The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
A kitchen upgrade is undoubtedly one of the best gifts you can give your family. But besides that, kitchen remodeling will add significant value to your home.
If you are planning to renovate your kitchen, there are several tough choices that you will need to make. For instance, you will find that choosing kitchen cabinets is tremendously challenging. The good news is that with a little expert guidance, you can easily get cabinetry that will complement your kitchen.
So, are you wondering which criteria you can use to choose the superb kitchen cabinets? Read this guide for the best tips.
Kitchen Cabinet Styles and Doors
Cabinet doors are the highlights of all kitchen cabinetry. If you get these wrong, your kitchen will look dull. First off, focus on the style of the doors you want.
You will come across options such as slab, recessed square, raised arch doors, etc. Go for a pattern and color matching your kitchen theme. The goal is to give your kitchen a classy and uniform look.
Moreover, kitchen doors come with various elements. At first glance, you will notice that some have an ancient appeal, while others look modern. Base your choice on your tastes and preferences.
In terms of styles, the options available will not limit you. The most popular kitchen cabinet styles will include;
Bead board- Their highlights are recessed lines and beautiful bead patterns
Shakers- These have simple flat panel doors
Front Slabs- These have frameless board doors, beveling or ornamentation
Handle-free cabinets-These are modern cabinets with a latch or push system
Interacting with the different kitchen cabinet styles will help you envision your desired outcome. In fact, it might provide you with other excellent remodeling ideas.
Cabinet Doors
The typical cabinet door is solid, but incorporating glass panels may help you acquire a better outcome. It will also provide the much-needed contrast and make your kitchen look vibrant. In the sections where you want to conceal kitchenware, go for a cabinet with frosted glass panels.
Clear glass on your cabinetry will be ideal if you want to display your kitchenware. The advantage of adding glass panels to your kitchen cabinets is adding some internal lighting. These lights will enhance the appeal of your kitchen.
Consider Frames When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
You may opt to go for frameless or face frame cabinets. Most traditional kitchen cabinets fall in the face frame category. With such cabinets, you will get a solid frame.
The solid frame will support cabinet doors or any glass panels you want. Your cabinet doors or drawers will either overlap the frame or be partially in-set. Face-frames will also provide formidable structural stability.
Frameless cabinets will incorporate superior quality products. With these, you can explore the contemporary design style. Unlike face frame cabinets, frameless cabinetry will better conceal the door hinges.
Cabinet Wood and Color
When choosing kitchen cabinets, your decision will largely revolve around wood and color. Do not hesitate to ask if you don’t know which type of wood will last for long. At this point, working with a kitchen designer will come in handy.
If you want your kitchen to look bright, go for white cabinetry. Darker wood may also bring out the best in your kitchen, especially if you prefer a subtle look.
With wood, you can choose a variety of finishes for your cabinets. Avoid combining painted and finished wood. To maintain the natural appeal of the wood, you can go for a clear finish. If you don’t know where to start, here is a list of available options;
Wood laminate
Painted
HI-Gloss
Solid Wood
Gloss
Stainless steel
Your choice of wood and color may also narrow down to your budget. Nevertheless, you can almost achieve any look you want with any wood. But if you want durability, you might have to go for hardwood.
Stock vs Custom Kitchen Cabinets
As you remodel your kitchen, you will need to choose between custom and stock cabinets. Custom cabinets will accommodate your creativity. You can add unique features you normally wouldn't find in typical kitchen cabinets.
With stock cabinets, you will not have much freedom to express your creativity in fine detail. These cabinets are pre-manufactured. And your supplier may deliver them pre-assembled or ready-to-assemble.
You are likely to pay more for custom cabinets than stock cabinetry. However, this will not guarantee superior quality. Your supplier will only make your custom cabinets when you place an order.
The advantage of a custom cabinet is that you can decide on the color, shape, layout and size. On the other hand, stock cabinets will come in various options. But you will have to work with the available styles and designs.
Unfortunately, this might be limiting.
Cabinet Layout
The layout is another factor you will need to consider when choosing kitchen cabinetry. Your choice will revolve around the six types of kitchen layouts. These include;
L-shape
U-Shape
Parallel
Island
Galley
Open
L-shaped cabinetry will be ideal for your kitchen if you don't want many worktops. The Galley layout will be more suitable for a small-sized kitchen.
Nonetheless, there will be plenty of options to consider. And you will need to go for the layout that brings the best out of your home.
Free-Standing or Built-In
Free-standing and built-in cabinets have their strengths and weaknesses. And before you settle for a particular option, you will have to examine your budget.
The installation costs of built-in kitchen cabinets will be high. Part of this is because a lot of work goes into them. Free-standing will give you more value if you are on a budget.
Built-in Cabinets
With built-in cabinets, your designer will install the shelves along the wall. This type of cabinetry will allow you to use the space more economically. For example, using these cabinets will help you get the most out of the available storage space if you have a small kitchen.
However, built-in cabinets will also do well with large kitchens. If money is not a factor, it will narrow down to your tastes and preference.
Free-standing Cabinet Styles
Free-standing cabinets are stand-alone. The best part is that you can re-arrange them as you wish. So, they will come in handy if you are looking for flexibility. If you decide to move, you can opt to carry them with you.
The only challenge is that free-standing kitchen cabinets are quite demanding in terms of space. If you have a spacious kitchen, this should not be an issue.
Storage Options
Kitchen cabinets also come with different storage options. You might want to add many functional features to your kitchen remodel plan, especially if your kitchen is old. The internal fixtures for your cabinets will include shelves and drawers.
Your choice will depend on how you want to access the storage space. You can either go for the traditional cabinet door or pull out drawers. Most kitchen cabinets will combine both.
Adding several racks to your kitchen cabinetry will allow you to use the space more creatively. If you are a wine enthusiast, add a wine rack.
In modern kitchens, plate racks have become a necessity. It will help you separate your plates and arrange them meticulously.
Cabinet Hardware
Handles are the highlights of kitchen cabinets. You have nothing to worry about if you want handle-free cabinetry for your kitchen remodeling. However, if you love handles, carefully select your kitchen hardware.
Bar pulls can give your kitchen cabinets an eloquent look. They are also ideal for a minimalist finish. Other kitchen hardware options include recessed pulls, drop pulls, knobs, and cup pulls.
Choose Kitchen Cabinets That Are Befitting for your Home
When choosing kitchen cabinets, your kitchen remodeling journey may seem impossible, but following this guide should provide limitless possibilities.
If you want to remodel your kitchen, you don’t have to do it alone. Working with professionals will deliver better results.
At Silver Lake Cabinetry, we provide a wide variety of kitchen cabinetry. Whether you are renovating or building a new kitchen, we have something for you. Contact us today for the best kitchen cabinets.