How to choose the right kitchen cabinets

When redesigning kitchen space, kitchen cabinets are the backbone of your dream kitchen to come. They can be the jumping board for the rest of the redesign, so give your new cabinets some careful thought. Understanding your own needs is key to choosing the right kitchen cabinets and we’ve compiled some tips to get you started on your journey.

Questions You Should Ask Yourself

You don’t have to know exactly what you want when you first begin looking for new kitchen cabinets, but there are a few helpful questions you can consider to get you started. Try asking yourself:

1. What do I like or dislike about my current kitchen cabinets?

This is perhaps the most important question to ask yourself when you’re looking for new cabinets because it provides you with a direction to head in. For instance, if you like the style of your current cabinets you can then ask yourself why they then even need to be replaced at all. Perhaps you’ll realize they do not provide you with enough storage to suit your needs and suddenly the kind of cabinets you’re looking for becoming very clear: a similar style to the current cabinets but deeper for more storage. The whole process will simplify your search.

2. How long am I planning on staying in my home?

The answer to this question will ultimately determine who the update is for, so you can be strategic about it. If you are planning on staying in your home for the indefinite future, look for kitchen cabinets that you love and suit your own personal style. You could even consider having custom or semi-custom kitchen cabinets made, if you know you are going to be there for years to come. Alternately, if you know you’re planning on putting your home up for sale within a couple years, choose neutral cabinet designs and classic styles. These will be appealing to a wider range of potential buyers who will like the fact that they will not have to immediately replace more unique styles.

3. Will the new kitchen cabinet design go with the design of my home?

If you are just replacing the cabinets to update your kitchen you will have a fairly good idea of what will seamlessly fit into the style of the room. Take colors, textures, and finishes into consideration so that you don’t end up with an awkward looking kitchen. This, of course, can be more difficult when you’re in the middle of a full renovation and not everything has been decided yet but just follow your instincts and common sense. Just be careful with colors!

4. How much storage do I need?

There is nothing worse than going through the trouble of picking out your new kitchen cabinets and having them installed only to realize that they don’t store everything you need them to! Suddenly all your hard work seems in vain and you now have to also reorganize your kitchen, or at the very least get rid of some things. Be honest with yourself about how much storage space you need before you go shopping.

5. Is a kitchen island a viable option in terms of space?

Kitchen islands are wonderful kitchen features. They provide storage, can be used for casual dining, and offer prep space. They are popular amongst homeowners and can even add value to your home. Unfortunately, not every kitchen is properly designed for an island and the space available will determine whether you can get one. There should always be at least 2 and ½ Ft. surrounding all sides of the island to ensure that it remains comfortable. Without this buffer area, the kitchen will feel cramped and unpleasant to work in.

Custom Made Versus In Stock

Once you have asked yourself all of the questions listed above you can start looking for your new cabinets. There are a few different routes you can take to find the perfect set.

In Stock

Most people find new cabinets this way because it is the fastest and often the easiest solution. All you have to do is find a retailer and browse their wide range of cabinets to find the right ones for your home. The downside to this method is the cabinets are mass produced and only come in set sizes, finishes, and colors. “What you see is what you get” is the motto here. 

Custom Made

Everyone loves custom-made furniture. It allows you to have unique designs which are tailored to your home to ensure you get your dream kitchen. This is especially recommended for homes which have unique requirements and functionality needs. The price-tag which comes with custom cabinets tend to be the main deterrence for homeowners though. 

Semi-Custom

Semi-custom kitchen cabinets are the happy medium between their in stock and custom made counterparts. They are pre-manufactured like the in stock ones, but they come in a wider array of options, finishes, sizes, and colors. You can choose special details at a lower price than custom made cabinets, so to many homeowners, these cabinets represent the best of both worlds.

What to Look For in Kitchen Cabinet

Below are some important things to look for when you’re looking for your perfect cabinets.

Guarantee and Warranty

It is never a bad idea to select kitchen cabinets which come with a warranty or guarantee because it shows confidence in the product on the part of the retailer. Always go with cabinets that come with at least one of the two.

Material

Plywood has long been considered the premium material for kitchen cabinets because it is durable, has a long lifespan, and a pleasant appearance. It is, however, more expensive than some other materials like MDF and particle wood which are essentially made from pieces of wood which have been pressed together. As is the case with most things, these options are appealing because they are less expensive but they are not as high quality or long lasting. Particle wood and MDF are susceptible to moisture and have been constructed from harsh chemicals which are used to hold the wood together. There is a time and place for each material, just choose carefully which one is right for you.

Wood species

Even though you can alter the look of your cabinets with paint and stain, the wood itself often is the foundation of the appearance. The species of wood determines the basic hues and textures so think about some wooden furniture you liked in the past and find out what kind it was. For instance, cherry wood will provide you with a rich and deep reddish cabinet which instantly adds a level of formality to the space while birch keeps thing light and airy.

Finishes

Look for cabinets which have either a high solids content finish, lacquer, or catalyzed varnish. These finishes will increase the durability of the wood and make them less susceptible to environmental factors. There are even UV protected finishes available now which are recommended for cabinets in kitchens which receive a lot of sunlight.

So what if you’re planning on Resale?

If you know that a resale is in the cards for you there are a few factors to take into consideration before you put your home on the market. After all, the kitchen is often listed as the most important room in a house among potential buyers. It can either make or break the deal.

Functionality

Be honest with yourself about the functionality of your kitchen and cabinets. Figure out both its strong points and its shortcomings. Think about storage, space, appliances, and appearances and then plan accordingly because these are things potential buyers will look at. Often small upgrades can improve situations, like new cabinets which can upgrade storage and overall appearance.

How Much To Invest in a Remodel

Figure out how much work needs to be done before the house goes on the market, and then prioritize rooms while you set your budget. Keep in mind that the kitchen has the highest return in home value after a remodel at over 60%. So if your kitchen makes the list as a feature that needs an upgrade before resale, make sure it gets the attention it deserves.

 

Conclusion

Remodeling your kitchen is an exciting project and it will be enjoyed for years to come while also adding value to your home. Keep all of these factors in mind but don’t forget to have some fun with it too, after all, it does not have to be a serious project the entire time. So get started today!