Picking The Right Kitchen Cabinets

The process of choosing kitchen cabinets is one that takes a little research and planning. For some help in those areas there are many remodeling books and home magazines available. These can be purchased or found in the library. The pictures offer a great look at what the cabinets look like in a finished setting. If there is something in one of the books or magazines that catches the eye, there is usually information on where it can be picked up.

An estimated budget has to be determined for the overall remodeling project. Cabinets will cost an unbelievable half of that budget. This will include the labor to install them. The cabinets can then be chosen as in stock, custom or semi custom. Knowing this ahead of time will reduce the chance of going way over budget.

The in stock cabinets come in fixed sizes and a limited number of styles and finishes. Due to the lack of ability to customize, these are the cheapest cabinets available. This does not mean that these are cheaply made. On the contrary, there are many high quality in stock cabinets. The semi custom, offer more flexibility to fit a kitchen and its owners preferences. Custom cabinets offer unlimited choices and are made by a cabinet maker from start to finish.

The kind of material will need to be chosen. This may be based on the type of kitchen and the lifestyle of the owner. If there are children in the home it may be a good idea to go with something that is easy to clean. The laminate and stainless steel cabinets fit the bill. The laminate cabinets also come in any number of colors. Wood cabinets come in various finishes and are able to be painted as well.

There are so many kinds of wood that are used for cabinetry. Those that are typically used are pine, maple, cherry, birch, mahogany and oak. Oak is the most popular for its color. For those looking for a green option there are cabinets available in bamboo, an easily sustainable wood. The darker woods of walnut and ebony are beautiful and expensive. These are usually purely custom cabinet material.

Cabinet accessories can be used to give a kitchen a customized feel. The door pulls do not have to be the traditional smooth metal type. They also come in granite, bronze, ceramic and glass. Some are hand-made or hand-painted. They are in many shapes, finishes and sizes. Inside the cabinets, a Lazy Susan, fully extendable drawers, drawer inserts and organizers all make them more convenient to use.

With all the above in mind, making a choice for kitchen cabinets will be focused if not simplified. Remember to do the necessary research and to stay within the budget. It may be good to keep an eye out for any close out sales or auctions. A better quality cabinet could be available for a lower price.