We’ve outlined some of the most important considerations to make when planning for your new kitchen cabinets.
Budget
The amount of money you have available will determine whether you hire a decorator, install stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets, or decide to go the simple route and strip the paint, sand, and refinish your cabinets yourself for a more DIY/upgrade approach.You’ll also want to think about the resale value of your cabinets when the time comes for you to move (if applicable). If increasing your home’s resale value is important to you, you may opt for an upscale renovation.
Style
You’ll want to select a style that complements the architectural style and interior design throughout the rest of your home. You can choose between natural wood finishes, painted, stained, or a laminate-style finish, plus framed or frameless cabinets.There are also aesthetic style considerations for how the finished product flows with the rest of the space—for example, a glossy or metallic-painted laminate finish would lend a more modern look, while an unpainted wood finish would create a more rustic aesthetic.
Layout
Whether you are planning to work with a designer or install the cabinets yourself, you’ll need measurements for your kitchen—unless, of course, your designer is going to do it all for you (in which case you’re lucky!). You’ll also need to consider the appliances in your kitchen, tricky spots (due to odd shapes or tight corners), areas of high traffic, and whether or not you want to change essential elements of your current kitchen’s layout.You may decide you need more countertop space and want to add a kitchen island to the middle of your kitchen. Or, you may realize that you need more storage space and less countertop space, in which case you may actually need to increase the number of drawers or cabinets in your kitchen—or replace some of the lower cabinets with drawers.
Type of Wood
This is where considering the architecture throughout the rest of your house may be especially relevant. In addition to choosing between lighter and darker types of wood, you’ll want to think about various glaze and wood stain options.Moreover, some types of wood are harder and more durable than others, but you may want a particular pattern of wood grain only available in certain types of wood. Perhaps, there is a particular type of wood that is of sentimental value to you and your family.
Cabinet Hardware
There are all sorts of knobs and handles available for your kitchen cabinetry. Not surprisingly, your budget will greatly affect the types of door handles you can afford. If you are handy with carpentry tools, you might even decide to craft your own hardware. If you’re feeling up to it, the sky’s the limit!Functionality
There are a few extras you may decide to add in order to increase functionality in your new kitchen layout. For example, you may want to add a wine rack, pull-out shelves, or a lazy Susan to the area beneath your kitchen island or food prep area. Or, you may decide to add more pantry storage space to your kitchen and upgrade the type of wood to a more durable, tightly bound grain in order to maximize functionality and longevity.What are some other factors that you’d consider when upgrading your kitchen cabinets? Share your thoughts below, and contact us so we can help you get started on your kitchen remodeling project, today!
