Sorting Through Kitchen Cabinet Choices
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Before you spend a big chunk of your remodel budget on cabinets, make sure you’re choosing wisely. Upgrading your kitchen brings personal pleasure and adds real value to any home. Cabinet choices usually devour the bulk of a budget during a kitchen remodel. Because they are a major investment (and one that’s not likely to be made again anytime soon), you’ll need to sort through the available options and make choices with confidence. Here’s how to pick the best cabinets for your kitchen.
Freshen Up
Before Upgrading Your Kitchen, Learn How to Choose the Right Cabinet Design, Style & Color
If existing cabinets are of good quality, are in excellent working condition,and the layout functions well, the most affordable option is to freshen them up by restaining or painting. Another alternative, refacing, involves installing a new veneer on the exterior of the cabinet box and replacing the doors and drawer fronts, and should be handled by a professional. The process is much faster than installing new cabinets because the cabinets remain intact and the work is done onsite. However, be forewarned that when it comes to cabinets, doors and drawer fronts account for the greatest expense. “Sixty to seventy percent of the cost of the cabinet is the door,” says Jeff Cannata, past president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and president of Designer’s Showcase Kitchens & Baths Inc. in Carol Stream, Ill. “So, if you’re paying for someone to put a new door or a new drawer in … it might be more affordable to shop new.” And with new cabinets, there’s an added bonus: the freedom to explore different layout possibilities.
“We pay close attention to detail and your ideas to make the best cabinets possible.”
New and Improved
Get a Kitchen Cabinet Design Option that Works for You
When you decide to install new cabinets, there are other choices ahead. Are custom cabinets required, or will stock cabinets fit the bill? Custom cabinet choices are built to exact specifications and offer endless options of materials, designs, finishes and accessories. Choosing custom cabinets requires the longest lead time and is the most expensive route.
Semi-custom cabinets are just that: semi-custom. While the cabinets are made to the homeowner’s size requirements, the manufacturer produces them in predetermined increments. Often a spacer may be needed to conceal unused wall space, and that sacrifices storage. The range of materials, designs, finishes and accessories are limited with semi-custom cabinets, but they cost less than fully custom cabinets. Stock cabinets, which are the least expensive of new cabinet options, are pre-made and come in standard sizes.
Though stock cabinets often get a bad rap in terms of quality of construction, there are many on the market that are made of solid wood. “I will say that eight out of 10 kitchens could probably be done with stock cabinetry. And what I mean by that is a good designer can design with any line,” Jeff says. “Anyone can say, `Oh, I need this cabinet to be 21 ½ inches.’ A good designer should be able to design using a 21-inch cabinet.” No matter what type of cabinet is selected, it’s important to evaluate the quality of hinges, doors, drawer systems and finish. “Homeowners should choose cabinets that offer at least a five-year warranty, according to Al Pattison,” president of NKBA. Here are some ways to make a beautiful kitchen that will impress friends and family.
Benefits of Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Custom kitchen cabinets are our specialty and we want you to know their benefits over stock cabinets. Our team at Sunshine Alliance Cabinets & Millwork will assist you with the design and creation of beautiful and stylish cabinets. Our expertise as leading cabinetmakers allows us to build the highest quality cabinets with the best materials at the most competitive prices. We pay close attention to detail and your ideas to make the best cabinets possible. Here are the advantages of custom-made cabinets over stock and semi-custom cabinets:
- You choose the design, style, layout, size, and shape of the cabinets.
- It’s your choice of cabinet material, not someone else’s
- You select the hardware: pulls, knobs, hinges
- You have the pleasure of choosing the colors, finishes, and accents.
- The heights above and below countertops and special considerations are your ideas.
- Use your own preferences for shelving, an island, and pantry.
Our skilled team of artisans works with you every step of the way with design, scheduling, and budgeting. We provide a full warranty on all our work and make follow-up visits to ensure your complete satisfaction your kitchen project. Now is the right time of year to call upon our cabinet making skills and expertise.
Construction and Style
There’s a Vast Range of Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles & Colors to Choose From
Next, consider the construction type and door style. Framed cabinets, which are popular in traditional kitchens, have a front frame around the cabinet opening. The door attaches to the frame.
Frameless, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The door attaches directly to the side of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets, which are often used in contemporary kitchens, offer an advantage over framed cabinets. Because there is no front frame, there is wider open access to the cabinet interior. When it comes to door styles, there are several choices. Traditional-overlay doors cover some of the frame, full-overlay doors cover the entire cabinet frame, and inset doors sit inside the cabinet frame.
Accessorize
A Convenient Pull-out Drawer
After giving thought to the cabinets’ exterior, turn some attention to their functionality, intended use and interior features. “It used to be that we would place cabinetry in the room and make it functional,” says Al. “(Now) every cabinet has a purpose.” Pullout drawers for pots and pans, oversized drawers for baking sheets, and designated cabinets for trash and recycling are some examples. Accessories like lazy Susans, built-in spice racks, drawer organizers and other cabinet extras make the kitchen a much more efficient and enjoyable place.
Hardware
Select Quality Kitchen Cabinet Accessories
As a finishing touch, add pulls, knobs, handles, hinges, and drawer slides to cabinets to match you kitchen’s decor. Hardware comes in a wide variety of styles at all price points and contributes to a truly customized look. Here are some options to consider:
- Sizes and types of material
- Colors and finishes
- Styles of hardware
- Their placement on doors and drawers
- Standard or self-closing drawers
- Standard or heavy-duty drawer slides
- Catches and latches
- Check out this article on selecting knobs and pulls.
Bruno Romano is a Custom Cabinet and Millwork Specialist who takes pride in every job done, small to large. He is determined in providing the best customer service and quality woodworking to South Florida residents.
