Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinets
When you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, it stands to reason that you will take a look at your existing cabinets and decide whether you can replace them with new kitchen cabinets. Your kitchen cabinets are a major focus in your kitchen and play a major role in creating the atmosphere you want to convey in your new kitchen design.
On the average, about 70% of your new kitchen remodeling budget should be targeted for new kitchen cabinets. Therefore, a well-informed decision is in order for the smart homeowner.
How Do You Know Which Kitchen Cabinets are Right for Your Home?
An amazing array of different door styles, wood, finishes, sizes and hardware options is available for you to scrutinize. It’s possible that the wide selection might seem overpowering when you first begin your search.With a little consideration, you can choose wisely and find the kitchen cabinets that will not only provide the stunning look you want when everyone enters your kitchen, but give you the functionality and efficiency you also need for your cooking and entertaining pleasure.
Think about these things when starting your search for new kitchen cabinets:
Cooking for Your Family
Think about who spends the most time in the kitchen and make sure that person has some input into the kitchen cabinet selection! Not only is it important that your new kitchen cabinets look good and coordinate with your new design, but you also need to make the most of your space and make sure this fits the needs of the primary cook of the home.
Expert Advice Might be in Order
Since you’re about to spend a big chunk of your remodeling budget when you purchase kitchen cabinets, you want to make the best decision possible. If you feel you need some professional guidance before earmarking more than half your budget for kitchen cabinets, don’t be too proud to ask for good advice. Architects and kitchen designers will be glad to help you decide what’s best for your situation.
New Kitchen Cabinets on a Slim Budget
If you’re working with a limited budget, you can still end up with a great new look in your kitchen. There are always options, so don’t get discouraged!You can purchase mass-produced kitchen cabinets instead of going with the more expensive custom-designed cabinetry. And although your choices may not be as varied as with the custom designs, you can find great values and still have an eye-catching design with cabinets that will also provide the efficiency you need.Be sure to measure your room and your areas for cabinets carefully so you can find the best looking cabinets that will look natural in their designated spaces. You can also incorporate shelves and simple-to-make corner shelves if these will work easily into your plan.Choosing less expensive kitchen cabinets might allow you more flexibility elsewhere in your kitchen remodeling project for new appliances, hardware, or fixtures. Take all your upgrades into consideration before making your final choices.Get Style, Convenience and Efficiency in your New Kitchen Cabinets
1. Determine the Amount of Space You Have – Some kitchens have rather normal spaces, but some kitchens (especially small ones) often have unique little spaces that aren’t the norm. If your kitchen is one of these, try to spend the extra money it takes for custom cabinets so they will look like they were made for the space. Kitchen cabinets that look out of place will not do much to improve the appearance of your kitchen.
2. Choose Quality Finishes if Possible – There are all kinds of beautiful wood finishes available such as maple, oak, or cherry and they are easy to spot when you walk into a kitchen with these fine finishes. You’ll recognize these finely crafted kitchen cabinets by the grain and quality appearance from one piece to another.
3. Explore the Durability and Warranty - If your interest and budget call for less expensive, easy to clean surfaces, consider thermofoil or laminate kitchen cabinets. Check out the warranty when buying thermofoil or laminate kitchen cabinets since these won’t last as long as wood cabinets – know what you’re getting.
4. Consider the Appearance and Functionality – Naturally, style and appearance are important factors in selecting kitchen cabinets, but you should also make sure your cabinets will provide the best functionality possible in your kitchen. Your kitchen cabinets must endure a lot of use from you and your family members.
5. Dimensions and Cabinet Construction – The type of construction used on your cabinets will certainly impact the durability. Drawers with dovetailed joints are sturdier than stapled ones. Doors with fitted mortised corners are stronger than non-interlocking butt joints. Make sure kitchen drawers extend completely and are equipped with self-closing glides rated to hold 75 pounds. The best cabinet doors should have 3/4-inch thick face frames and 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick sides. Shelves should be 3/4-inch thick and made of veneer-covered plywood, which is less likely to warp than solid wood.
Can’t Afford New Kitchen Cabinets? Here’s an Alternative
If your kitchen remodeling budget just won’t allow for new kitchen cabinets, there are other options that can provide a fresh new look in your kitchen. A great option for a striking, chic new look for old cabinets is refinishing. Also, you might consider refacing just the door and drawer fronts to save even more.
Another alternative to new kitchen cabinets is to buy a less expensive wood and stain it to resemble your favorite wood color. If you don’t have the budget for cherry wood, buy pine and use a cherry finish to create the look you want. There are many options available – just be creative!
Regardless of your circumstances, you can have beautiful kitchen cabinets that fit well into your new kitchen design. Just remember that your cabinets make a bold statement in your design, so don’t settle for less than you have to – consider these two helpful hints:
· Make the best choice you can make – your kitchen cabinets are the focal point of your kitchen
· Be sure you will have the storage space and functionality you need
The right kitchen cabinets give your kitchen the appealing atmosphere you’ve been looking for. They’ll help to make things more convenient while adding to the ambiance of the kitchen to keep it the favorite room in your home – a place where all who enter like to visit and get together for food and fun.
Find high-quality discount cabinets and kitchen cabinets at amazing wholesale prices direct from the manufacturer and their authorized suppliers. So many styles, types, finishes, woods, and designs to choose from! Create the kitchen of your dreams with great savings from DirectBuy and find practically everything else you need to redecorate, remodel, or build a new home. Make your next home remodeling project as easy as possible when you shop the DirectBuy way.
Tags: Custom Cabinets, Kitchen Cabinets, Storage Cabinets, Wood Cabinets
August 31st, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I keep hearing about recessed panels and raised panels, etc. What are the differences and which doors are higher quality?
September 10th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Hello, Carol,
That’s a great question!
According to the cabinetry experts at DirectBuy, the cost of cabinets is directly related to the style and detail of the doors, so it’s important to educate yourself on the different types and figure out which will work best with your budget.
Here’s a quick primer on the differences between these two panels:
Raised panels are usually three-quarters of an inch thick and made of solid wood. Because of their thickness, they can be routed and milled for more detail. The thick, solid wood will give you a satisfyingly solid sound when you close your doors, rather than the more tinny sound you can expect from plywood.
Recessed panels are typically a quarter-inch thick and made of plywood. Because they aren’t as thick and aren’t made of solid wood, these panels aren’t as expensive as raised panels. If you’re looking for an Arts and Crafts or Shaker style for your kitchen, these panels can give you a simple, clean look at a lower price than you might expect.
If you’re torn between choosing between the look of raised panels and the lower price of recessed panels, there’s another option you might like. Many companies are making panels that look raised, but are actually plywood. They’re typically 15-30% less expensive than plywood, and the untrained eye can’t tell that they’re not raised panels.
September 12th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
We like the cabinets that have doors that don’t have any spacing in between them so that you aren’t able to see the base of the cabinets. Do all cabinet types offer doors like this, or are there only specific types?
September 25th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Hi Race,
Great question! The doors you choose for your cabinet play a huge role in the overall look of your kitchen, so it’s important to discover which types you like best.
According to the cabinetry experts at DirectBuy, the styles that you’ve been noticing are known in the cabinetry industry as frameless cabinets. These cabinets are constructed without a face frame, and the cabinet box construction of these types is typically 5/8” or ¾” thick particleboard. Special hinges are applied to the box so that the doors can cover the edges of the box for a full overlay look.
Most cabinet manufacturers offer the full overlay door style. However, when the door is closed, you may typically see about ¼ of an inch of the base. This reveal is necessary for the doors to open properly without conflicting with the doors of adjacent cabinets.
Some cabinet industry insiders warn that the face frame is the structural integrity of the cabinet, so think carefully about opting for frameless cabinets and discuss all the options with your manufacturer.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
What is considered to be the best type of wood for kitchen cabinets? We really like cherry, but I’m not sure if that is a wood type or a finish.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:01 am
Hi Jane,
That’s a common question among homeowners. As you may already know, hard woods are ideal for kitchen cabinets, as they are more durable for everyday use. The most popular of these types? Oak, maple, hickory and cherry. Many people love the beautiful look of cherry cabinetry, although it’s important to note that cherry will darken as it ages. However, more and more soft woods, including pine and alder, are used for kitchen cabinets.
Some cabinetry manufacturers will use the term “cherry” as the finish color, which is applied over another wood species to give the cabinets a cherry appearance. When selecting your cabinetry, verify with your manufacturer the actual type of wood used.
October 9th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Do you recommend installing new kitchen cabinets on our own even though we have very limited experience, or is this too daunting a task that we should hire a contractor?
October 11th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Hi Ed,
That’s great that you are interested in taking on DIY projects! However, kitchen cabinets are one task that is best left to the experts. If your cabinets aren’t installed properly, it can compromise the functionality and integrity of your kitchen. And it’s no fun to spend more time and money later to have a contractor re-do what you’ve done incorrectly.
You can find many beautiful cabinet options that won’t break your budget at your local DirectBuy showroom. Plus, you can take advantage of their local suppliers, contractors and installers program for a variety of remodeling projects, including kitchen cabinet installation. These services are just some of the many benefits of a DirectBuy membership, and can help you save time and money as you create the home of your dreams.
If you’d like to try other DIY work around the house, DirectBuy has interior designers and product specialists trained to help you figure out which projects are a little more “DIY” friendly, and which products you’ll need to complete your project – all while staying on budget.
January 9th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinets | DirectBuy Articles – Direct Buy Home Remodeling & Decorating…
Choosing the right kitchen cabinets can make all the difference in your new kitchen design. A few helpful hints can help you make the best choices so your dream kitchen can become a reality. Discover how you can choose great new kitchen cabinets….
January 13th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinets | DirectBuy Articles – Direct Buy Home Remodeling & Decorating…
Choosing the right kitchen cabinets can make all the difference in your new kitchen design. A few helpful hints can help you make the best choices so your dream kitchen can become a reality. Discover how you can choose great new kitchen cabinets….