Buying the Perfect Kitchen Cabinets For Your Style and Lifestyle

Selecting the right kitchen cabinets can be an eye-opening experience (and expensive). Kitchen cabinets come in a wide variety of styles, materials, finishes, and levels of quality. From wood or metal to veneers like melamine, cabinet set designs are varied. Whatever style or theme you’re conveying in your kitchen, there are kitchen cabinets to complement it.

Many traditional styles of kitchen cabinets are made from hardwood. They may have mullion glass doors to complement fine china sets, along with cathedral-type arch work. Traditional cabinets will also have the largest selection of accessories and modifications. Many of the designs come from the 18th and 19th centuries and can transform your kitchen into a timeless masterpiece. Whether renovating to match the rest of your historic home, or bringing some historic charm to your house, traditional cabinets are a great way to go.

Provencal kitchens are designed to evoke French country kitchens. They often lack high-wall cabinets, relying instead on low cabinets for pots, pans and serving ware. Shelves lining the walls keep essentials at hand. The entire kitchen is focused around the dining table. Colors range from light and dark browns to deep greens. If you want to travel to the Provence region whenever you cook and entertain, look at some Provencal cabinet sets and match your table accordingly.

If you’re looking for something more down-home, try a country-style kitchen cabinet set. Country-style cabinets have very clean lines and a simple look. Ordinary paint may be chipped away to give the wood a rustic feel and the handles may be mismatched to give the kitchen a “thrown-together” look. Even in the same room, finishes may be different to enhance this look. If you’re ready to make your kitchen look just like an old farm house, invest in some country-style cabinets.

Cottage-style (also called rustic-style) kitchens mix the shelving units of the Provencal style with the distressed look of country cabinet sets. They bring the same sense of comfort as these two styles. Cottage cabinet sets come in a variety of woods, from oak to maple. A very common type of wood used for cottage cabinets is Pine or Notty Pine. Pine is known for its bold grain lines and durable strength. A cottage kitchen is meant to be cozy and comforting. Sometimes cottage cabinets don’t have doors; which allows serving wares to be easily accessed. If this sounds like the kitchen of your dreams, choose cottage cabinets.

Modern kitchen cabinet styles rely on sleek surfaces and clean lines. They may be constructed of wood or metal, or covered in a shiny, stain-resistant laminate. The emphasis in modern cabinet styles is cleanliness. The distinct feature of modern cabinets is the seamless look and sharp lines. You can find stainless steel cabinets that give the appearance of an industrial kitchen or you can install maple cabinets to give the kitchen some warmth and atmosphere. There are many options to choose from in modern cabinet styles. Most modern kitchens will be partnered with industrial grade appliances for the professional cook. When you want an easy-to-use, easy-to-clean kitchen style, look no further than the modern cabinet section.

Regardless of the style or look that you are going for in your kitchen, there are hundreds of different styles out there (so make sure you do some research before settling for the wrong one). There are even more varieties of kitchen cabinets than are listed here, so you’ve got many options to consider. A well-designed kitchen is the centerpiece of a home, so make sure you take your time when choosing your kitchen cabinet set.

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Custom Or Prefab? – That is the Kitchen Cabinet Question

So you’ve decided that new kitchen cabinets are in order. Now the question remains: Do you go the slow and more expensive route with custom cabinets or opt for the quicker and less costly alternative with prefabricated cabinets? Both choices present various pros and cons, so you’ll want to do your homework before making a final decision. If quality and craftsmanship are your top priority, a kitchen design expert may be steering you toward custom kitchen cabinets. But those on a limited budget will be happy to learn that prefabricated cabinets from a reputable cabinetry manufacturer can almost match their more expensive counterparts on both counts.

If you’re still wavering, it’s no wonder. So here are some important considerations that can help make the custom versus prefabricated kitchen cabinets decision an easier one.

1. In terms of cost, a comparison is necessary. That’s because just like custom cabinetry, prefabricated cabinets run the gamut from modular to high end. And on that high end, in a perfect example of ‘you get what you pay for,’ you may run into prefabricated kitchen cabinets that are as expensive as some custom cabinets. Quality and cost should be a tag team when conducting kitchen cabinet price comparisons.

2. If you’re in a rush, no doubt about it, prefabricated kitchen cabinets will save you time. In fact, if you want custom kitchen cabinets, expect to wait one to two months for delivery.

3. If you want a style that’s custom designed or your kitchen cabinet setup requires odd or unique sizes, then custom cabinetry may be necessary. However, you might be surprised by the wide array of prefabricated kitchen cabinet styles out there. A broad and varied selection of kitchen cabinets can be found at you nearest home design center.

4. When it comes to kitchen cabinet finishes, your options are nearly as wide as those for custom kitchen cabinets. Whether it’s a clean white, a natural wood, a glossy rich brown or a homey burgundy finish you’re seeking, a leading prefabricated cabinetry manufacturer can likely fill the bill.
5. Because they can vary so widely between and even among custom and prefabricated kitchen cabinets, the material, joinery, hinges and pulls of the doors should be carefully examined and compared for quality and craftsmanship.

6. With custom cabinetry, especially if your kitchen has odd sizes and unique angles, you’re probably going to have to pay for professional installation. If you’re somewhat handy in the carpentry department, however, you may be able to bypass this added expense with prefabricated kitchen cabinets and install them yourself.

7. Last but certainly not least, the reputation of the cabinetmaker is critical. For custom cabinetry, consult your local chamber of commerce and ask for referrals. Your best bet is word of mouth. If you’ve decided to go with prefabricated kitchen cabinets, look for a leading manufacturer that prides itself on quality, value and service. A few ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinet manufacturers recognize that high quality can-and should-go with affordable pricing. To that end, look for a kitchen cabinet line that offers lifetime warranties, is retailed at popular prices and can be assembled quickly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carmen_Fontana

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Kitchen Design Basics – Affordable Countertop Options

By Paul Eden

Most people are familiar with the common kitchen countertop options. The range of choices and costs are vast. Some are set on having granite and are will to sacrifice on the quality of the underlying cabinets in order to afford the countertops of their choice. Others view the countertop as something they can upgrade later and splurge on upscale cabinetry while at the same time accepting a lesser countertop surface. The usual choices of affordable countertops are listed below, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

Laminate Countertops

This is usually considered to be the entry-level choice. If it has been a while since you have checked out laminate, you may be pleasantly surprised. With more realistic textures and optional edge treatments, laminate can be a very attractive alternative. Of course the absolute cheapest option is to choose an available stocked countertop item at the local home improvement center. While colors and edge treatments are limited, the price is right.

Ceramic Tile Countertops

If you have the expertise to install tile yourself, the cost can compete with laminate, depending on your tile selection. The number one complaint with tile on countertops is the difficulty in keeping the grout joints looking clean. That being said, ceramic tile is a good way to go if you want an upgraded look on a budget.

Laminate and ceramic tile are two of the more affordable countertop options. Before making a final selection be sure you look at the new generation of laminate products-you may be surprised what you find.

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