House remodeling comes with several benefits that range from increased functionality, and more aesthetic appeal, as well as increased property value. When remodeling your home, one of the pivotal areas that guarantee you these and many other benefits is the kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately, most people have a clear understanding of their dream cabinets but do not know how to navigate the process and tips for choosing not just beautiful, but also functional cabinets for your needs. This article gives a comprehensive guide for selecting kitchen cabinets.
Effective Planning
Effective, and not just any other form of planning, goes a long way in determining the success of any project, and cabinet upgrading is no different. When planning, you have to study your kitchen needs, layout, style, design, and the dream you aim to achieve in the kitchen. You also have to determine your budget size, as this will advise other key aspects such as the cabinet material, hardware, finish, style as well as mode of installation. Having a clear budget estimate helps you to avoid extravagance and upgrading within your means. Kitchen layout, style and floor space will determine the type, style and design of the cabinets to install.
The best cabinets are custom-made
Select a Cabinet Style
With respect to kitchen cabinet style, you will explore options such as traditional, modern, transitional, and shaker. Traditional style fits well for ornate and detailed designs that are characterized by raised panel doors enhanced with some decorative elements. Modern style introduces us to flat panel doors coupled with minimalistic hardware. Transitional style provides a taste of both worlds, modern and traditional.
Choose the Material
When considering kitchen cabinet upgrades, you will sample cabinet materials such as solid wood, MDF, plywood and particleboards. Solid wood is highly durable when extracted from tree varieties like cherry, pine, and oak. However, it denies you the opportunity for versatile styles. Plywood is mainly used to construct cabinet boxes. MDF is the best since it allows for versatile styles and performs in wet and hot environments like those found in kitchens. When operating under a tight budget, particleboard might be your go-to option since it is cheaper than other materials. The major limitation of this material type is reduced durability.
Decide on the Finish
Your choice of finish greatly determines how the cabinet material will fair under constant water and heat. Painted finish offers an array of colors and patterns while glazed is designed to reveal the natural appeal of solid wood. Glazed is also used to enhance depths and highlight details, making it a popular trend in traditional cabinets.
Choose the Right Hardware
When sampling through kitchen cabinet hardware, for instance, door knobs, handles, hinges and slides, you have to consider the overall kitchen design as well as your kitchen ambitions. For minimalistic style, doorknobs and handles are replaced by soft push opening systems while the slides are fitted with soft close features. These are meant to enhance functionality by eliminating the annoying banging sounds of the common hardware.
Evaluate Storage Needs
Storage needs will also advise the cabinet size, design and style. For extra storage space, you can have tall cabinets or extend them to the ceiling. For orderliness and easier retrieval of items, you can introduce functionality elements such as Lazy Susans, spice racks, organizers and pullout shelves. When evaluating storage features, look out for customization options for a streamlined and speedy upgrade in the future.
Color and Finish Coordination
In the kitchen cabinet selection process, you also have to decide on the color of the cabinets. In traditional kitchens, natural solid wood grain and light colors were the most common in most kitchens. However, in the recent and present days, we are starting to see increased taste in dark colors. It is now common to find black matte, green and lagoon blue cabinets. While light colors make the room feel bigger and airy, their dark counterparts introduce an expensive and elegant look and feel.
Research and Compare Brands
As you go about shopping for cabinets in your upgraded kitchen, sample a few manufacturers and dealers. These will provide you with a wider variety while comparing prices. Even on a tight budget, let quality be your top priority but most importantly, look for a longer warranty.
We understand this process and tips might sound and seem daunting for some people, especially if you are busy. Hiring a professional can help speed up the selection process and achieve quality exemplary installation for an extended lifespan.