Are you looking to install new cabinets in your kitchen? If so, check out this guide to learn the top tips for choosing new kitchen cabinets.
New kitchen cabinets can be expensive; they can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,200 per linear foot.
This is the exact reason why you should be careful when choosing new cabinets. You have to consider which construction, material, and style you need to choose according to your budget, preference, and storage needs.
Because of these considerations, it can be hard to know where to start. There are too many options to go through, but we’ll help you with that.
Know where to start and how to choose the right cabinets for you by reading our tips below.
- Choose Either Stock or Custom Cabinets
If you have a specific look you want for your kitchen, you may have to get custom cabinets. You’ll be able to request a specific design according to the measurements of your kitchen. You dictate all aspects of the cabinets: the material, style, construction, and so on.
As you can imagine, this is the most expensive route.
If you’re in a financial pinch and you don’t have a design in mind, consider buying stock cabinets instead. The manufacturer sells these in standard sizes. Because they’re premade, you don’t have a choice in material, style, and construction.
Stock cabinets are the cheapest option. They come in a wide variety of materials and designs, so you’ll still be able to choose the style you want in a price you can afford.
There’s an option in-between, though, which is semi-custom.
You have more flexibility with semi-custom cabinets. You can have them made to your requirements but only to a point. The manufacturer still has predetermined increments, which means you may still have unused wall space.
With this route, you have fewer designs, materials, finishes, and such to choose from. Still, you may consider them for their lower price.
Another option is a ready-to-assemble cabinet. These are available at big-box retailers like Ikea. You can save even more money when you buy RTA cabinets.
You may also have to still hire a professional to install them. Cabinets are different from beds and such that you can DIY without prior knowledge.
- Determine How Much Storage Space You Need
Are you okay with your current storage space or do you think you need more?
Take that into account when choosing new cabinets. If you have a lot of stuff on your countertops, you may have to add some cabinets to store them in. The less you have on your counters, the bigger your working space is and the less clutter you have.
Then, determine where you’re going to put the new cabinets. Do you have unused space in your kitchen? If you can’t add counters, can you add wall cabinets?
Use these tips to decide how you’re going to set up your new cabinets.
- Choose Between Doors and Drawers
You also have to decide how many of each style you need.
Drawers are better for silverware, plates, and other eating utensils. They provide easy access to these things and make it easy for you to organize them. You don’t have to bend down or reach up when setting up the table or putting everything away from the dishwasher.
As for your pots and pans, a deep drawer can do fine, but some people can organize these cooking essentials in a cabinet.
Stuff like canned goods, cereal boxes, and other food items are better stored in a cabinet, but make sure it has multiple shelves. Install shelves inside cabinets with varying heights, so you can put all kinds of food in one place.
List down the things you need to store in your new cabinets, and then group them according to where you think they go to – cabinets or drawers? This should give you an idea of how many you need of each.
- Be Familiar with the Door Styles
First, determine your budget. The cost of new kitchen cabinets depends on the materials and style. Having a budget will narrow down things for you, making choosing a little easier.
Some cabinet door profiles include raised arch, recessed panel, mullion frame, open frame, and slab.
For modern and minimalist styles, the slab option is one of the most popular choices. The open frame style, wherein there’s no center panel, is also a good choice because it allows you to use a glass insert.
Whichever you choose, though, use only one style for all your cabinets and drawers to make your kitchen coherent. You can add variety by using a different material for your inserts, for example.
You also have to think about the material and color. You can use this chance to revamp your kitchen, but you have to think of the existing style of the room. If you’re not going to replace your countertops, consider that when choosing the color.
Then, as a finishing touch, choose the right knobs, pulls, and handles. This will depend on your taste and the theme of the kitchen.
- Maximize Your Kitchen Space
No matter how limited your kitchen space might be, the right cabinetry solution will enable you to maximize it. You may also have to make some decisions.
For instance, you may have to take down that nice painting to make space for a cabinet. You may also have to remove the barstools by your kitchen island to turn your island into cabinets.
Then, think of the corners of your kitchen. Most of the time, this space goes unused because it’s hard to reach. Look for a manufacturer that can offer a solution to maximize this.
One solution is to use a pie-corner base that rotates like a lazy susan. This way, you don’t have to reach far to get to the items on the corner.
Be Wise When Buying New Kitchen Cabinets
When you follow our tips above, we’re positive you’ll make the right choice for your new kitchen cabinets. What matters most is that you’ll be happy to work in your revamped space.
Why stop here? If you need more tips like this, don’t hesitate to check out more of our content and read our other articles.
