After years of planning, dreaming, and shopping, you’ve finally decided to splurge on a set of beautiful new kitchen cabinets. There are several styles of cabinets available, so finding the right choice for your needs, budget, and aesthetic preference may be tricky. If you want to avoid costly mistakes or being stuck with a style you hate, use these first-time cabinet buying tips to ensure you get the right product for you.
Choose the Style You Want First
Whether you are completely renovating your kitchen or only replacing your cabinets, choosing the style first will allow you to create a cohesive, complete look. Consider the overall look of your kitchen before making a final decision. Here are a few popular options available:
- Slab. If you want a clean, modern look, slab cabinets are a great option. They feature a single piece of unembellished, flat wood and are made for frameless cabinets.
- Traditional. A more cost-effective choice, traditional cabinets typically feature a cathedral top, raised panels, and are available in a variety of colors and finished.
- Rustic. The charm of rustic cabinets is that they aren’t perfect and often features knots and other unique patterns of natural wood. You can leave the cabinets unfinished or change the finish for a pop of color.
- Glass-front. As the name suggests, a glass-front cabinet features a frame and glass inserts. The glass can be glazed or etched.
If your budget is tight, consider thermofoil cabinets. These cabinet’s front faces are constructed from MDF, or medium density fiberboard, that is layered pressed. These cabinets are available in a variety of styles and can be painted or stained to match any kitchen’s color scheme.
Consider Different Types of Wood
From oak and cherry to hickory, pecan, and walnut, kitchen cabinets are available in a wide variety of woods. All those choices can make it difficult to determine which product is right for your remodel and budget. The type of wood you choose is dependent on how much you can spend and your cabinet style.
For example, if you are choosing traditional cabinets, just about every type of wood will work with your remodel, including maple, walnut, and cherry. Maple and walnut are great options if you want a more contemporary look. If you love rustic or farmhouse styles, look for any style of wood that is imperfect and features the wood’s natural knots and swirls.
If budget is a consideration, oak cabinets are a great option. Modern oak cabinets are available in more contemporary styles and several colors and finishes.
Purchase the Right Hardware
Finally, once you’ve chosen your ideal cabinets, don’t forget the most important finishing touch: the hardware. Choosing the right door knobs, pulls, and hinges will pull the room together while making your beautiful new cabinetry stand out. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right hardware for your new cabinets:
- Finish. Match or complement the finishes in your kitchen when choosing cabinet hardware. For example, if you have stainless appliances and a chrome sink, consider silver hardware.
- Style. Knobs and pulls are simple, ornate, or somewhere in-between. Choose simple, sleek hardware for a modern kitchen and you can consider a more ornate doorknobs for your traditional cabinets.
- Size. Consider matching the size of your knobs and pulls to the size of your cabinets. Smaller knobs for smaller doors and larger pulls for taller or larger doors.
Consider the feel of the knobs as well. Do the knobs and pulls feel comfortable when you open the doors, or do they have sharp edges that hurt your hands?
From the style, wood, and hardware, there are several considerations to keep in mind when purchasing new kitchen cabinets. If you have any additional questions or want to begin the process, contact Cabinet Factories Outlet.
