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Helpful Tips for Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
On average, a minor kitchen remodel will cost you around $20,000; for a major one, that amount jumps to $60,000. When you sink that much into your home, it's understandable that you may be afraid you're making the wrong choice when it comes to picking such a simple addition.
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But not to worry! We're here to lend a helping hand.
Are you about to start a remodeling job? Then you'll want to keep reading! In this article, we'll give you some helpful tips on choosing kitchen cabinets.
Keep the Whole Picture in Mind
Whether you're just getting new cabinets or are doing a whole kitchen remodel, you have to keep the whole picture in mind.
For example, you may currently have (or are aiming towards) a light wooden theme. While you're cabinet shopping, maybe you've come across some wacky bright pink vinyl cabinets and you love them.
But take a minute to think about how your entire kitchen looks. Sure, a pop of color here and there might work, but bright pink vinyl cabinets against light wood? That's sure to clash.
If you find cabinets you love, make sure it passes the test of fitting in with the rest of your kitchen aesthetics. If it doesn't, as much as it'll pain you to do, you'll have to cross it off the list.
Choose the Door Profile First
There are so many elements to buying cabinets, so which one first?
We'd suggest the door profile. There are a few options available:
- Recessed meter
- Raised arch
- Recessed square
- Slab
If you're a fan of simplicity, then slab's the best to go with. The recessed square is also simple but adds a bit of dimension.
The recessed meter looks similar to the recessed square but has even more dimension. And last, but not least, the raised arch makes things a bit more smooth instead of sharp.
Factor in the Material and Color
Most people like to go with wood for their kitchen cabinets, but if you want to think outside the box, you can also go with plywood, particleboard, melamine, thermo foil, or stainless steel.
Since these aren't as commonly found as wood, you may be more limited in choice if you go with a material other than wood. Obviously, you'll want to think about the color and texture theme of your kitchen too, so make sure something like stainless steel won't ruin the aesthetics.
If you're set on wood, then keep reading. We'll talk more in-depth about this material below.
What to Think About for Wood
Wood is a whole subcategory in itself since there are so many different types of trees from around the world. Some examples are:
- Cherry
- Maple
- Oak
- Alder
- Hickory
- Birch
- Walnut
- Pecan
Each of these woods has its own characteristics and comes in unique ranges of colors. For example, pecan wood can range from white to dark brown, or even reddish-brown.
Not to mention they all have their own "fingerprints" as well. No two pieces are 100% alike, even if they're cut from the same tree. When you choose wood as the material for your cabinets, you're truly getting something that's one-of-a-kind.
Think About Functionality
Having your kitchen cabinets fit in aesthetically with everything else is just one half of the equation. Functionality is the other half.
A kitchen cabinet may look great in theory, but will it fit all your pots, pans, plates, bowls, and anything else you need to store? Its main purpose is to store things, after all, so it won't do you any good if you can't fit in any of those things.
Plus, think about the layout of your kitchen. Is there anything directly across from your cabinets that may obstruct the opening of them? If so, then you'll have to consider getting cabinets that have sliding doors instead of ones that swing outwards.
The Devil's in the Details
Not only do you have to think about what material and color your cabinets are, but you'll also have to deliberate over the hardware. That's a whole other issue to think about.
For instance, do you want handles, knobs, or pulls? And what material do you desire? What color?
Again, you'll have to take the overall aesthetics of your kitchen into consideration. Don't like a small detail like an off-color knob offset your whole cooking atmosphere.
Finish With the Finish
Lastly, take a look at your choices for the finish. The simplest type for a wood cabinet is to just have it stained, glazed, or painted. Staining or glazing it will let you retain the natural patterns in the wood, while painting it will give you a more uniform look.
If you want to go fancier, you can consider crackle and distressing. These finishes will give your cabinets an antique look.
Consider Getting RTA Cabinets
Shop RTA cabinets to make life easier. "RTA" stands for "ready to assemble," which means you can put them together in under half an hour!
Plus, these are typically cheaper than custom cabinets. However, don't mistake this with lower quality. Many RTA cabinets are just as durable and beautiful as custom cabinets, so consider this option if you're shopping on a budget and need to furnish your kitchen fast.
Choosing Kitchen Cabinets Can Be Easy
With our helpful tips, choosing kitchen cabinets will be an easy and smooth process. With that out of the way, you'll be free to decide on other things, such as the flooring, new sink, and other fancy appliances.
So keep these tips in mind to make your kitchen remodelling project less stressful and more fun to do!
For more helpful articles, please check out the rest of our blog posts.
About the Author Laura Bennett
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
