Kitchen Cabinet Remodel Options
Kitchen cabinets are one of the most notable and defining features of a kitchen. Cabinets in combination with kitchen countertops account for approximately 50% of the cost of an average kitchen remodeling project. As such, it is very important to be aware of the different cabinet options available to you.
The first step in remodeling kitchen cabinets is choosing a style, whether it’s contemporary simplicity or classic Victorian. If you need help defining your particular style, grab some architecture and design magazines and do some research online. When choosing a cabinet style, you’ll need to consider the overall theme and decor of your home. You definitely don’t want to install cabinets and then find that they clash with the rest of the elements in your house.
After determining your style, you will need to consider the space. Are you expanding the kitchen or just remodeling the existing space? How much space can you allocate to your kitchen cabinets? Once you have an idea of the space constraints, start drawing a floor plan. Measure the dimensions of the room and draw the layout you want. Bring this floor plan with you when you start looking for your kitchen cabinets. As you’ll soon discover, kitchen cabinets can be standard, semi-custom, or fully custom. Standard cabinets come in standard sizes and shapes, with few design options and only a handful of wood and stain options. Regular cabinets are the least expensive and can usually be delivered in two weeks or less. Semi-custom cabinets are slightly more expensive than standard cabinets and offer a few options, such as divided knife drawers. If standard and semi-custom cabinets don’t work for you, you should redo your design or go the custom design route. Custom cabinets can be very expensive and are usually built with nested drawers and mortise and sinew construction. Options and size can be tailored to your specific needs. Do you like to cook? Your cabinets may have built-in spice racks and pull-out chopping blocks and tray accessories for garlic, potatoes, onions, etc. Do you like to drink wine? Your kitchen cabinet can be designed to have a built-in wine rack.
When shopping for cabinets, check the displays, test the doors and drawers to see if they open and close smoothly and quietly. Ask what type of wood the cabinet is made of, maple, cherry, birch, oak, alder, etc. Woods vary widely in terms of price, texture, color, durability, weight, etc. Feel the surface of the wood with your hand; if it’s rough or rough, look elsewhere. High-quality cabinets should have solid frames, doors, and drawer fronts. Examine the cabinet door frames. In general, framed cabinet doors have a traditional look that blends well with classic styles. On the other hand, frameless doors have a cleaner appearance that is more in line with modern styles.
Once you’ve researched and considered the various kitchen cabinet options available to you, you should make a list of the options that are most important to you. If it’s within your budget, it’s time to start comparing cabinet prices both in retail stores and online. With your kitchen cabinets in good shape, you should start looking for professional kitchen contractors and asking for quotes.