A kitchen door is not just a decorative element; it also serves as a protective structure designed to contain the aromas and sounds associated with cooking within the kitchen space. When selecting doors for your kitchen, it is advisable to prioritize options that can effectively fulfill their functions. Afterward, you can focus on aspects such as color, shape, and other design features to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.
What Functions Does a Kitchen Door Serve?
The kitchen is a technical space where food is prepared and ingredients are processed. The majority of its area is occupied by kitchen equipment.
During the cooking process, there can be a lot of smoke, steam, various odors, and sounds in the room, so installing interior doors becomes essential. When deciding on the type of doors to install in the kitchen, consider options that can fulfill the following functions:
- Contain Cooking Odors and Cleaning Agents
Prevent the spread of smells from food preparation and the use of harsh cleaning agents. - Isolate Kitchen Noise and Other Sounds
Shield kitchen noises, as well as sounds from a running television or conversations, providing a quieter environment. - Ensure Child Safety
Without door panels, children may accidentally injure themselves or get burned during cooking with hot dishes or operating household appliances. Families with young children should prioritize selecting the safest interior doors for the kitchen. - Create a Cozy and Comfortable Space
Closed doors contribute to a more compact and aesthetically pleasing interior, becoming a crucial element of the decor.
Choosing the right kitchen doors involves considering these functions to enhance both the practicality and visual appeal of the kitchen space.
What Should a Kitchen Door Be Like?
There are several general recommendations when it comes to choosing the most suitable doors for the kitchen. Pay attention only to door panels that meet the following requirements:
- Relatively Lightweight
Opt for doors that are lightweight. - Smoothly Move on Hinges or Pivot Joints
Doors should move freely on hinges or pivot joints. - Quiet Opening with a Minimum 25mm Gap
Doors should open quietly, without slamming, and have a minimum 25mm gap between the panel and the floor for even air circulation. - Close Tightly to the Door Frame
Doors should fit snugly to the door frame. - Effectively Block Sound and Odor Transmission
They should effectively prevent the spread of sound and odor.
As for the door shape, a rectangular form is the most sought-after option for those looking for a budget-friendly and practical kitchen door. If the door is intended as a decorative element, a semi-circular model can add originality to the style, although such a choice is less common.
Solid wood products rarely meet these requirements as they are heavy and can deform over time due to steam and moisture. To use wooden options in the kitchen, ensure they have undergone proper drying during production. Additionally, solid wood models are best suited for rooms larger than 10 square meters, with sufficient distance from the stove and sink to prevent water splashes and exposure to temperature fluctuations.
Having considered the potential material options for door panels, let’s delve into how to choose interior kitchen doors based on this parameter.
A great choice for the kitchen can be models made of modern composite materials. Their advantages include lightweight construction, functionality, and durability. They perform well in high humidity conditions, which is crucial for kitchen spaces. The most affordable options are panels covered with:
- PVC
This is a type of inexpensive film that can come in any color, even imitating the surface of wood. Its downside is its quick fading in sunlight. - Enamel
A practical and safe coating for door panels. Enamel surfaces usually have a smooth and even texture, making any scratches and dirt highly noticeable.
If you’re interested in how to choose a wooden door for the kitchen but can’t afford a solid wood one, models with veneer coating are an optimal choice. Veneer is a thin slice of natural wood that is more resistant to moisture but direct contact with water is not advisable. Veneered doors are an excellent choice not only for the kitchen but also for the entire apartment. They are affordable.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for kitchen doors, consider a model made of eco-veneer, which is a thin sheet material made from wood chips mixed with glue. Despite its low cost, such products are safe, practical, and resistant not only to moisture but also temperature variations.
This is an excellent choice for families with children or pets who may damage the panel, as eco-veneer exhibits increased resistance to mechanical damage.
When choosing the best door for your kitchen, many prefer glass products. They visually expand the space and make both the kitchen and the adjacent room or corridor brighter, as they allow more sunlight to pass through. However, glass items are impractical for working spaces as they quickly accumulate dirt, soot, fingerprints, and require more careful and frequent maintenance. The most suitable option is panels with vertical, diagonal, and horizontal glass inserts.
How to Choose Kitchen Doors: Practical Recommendations
It’s essential to coordinate interior doors throughout the entire apartment in a unified color scheme. The ideal scenario is when they come from the same manufacturer, share a consistent style, and feature a uniform pattern. Minor differences in construction and shade are acceptable; for instance, some panels may be solid, while others may have glass inserts.
When contemplating the best door for the kitchen, consider the layout of the cooking area and its overall size. If the space is small, and the working area is near the doorway, it’s advisable to opt for budget-friendly products that can be easily replaced. In this case, laminated panels or those covered with eco-veneer are ideal choices. On the other hand, if the kitchen is spacious, and the stove is located at least 2 meters away from the doors, there are no specific requirements for the door selection, and you can choose any model that fits your budget.
When exploring door options for the kitchen, take into account the design not only of the room but also of the furniture. If the kitchen is styled in a country theme, using white plastic doors may be inappropriate; wooden products would be a better fit. If there are windows or doors leading to a terrace, these elements should match in color and design. Windows and doors should complement not only the furniture or flooring in color but also the entire interior style.
The last recommendation on choosing the most suitable interior doors for the kitchen pertains to color. If the entire space is decorated in a complex color scheme, you can opt for vibrant door panels. In rooms with bright floors and walls, white doors can visually expand the area. For pastel interiors, doors in contrasting tones can serve as an interesting accent.
