What to Consider When Buying Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

What to Consider When Buying Kitchen Cabinets

What to Consider When Buying Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

Buying a new cabinet for your kitchen is one of the most important decisions you will make as a homeowner. Kitchen cabinets are available in many different finishes and colours. The quality varies, and you don’t want to risk getting a cheap one just to save a bit of money. In 2020, consider investing in a high-quality cabinet made of marble, wood, granite, or quartz.

Here are some things you’ll want to look for in 2020:

The design

Some cabinets are ideal for traditional kitchens, and some for modern kitchens. The wrong cabinet design will look out of place in your kitchen. Traditional kitchens are warm and inviting with rich woods and natural stone. When it comes to modern kitchens, think minimalist and streamlined. Go with an industrial look for your cabinets. Colours range considerably depending on the material and finish. With so many options, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a cabinet design that looks great in your kitchen.

Since cabinets are primarily boxes with doors, the style of the boxes boils down to whether they have frames or are frameless. Frames are strips of wood on the box’s face that provide support for the box as well as the door.

• The frames in framed cabinets are usually made of strips of wood on the face of the cabinet. These are typically 1½ inches in width and this is where the hinges of the doors are attached. Although the frame impedes access to the inside a bit, framed cabinets are sturdy. Framed cabinets are ideal when going for a traditional, country, or rustic kitchen.

• On the other hand, frameless cabinets have doors that attach to the side wall of the box using concealed hinges. You get more access to the contents of your cabinet and more storage space, but you will sacrifice on sturdiness and you cannot use full overlay or inset doors with this option. This style is ideal for those going for a modern or contemporary kitchen style because it gives you clean, seamless lines.

The size

Do you want a single cabinet or double cabinet? The size of the cabinet should be relative to the size of the kitchen. You should also decide whether you need shelves or drawers.

You should use every space effectively for preservation of its intended use. Do not put too many kitchen cabinets as this will look unappealing and over the top. Consider the symmetry of the entire kitchen space. For large kitchens, consider installing a center island instead of discount kitchen cabinets.

Your budget

As mentioned above, you don’t want to end up with a cheaply built cabinet. It won’t last for long at all, and it’ll cost even more money to have it taken out and replaced. Think about how the removal and installation of cabinets affect the rest of the kitchen.

On the other hand, you might not have enough money for high-end cabinets, either. The best thing to do is to work with a company that will offer you a custom solution that works for your budget.

Custom cabinets are a great idea because they are designed to match your exact space and to meet your particular needs and preferences, but they are costlier than semi-custom cabinets. The type of wood chosen also affects costs. The most popular woods for cabinets are birch, cherry, hickory, pecan, maple, and oak.

Existing Cabinets

If you are expanding and you have existing cabinets that are in good condition, you can still have a new design. However, save money and time by only replacing the surface and doors of the old cabinet. You may also replace the doors with glass doors or remove the doors and install floating shelves for open style storage.

Finishing

The most popular type of cabinet finishing are painting and staining. You should only use staining when you have a high quality wood that is easy to stain. Painting is a good option to hide the wood underneath, making it a good option for cheaper woods. Other decorative finishes include crackle, glazing, and distressing. When finishing, always remember that despite popular belief, lighter cabinet finishes actually conceal dirt better than darker finishes.

Hardware

So you have invested in great cabinet materials and finishes, but how good is your hardware? The wrong pull or knob can greatly impact how your cabinet looks. Pulls and knobs come in different materials and finishes, the most popular being stainless steel, ceramic, brass, and glass. The choice of material should be based on the style you are trying to achieve – is it traditional or contemporary?

Door mounting

Door mounting options include regular lay over where the face of the frame can be seen around the door, full over lay where the doors are pulled closely together to hide the base of the cabinet, and inset where the doors fit flush inside the frame. The choice should be based on space considerations and the rest of the design.

The sink

When replacing cabinets under the sink, make sure they are the correct fit. They need to match the colour and design as the countertop as well. If you have an under-mounted sink, it’s in your best interest to choose cabinets that are made out of water-resistant materials such as quartz. Many experts recommend choosing the countertop first and then building around it.

Consultation services

If you don’t have a lot of knowledge or experience with kitchen renovations, it might save you money and time in the long run if you consult with professionals. Let an interior designer come in and look around your kitchen to evaluate your needs. Where should the cabinets be installed? What size should they be? What colour and material? How should they be installed? What about the countertop and sink? What kind of doors should the cabinets have? All of these questions need to be answered before you even begin shopping for kitchen cabinets.

Installation

Will you be able to install the kitchen cabinets yourself? Most homeowners get kitchen renovation professionals to take care of the installation. You may be able to turn updates and repairs into a DIY project, but completely replacing or installing new cabinets can be complicated. One mistake can set you back a great deal. Depending on the size of the kitchen and the design of the cabinets, wall removal may be required.

Additional Articles about Kitchen Cabinets: