How to Chose Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets determine the style and look of a kitchen. Cabinets for kitchens are manufactured in a wide array of colors, finishes, styles and prices. You can install cabinets yourself or hire a professional contractor for the project. Kitchen cabinets can be purchased ready-made, from a kitchen supply store or from home improvement stores or they may be custom-made. While determining which cabinets to choose may seem overwhelming, there are several methods to narrow down your choices. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Calculate your budget for the cabinets. If you are renovating or installing an entire kitchen, expect the budget for the cabinets to be approximately half of your entire budget. Write down the most you can spend and write down what you would ideally like to spend on the cabinets.
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Measure the total area of your kitchen as well as the area where you would like your new cabinets. The area of your kitchen will be necessary to determine how many cabinets are needed.
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Determine which type of cabinetry best fits your budget. For a low budget, off-the-shelf, stock cabinetry will be the cheapest option. For high-end budgets, custom cabinetry is a feasible option. Custom cabinets can be specially designed and made to fit within your space. Semi-custom cabinets are a mid-range option that can include ready- made cabinets in addition to custom touches, for a mid-range budget.
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Choose cabinets that meet your lifestyle needs. Deep cabinets provide extra storage for families, while a shallow streamlined cabinet may be perfect if you don't cook at home frequently.
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Look around your home to determine what style, color and finish would work best in your home. Choose a finish and color that complements your home and your current or future color scheme.
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Select the type of material for your cabinets. Hardwood cabinets, such as those made from oak or cherry, will have a higher price tag than cabinets made from particle board with a laminate finish. Hardwood will hold up better in the long run, whereas a laminate may be a good choice for a short-term renovation, perhaps if you're fixing up to sell your house.
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Interview contractors or cabinet installers if you are not installing the cabinets yourself. If you choose to install the cabinets yourself, ensure that you have the correct skills and tools to complete the job.
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Tips & Warnings
Visiting a home improvement store or a kitchen cabinet store will provide inspiration and a general idea of what is available on the market.
References
- Photo Credit construction,cabinets image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
