remarkable new home technology and artisanal kitchen design products that will appeal to the most selective home renovator. We are sharing a few of our favorites. Stop by our showroom in Palm Desert to hear more about the products.We are also offering a new product line of finely crafted handles from Belwith Keeler. The Well Designed Kitchen Sink First Wave – Delta Faucet Company’s line of voice activated faucets proved… - Trending Kitchen Design Elements
Your Short List of TrendingKitchen Design Elements Have an eye on design? Chances are that as a leading general contractor, you’re focused on construction plans, sustainable materials and bottom line costs. As a proven partner in what’s trending in kitchen designs, here is a short list of popular kitchen design elements that will add value for your clients, when envisioning their complete kitchen remodel. Such bold yet minimalist kitchen design trends will offer fresh alternatives to millennials and baby boomers alike. Stay tuned for the next set of kitchen styling elements courtesy of our professional… - Italian Kitchen Cabinetry
Italy Opens Its Doors Many of us know, firsthand, about the unrivaled food and wine that’s synonymous with Italy. Its art and history are also among the most notable in the world. Yet, how much do you recognize Italian kitchen cabinetry? Join Cabinets of the Desert’s Ed Pedalino and his wife, Barbara, on their first trip to Florence and the Tuscany Region. They’ll share moments from their memorable stay at the Hotel Rapallo, the exceptional wine bars and gourmet food [envision grilled octopus and truffle mouse] they enjoyed. Buon appetito. Plus, you’ll discover the beauty… - Designs on Your Bottom Line
We Have Designs on Your Bottom Line Is your workflow steady, but your bottom line diminishing? You’re not alone. Contributing to this trend is more than one key issue. Changing technologies that extend the life of select materials coupled with today’s more open design preferences are resulting in longer lasting home features and reduced finished wall space that can impact your profitability. Seeing reduced installs of drywall or baseboards? With consumers benefiting from more durable materials, such as in roofing, and choosing multifunctional great rooms, joined by more durable flooring and eco-friendly lighting, suppliers and… - Retired Living and Universal Design
The Next Generation of Retired Living Designs We can’t escape it. None of us. What, you ask? Aging. Despite being in better physical condition than prior generations, the inevitable changes occur led by mobility and vision challenges. Concurrent with this obvious claim is the notable increase in those choosing to “age in place,” by sharing their homes with grown children or their own mentally or physically declining parents. Safety and comfort, plus Universal Design are key to best serving your aging clients. Bathrooms are key areas wherein mobility can be difficult yet eased by comfort-height… - Style Meets Substance
Becoming as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional, modern kitchen and bathroom cabinets are evolving with distinctive style and substance. Of course, with space and storage leading the way in purpose, contemporary cabinet designs are more artfully blended with such present-day designs as contemporary, mid-century modern, transitional and traditional elements. Not your grandmother’s cabinetry, quality and competitively priced cabinets now appeal to “lighter and brighter” inside and out, and complement statement furnishings with a variety of rich finishes and unique accents. An innovative cabinetry resource, Cabinets of the Desert was formed to be highly responsive… - What’s on Your Kitchen Wishlist?
Dreaming of a new kitchen? There is no time like the present to start a wish list of ” can’t live withouts” for your future kitchen project. Cabinets of the Desert has an idea or two about what homeowners want in a kitchen and can help you make the kitchen of your dreams a reality. Here are a few kitchen features to take into consideration when planning your ultimate kitchen: While all of these functional elements are great ideas to consider, you will need to take time, space and of course, expense into consideration when… - Choosing Great Kitchen Cabinets
The Importance of Choosing Great Kitchen Cabinets Any contractor, real estate agent, or home buyer or seller knows that the added value in a home is found in the kitchen and bathroom spaces. Kitchens are a focal point of any home and for every dollar spent three times the value is added. Kitchen cabinets are the foundation of style and quality in the space, and they also serve to set the tone for the quality that can be found on the rest of the property. If the kitchen is not remodeled well then that is… - Faceframe vs Frameless Cabinets
Face Frame vs. Frameless Cabinets – What is the Difference and Should I Care? There are two industry-standard ways of building cabinets: Face Frame and Frameless. Frameless cabinet construction has been the industry standard in Europe for many decades. Frameless kitchen cabinets were initially developed to meet the need for durable and customizable cabinetry during the home building surge in European countries that followed WWII. Face Frame construction is more traditional in North American kitchen cabinet manufacturing.What do we mean by Face Frame construction? Face Frame cabinets are made with a wooden frame forming the…