When renovating or remodeling a kitchen, your choice of kitchen cabinets may be the most important choice you make. Cabinet selection is important for two reasons.
First, the cabinets you choose for your new kitchen will be the items with the greatest visual impact. In the average kitchen, cabinets are mounted on or against at least two walls (or the equivalent), and perhaps more. Cabinets will also create the base of an island, whether they are designed for cooking or casual dining. The cabinets you select will set the look of your kitchen.
Second, the cabinets you select will account for about half the total cost of your kitchen renovation or remodel. Although you can find and buy cabinets in a wide range of price categories, this is an almost universally applicable rule of thumb. Good cabinets are not cheap. Most kitchen contractors and designers will agree that kitchen cabinets are not the place to skimp when designing a new kitchen. Your cabinets will last longer than your kitchen floor, your appliances, and possibly your countertops (depending on the material you choose).
Characteristics of a good kitchen cabinet construction:
- Avoid drawers attached with glue, nails, or staples.
- Avoid drawers made with fine particle board
- Test the drawers before you buy to make sure they will hold around 75 pounds when open
- The box or cabinet box should be made of wood 1/2 inch or thicker on all sides.
- All cabinet surfaces must be finished, including back and inside sides.
- Kitchen cabinets should have adjustable shelves (this is a clear indication of the quality of the construction)
- All shelves in kitchen cabinets must be 5/8 inch or more thick, otherwise they will arch
- Check the quality of the hinges (most should be invisible from the front, no squeaks and no metals that rust easily) and make sure the doors open fully
- The best kitchen cabinets are made entirely of solid wood.
- A plywood box or case with solid wood frames and doors can be a good quality product.
- Some reliable kitchen cabinets are available at a lower cost because they are built with plywood brackets and use medium to high density particle board for the door and drawer fronts. Others use laminate over particle board.
The cabinet design installs cabinet doors in two ways. Frameless construction was a very popular adoption of European design in the 1960s. The style is still very popular in contemporary kitchens. In this style, the door covers the entire cabinet box or box. Alternatively, in framed construction, the doors are installed in a way that leaves a frame around the outside of the door. Framed construction is the norm in traditional, country, cottage, and many eclectic cooking styles.
Ways to buy kitchen cabinets:
- Detachable cabinets can be purchased and taken home the same day. Many homeowners can install these units themselves. These are the least expensive types of cabinets and can be the perfect choice if you are on a budget.
- Stock kitchen cabinets are available only in standard sizes and limited styles and finishes because they are mass produced by the manufacturer. They are also a good option when the budget is tight.
- Semi-custom cabinets are also available in standard sizes only. There is a greater selection of styles, finishes, accessories and options. These provide some more flexibility in your kitchen design.
- Custom cabinets, while available from some cabinet companies, are most often purchased from local cabinetmakers. These cabinets are made to order and therefore built to the exact specifications of your needs. They are more expensive, but offer the greatest variety in wood, finish, style, size and special and unique details.
- Hybrid approaches are also very popular. Working with a cabinetmaker to select kitchen cabinets you like from a manufacturer. The cabinetmaker then installs the standard-size cabinets and customizes others for special sizes and needs, as well as adding personal keys and special features.
Many inserts and built-in features are also available to provide organization and ease of access to items stored within your kitchen cabinets. From pull-out work surfaces to drawer fronts for refrigerated drawers, corner door covers for small appliances and wine racks, you can customize your cabinets in a variety of ways to meet your needs. It is possible to create a cabinet or work surface with a suitable design for every need.
There are also a number of functions available or customizable to meet the needs of people with disabilities. These include lower work surfaces that are retracted or stationary and leave an open space underneath. Removable Organizers, Lazy Susans, and other enhancements to make items easily accessible.
This basic information should help you start making decisions about your new kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind when shopping that the look of your kitchen makeover will be largely determined by the cabinets you choose. Your cabinetmaker will be able to help you consider the wide range of ways you can personalize your cabinets and create a unique kitchen design.