We build our cabinets to last

But some materials are more durable than others. Some cabinet materials are better suited for having small kids or pets in the house. You may want to rethink those alder cabinets with applied molding, solid panel, doors if you have toddlers running around the house licking cookie batter off of spoons. We all know those sticky fingers grasp doors and climb up drawers any way they can.

Laminate Cabinets

If you're in this situation, a laminate material might be for you. Stop thinking about the ugly cabinets in your doctor's office. Those are most likely laminate, yes, but it's not the only solution. Believe it or not, this kitchen is using laminate cabinets:

There is plenty of warmth and charm with a well-chosen laminate

Here we are using "thermafoil" shaker style doors in a soft-white color. The thermafoil - which is a process that wraps an mdf door in a thick plastic foil, is designed for residential use and is really really durable.

The thermafoil is intended to look like a natural material, but of course combining it with the natural floors and the butcher block countertop helped tie the look together and give it a "painted" shaker look and feel.

Check out more pictures from this kitchen below.