Sophisticated Metal Frame Cabinetry For Contemporary Kitchens

Metal frame kitchen cabinets are gaining immense popularity in contemporary kitchen designs. With sleek finishes and customizable inserts, metal cabinetry brings a refined yet eye-catching element to modern kitchen spaces.

An Introduction to Metal Frame Kitchen Cabinets

Metal frame kitchen cabinets feature durable metal surrounding glass, wood, or other inserts to create doors and drawer fronts. Rather than all-metal cabinet boxes, the frames provide an outer structure that offers customization and aesthetic appeal.

Stainless steel and aluminum are common metal frame materials praised for strength, fire-resistance, and a lighter weight than wood. The frames can then be paired with frosted glass panels or inset with alternate finishes for a mixed aesthetic.

Beyond conventional cabinets, metal frames also create attractive open shelving, accent doors for appliance garages, and unusual display cases to highlight favorite dishware.

Benefits of Metal Frame Cabinets

Why consider metal frame cabinets? Key perks include:

• High durability for busy kitchen spaces
• Easier cleaning than wood cabinetry
• Resists heat, water, and potential damage
• Customizable with glass/panel inserts
• Sleek style for modern designs
• Value if replacing cabinets each renovation

The rigid frames also enable more narrow designs, increased storage through deeper cabinet boxes, and improved weight support for pull-out shelves/drawers.

Leading Metal Cabinet Brands

Quality manufacturers helping metal frame cabinets shine include:

• Dura Supreme: Specializes in aluminum cabinets/accents
• Canyon Creek: Known for steel frames with wood panels
• Bellmont: Focused on brass, copper and stainless frames
• Wood-Mode: Custom cabinetry with metal frame options
• Snaidero: European brand with steel and glass designs

Styles of Metal Frame Kitchen Cabinets

From stainless steel to bronze, let's explore popular metal frame kitchen cabinet options making a statement.

Sleek Stainless Steel Cabinet Frames

Iconic stainless steel frame cabinets offer an architectural, industrial edge. When surrounded by wood or quartz counters, the lustrous frames provide eye-catching contrast.

Benefits of stainless frames include:

• Semi-transparent mesh material
• Resists corrosion, rust and heat
• Neutral color works with any scheme
• Easy-to-clean, durable surface

IKEA is well-known for its stainless steel kitchen components, including shelves, tables, and appliance housing. For cabinetry, the company offers METOD frames with steel mesh inserts in various sizes.

Sleek & Strong: Aluminum Frame Cabinets

Prized for aerospace applications, aluminum brings lightweight strength into home kitchens. Beautifully mimicking metal beams, aluminum frames add architectural interest.

Advantages of aluminum frames:

• 30% lighter than stainless steel
• Resistant to corrosion
• High heat tolerance
• Custom bending forms interesting angles

With innovative manufacturing techniques, Dura Supreme produces aluminum frames for custom cabinetry. Unique finishes, commercial-grade hardware, and custom insert options enable completely personalized designs.

More Metals: Bronze, Brass & Steel Frames

Beyond stainless steel and aluminum, other metal kitchen cabinet frames shine through quality craftsmanship and striking finishes.

Eye-catching options include:

• Oil-Rubbed Bronze: Dramatic dark color; living finish evolves over time
• Polished Brass: Glamorous gold tone mimics high-end hotel aesthetics
• Textured Steel: Hammered finishes provide dimension and visual interest

For small-batch production with precision welding, American manufacturers like Copper-Inc. produce custom frames in various metal styles. Their focus includes brass, bronze, galvanized steel and copper.

On-Trend Metal Finishes

From rich wood grain textures to sleek metallic shine, metal frame finishes create showstopping style.

Low-Key Onyx: Matte Black Metal Cabinets

Deep charcoal cabinetry brings timeless drama, equally at home in modern lofts and farmhouse kitchens. The rich, low-sheen color provides a neutral backdrop to display vibrant cookware and dinnerware.

Both Dura Supreme and Canyon Creek Cabinetry offer custom matte black aluminum frames. Paired with inky black hardware, it's a stunning monochromatic statement.

Polished Nickel: Cool-Toned Shine

With its subtle silver coloring and faint warm undertones, polished nickel metalwork brings contemporary glamour. The luxe finish plays well with other kitchen metals from chrome to iron.

Designers often recommend pairing polished nickel with futuristic glass tile, gray-veined quartz, or glossy lacquered cabinets. The sheen provides tasteful bling to offset neutral backdrops.

Antique Brass: Vintage-Inspired Warmth

Inspired by early 20th century decor, antique brass finishes provide a welcoming golden glow. Often "living finishes" that change over time, the patina adds character and dimension.

Use an aged brass frame to soften contemporary spaces with rustic warmth. Contrasting brass and black accents make a bold statement.

Innovative Cabinet Inserts

From mirrored glass to decorative metal grilles, door inserts maximize metal frames' customizable potential.

Frosted, Patterned & Colored Glass

Panelized glass door inserts enable metal frames to steal the show. Available textures include:

• Frosted: Obscures contents while permitting light
• Patterned: Created through etching or lamination
• Colored: Tinted glass like green, blue or gray

Consider adding LED lighting to illuminate glass textures. Uplighting creates visual impact and makes locating items easier when glass obscures contents.

Unique Metalwork Inserts

Alternate metalwood inserts like perforated sheets or laser-cut patterns add visual punch within frames. Mix materials within one cabinet for asymmetry.

Stainless steel mesh grants a see-through effect without fragility concerns. Or opt for solid aluminum inserts in contrasting finishes to the external frame.

Mix & Match With Other Kitchen Styles

Thoughtfully balancing metal cabinets among other materials creates a custom-designed space versus a showroom look.

The Winning Combo: Metal Paired with Wood

Wood's natural texture beautifully complements sleek metalwork. Limit metal cabinetry to a statement feature wall or island to maintain a welcoming aesthetic.

Displaying metal and wood frame styles side-by-side enhances visual interest through contrast. If opting for all-metal frames, incorporate natural wood accents like open shelving, ceiling beams or window frames to balance the space.

Quartz Countertops: A Study in Contrast

Pairing metal cabinetry with quartz countertops creates impact through contrast. Crisp white or dramatic black quartz countertops highlight metallic finishes. Neutral grays with slight veining also complement without competing.

Quartz surfaces work especially well beside glass-fronted metal cabinets, as their solid surface draws the eye towards transparent details. Their durability also suits busy kitchen spaces.

Design Ideas: Incorporating Metal Frame Cabinets

Strategic design choices ensure metal finishes enhance spaces instead of overwhelming.

Focal Feature Wall

Devoting one wall to floor-to-ceiling metal cabinetry makes the ideal focal point. The uniform metal texture creates a cohesive feature wall that's easier on the eyes than sprinkling metallic accents throughout.

Consider using the wall behind the stove or opposite the kitchen entryway. Contrast the metallic statement wall with painted or wood cabinetry elsewhere for balance.

Mix Metal Frame Styles

Incorporate dimension by selecting several metal frame finishes for different parts of the kitchen. Varied metals make each area feel considered.

Try coupling a brass hood range or copper sink base with stainless steel lowers and an aluminum-framed island. Repeat finishes through metallic fixtures and hardware for harmony while allowing unique shine.

With striking style melding architectural edge and sleek customization, metal frame kitchen cabinets infuse contemporary spaces with tailored sophistication.

Whether used sparingly to punctuate granite countertops or combined across fixtures for unified modernism, metal cabinetry makes a spectacular style statement.

It's never been easier to design a showstopping kitchen combining cutting-edge materials and quality craftsmanship with the array of metal types.