The final major decision in planning your complete kitchen remodel is the cabinetry. It is important to choose something your family loves and will not appear dated in a few years.
This is the main focal point of the room, and what will first catch the eye of anyone who enters. Not only do you want functionality in your cabinets, you also want them to be stylish and visually appealing. The varieties are vast and you will have to consider not just color, but material, door style, and accessories. The cabinets are a large part of your kitchen model budget, and not something you will likely be changing on a whim. For those reasons it is important to decide on something that your entire family loves and will not appear dated in a few years.
Step One – Consider Your Storage Needs
Consider first what you like and do not like about the cabinets you currently have. While many features, like a lazy Susan, seem like a good idea, they are not necessarily right for every kitchen. Think carefully about the items you will be storing and which ones are most important for you to have easy accessibility. Focus on storing those items into your work triangle. Pots and pans should be close to the stove, glasses close to the refrigerator and plates near the sink.
Step Two – Choosing the Materials
Depending on your needs, you can have the cabinetry custom built for your kitchen or you may be able to save some money by using stock cabinets. Your kitchen remodel expert will be able to help you decide if stock cabinets will work with your plan. With the materials, most homeowners go with classic wood. It is durable and can be manipulated with paint or stain to achieve any desired look. Cherry wood is perfect for a dark, rich finish while alternatives, like mahogany, can be used for a more country look. If you use a light finish you can allow the natural wood grain to show through giving the cabinetry some rich texture. More modern styles may be made with stainless steel or plastic laminate.
Step Three – Choosing the Style
Traditional kitchens usually have framed cabinets. The door can either be attached to only cover its opening, or it can cover the entire cabinet. There is no front frame on European style cabinets, and the door is attached to the cabinet’s side. These give your kitchen a sleek look and allow easier access to the interior of the cabinet.
Step Four – How to Utilize Base Cabinets
Popular now are base cabinets that utilize drawers. These help in keeping items better organized for easier access. Ask your kitchen remodel expert about hardware accessories that you can choose that will easily allow you to organize everything from spices to large pots and pans inside a convenient cabinet drawer. Don’t allow your kitchen to lose valuable storage space with a blind corner. Install a pie-corner base cabinet that pulls out or a lazy Susan that brings items to you by spinning around.
At this point in preparing for your complete kitchen remodel the only thing left is the kitchen sink. While all the choices and options may seem daunting at times, they will be well worth it at the end. In a room where you and your family spend important time together, you want to create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting as well as functional. Call AAA Remodeling Company at (636) 349-5777 for a free consultation.
Photo credit: thekitchendesigner.org