A Comprehensive Kitchen Cabinet Buying Guide

Renovating your kitchen is one of the most effective ways to add value to your home. When renovating your kitchen, remember to install new kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets combine the best of both worlds – aesthetics, and functionality.Not only will new kitchen cabinets enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen, but it will also help increase storage space. New cabinets can transform an outdated kitchen into a functional and visually striking modern space. Not all kitchen cabinets are created equal. To get the most value out of your time and effort, you need to plan your cabinet buying process. Here are some tips to help you get started by Humanity Home & Cabinetry, a local interior designer.

Plan Your Visit to the Showroom

Investing in kitchen cabinets is a major decision. You need to plan ahead for success. Prior to going cabinet shopping, research your options. This will help you gain clarity about what you want and help refine both the scope of your project and the design of your ideal kitchen. Seek answers to important questions such as:

• What are your style preferences?
• What are the fundamental differences between stock cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, and custom cabinets? Which one best suits your needs?
• Do you want the hardware on your cabinets to match?
• What design do you want on front doors?
• What should the wood quality be?
• What hardware color and style do you want?
• How tall should the upper cabinets be?
• Do you want lighting under the cabinets? If yes, what type?
• What type of crown molding or trim do you plan to use on the top of your cabinets?
• What do you prefer – more cabinets with doors or more drawers?

Before visiting the showroom, call ahead and make an appointment with an interior designer to discuss your dream kitchen. Our designers can help answer the above questions and any others you may have. Take accurate measurements of your kitchen. Carefully analyze the cabinets you are currently using as this will help you make a list of desired features.

Look for Certified Products

Look for cabinets certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (or KCMA). KCMA-certified products are subjected to various tests. They are exposed to humidity and varying temperatures to ensure strength and stability.Cabinets are only certified by the KCMA when they do not show signs of discoloration, blistering or other damage when they are exposed to essential staples (found in almost every kitchen), such as vinegar, fruit juices, coffee, and ketchup.

Choose the Color and Style of Your Cabinets

There are various colors and styles to choose from. If you want to make your kitchen look brighter and more spacious, opt for light paint or stain. Darker paint or stain can be used for creating a more dramatic look. If you want a simple and clean look, opt for shaker cabinets.

Set Your Budget

Stock cabinets only come in set sizes, so they are going to be a more price conscious option. Premium, custom-made cabinetry are going to require a higher budget depending on the customizations you want. Customizations such as altering the depth of cabinets or installing wine racks, pull-out trash cans, and leaded glass doors will also increase the cost of cabinets. When setting your budget, the most important question to ask is how long do you plan to live in your home? If you are thinking of selling your house, adopt an approach to renovation that maximizes the impact of your budget.Looking for an interior designer near you that deserves your trust? Look no further than Humanity Home & Cabinetry. We take the time to ensure our client’s dreams are transformed into reality. To consult one of our interior designers, please call us at (707) 595-5046.