How to Choose Your Kitchen Cabinets
Remodeling your kitchen cabinets can be a tough job if you are looking for just the right look. There is no real right or wrong way to go about it, simply find a style that suits you and then fit it into the cabinet. If you are remodeling from scratch you will also have to consider your countertop, flooring, and fixtures. It might take some time to find everything so plan accordingly. But when you start, find easy fixes, such as opting for some beautiful new cabinet pulls, and more complex changes such as completely gutting your kitchen cabinets. So instead of stressing out about how to get the new look, you are after, check out the following beautiful ways to remodel your kitchen cabinets with some much-needed design inspiration.
Custom cabinetry. More homeowners today are choosing customized cabinets, and not just for looks but because it adds character to the kitchen. When done well, custom cabinetry in kitchen cabinets is actually quite inexpensive. Do take into consideration the cost of the materials, labor costs, and time spent putting it all together. But compared to the expense of replacing kitchen cabinets, it can be a one-time investment that is well worth the effort.
Cabinet fronts with custom doors. Custom cabinet doors can range from thin to heavy wood veneers, upholstered panels to solid wood panel doors, and even floating hardware such as recessed knobs on the upper cabinets. Pick a cabinet design that complements your countertop, flooring, and other features while allowing you to keep your kitchen cabinets aesthetically pleasing.
Interior tricks. Many home improvement stores feature do-it-yourself projects that will allow you to build your kitchen cabinets without hiring a professional contractor. While these may not be the best options, they can give you an idea of the time it will take to update your cabinetry. It is also possible that some of the new ideas you have about how to finish or refinish your kitchen remodel will give you some great design ideas for your remodeling project. Just be careful to choose something that matches your style instead of making it stand out like an sore thumb.
Countertop preparation. When you begin kitchen remodeling, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to use unfinished wood or pre-finished material. If you want to save money, pre-finished wood is generally the best choice. But if you want to reduce the amount of time spent applying stains or painting your countertops, unfinished wood is the best option. Unfinished kitchen cabinets are usually just installed as-is, so you will have to sand them and apply your own stain or paint if you choose to do so. This will take up a little more time, but you can be sure that the end product will look exactly as you want it to.
Kitchen cabinet construction and design. When choosing the types of kitchen cabinets to install, it’s important to get quality materials. While you can buy your kitchen cabinets at a major discount if you purchase them in bulk, builders often pass those savings on to customers by offering lower prices on labor. While there is nothing wrong with paying a bit more for labor, contractors also offer quality materials that can last a long time, saving you money in the long run. If you choose well, your countertops and cabinetry will look beautiful even years after your remodeling project is complete.
Appliances and duct work. If you are going to hire a contractor to remodel your kitchen cabinets, you should also expect to have to deal with some major kitchen remodeling work, such as installing new appliances and replacing leaky pipes and duct work. Many homeowners neglect to think about either of these tasks until after the project is complete, and end up having to replace appliances, or fix leaky duct work, after the fact. Major remodeling jobs like this require the skills of a professional contractor and the expertise of a qualified electrician, so it’s always best to plan ahead.
Base cabinets and countertop. One of the most important aspects of kitchen cabinet installation is the choice of cabinets you’ll use for your kitchen. You can choose from one of two basic types of cabinet: fixed-base cabinets, which are anchored to the kitchen wall; or floating cabinets, which are mounted on the surface of the kitchen counter. Fixed-base cabinets and surface-mounted cabinets have different pros and cons, so in order to get the best deal, it’s always a good idea to do some research before making your final decision.
