The New Year brings new changes–and perhaps you are reading this because you decided it was time for you to ditch the outdated look in your kitchen and go for something updated, new, and fresh. If this is going to be the year you are finally going to remodel your kitchen, ask yourself a few questions: to what extent am I willing to renovate? Am I going to stick to the basics or go all the way? Whatever your budget, it is possible to achieve a kitchen makeover without denting your pocket.

One of the stars of a kitchen remodel is the kitchen cabinetry. Read our comprehensive guide to choosing the best kitchen cabinets for a successful kitchen renovation.

Kitchen Cabinets Remodel

Factors You Need to Consider Before Buying New Kitchen Cabinets

Before we delve further, it is important to understand why you should invest in your kitchen cabinets in the first place. They set the tone of not just the kitchen, but really your entire home. We encourage you to know what to buy before you make a purchase and do not shy away from investing in this main kitchen essential. To do that, you need to consider a few factors, which include setting a budget, knowing what style and material to buy and so on.

Read more to find out how to determine those factors in accordance with your kitchen.

Consider the Right Budget

It’s important to understand how much storage you need in your kitchen. Most kitchen and bath shops, including those that are providing remodeling services, would go for free in-home measurements, design your kitchen and send free estimates. When it comes to choosing options, like most things, cabinetry comes in three variants: Basic, mid-level and high-end. Besides the material, the price also depends on the level of customization a consumer wants. Off-the-rack options (called stock) are generally the friendliest towards your wallet but don’t allow for a lot of curated color options. Semi-customized options give you more options, and custom options allow you to do whatever you would like design wise. Depending on features you want to add to your cabinets, you can choose out of the 3.

• Basic or Budget Cabinets: Choose these if you are on a tight budget. Most of these are pre-assembled and save you installation costs as well. They are durable, so wear-and-tear is not a concern with them despite their lower price point. They might not allow for a lot of options in terms of style but work well if you can find one that fits your specific requirements. Expect to start around $70 and more for each foot if you opt for this category.
• Mid-Level or Semi-Customized Cabinets: Because they strike the right balance between convenience, customization and budget–they are the most popular choice for kitchen cabinets. They allow for customization based on individual requirements like size, materials, moldings, trims and even finishes. One can choose hardware and accessories to go along with the frame as well. They start at about $150 per foot and go up from there.
• High-End or Fully Customized Cabinets: The only difference between these and mid-level options is the actual make itself. They use the most premium materials and hardware, and might even include space increments. The price starts from $500 per foot and increases depending on materials and details.

Choosing The Best Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

White, gray and light kitchens are still strong trends in the market. Black has made an emergence through various options, and when added in correctly, can create a stunning kitchen. Here are a few combinations you can try if you don’t want an all-white kitchen:

1. Combine Blue and White: Go for either white or blue cabinetry and jazz up the space with cobalt. Even a few elements of the cobalt patterns can enliven the space without affecting the perennial quality of a white kitchen.
2. Navy Blue: We would recommend this style in conjunction with white as well. If you have a white countertop, this can be the star of the kitchen. With the calming quality of blue (in a more grounding way), navy cabinets can bring another level of class to your kitchen.
3. Dove: Another way to go if you want a white-ish kitchen without the basic effect of the ensemble is to add a few shades of dove in the mix. Go for dove cabinets with a white countertop for a look that feels light and airy.
4. Gray: Gray is still a very popular shade to incorporate anywhere in the home, including the kitchen. Shades of gray can help bridge the contrast between the polar opposites and give birth to a very cohesive look.
5. Green: Green may sound like an odd choice for an evergreen kitchen cabinetry, but pair it with the crispness of luxe marbles like Carrara or Calcatta and you have got yourself a kitchen that shines.

Beside color, be mindful to also get styles and materials that are suited to other elements in your kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinetry

Which Kitchen Cabinet Style You Should Choose

Less is the new more in the urban world wherein minimalistic designs are taking over. The past few years have seen the emphasis on clean lines, symmetry and slick detailing like cleanly-cut square corners. Because simplicity is taking over, the uncomplicated beauty of the likes of shaker-style cabinetry are hits right now. With recessed panel doors and touches of the only most straightforward hardware, they reflect the best of this century.

Now that you know what’s trending in terms of color and style, it’s time to make more personal decisions with regards to your kitchen…

Which Factors You Should Consider Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets

Besides budget and the aesthetic side of cabinetry, you should also consider factors that affect its utility. These are not just flashy units for display but something you would be using heavily on a regular basis. Here are factors you should carefully consider before making the purchase:

• The Right Frame: There are two types of choices available. One can either get a box-style frame or go frame-less. European-style Frame-less cabinetry is famous for cutting to the chase by allowing one to attach hardware like handles, drawers and even doors directly to the cabinet box. This look is more streamlined and allows for easy detailing inside the cabinet. It also has better storage than American style cabinets. However, the classic framed cabinets win the rigidity game by a margin. The extra face frame is where doors and handles are attached, allowing for a thicker cabinet. You need to consider which style fits your needs best. It is possible to make a hybrid, though. Opt for a full-overlay door that covers the face frame and keep the European feel alive.
• The Right Material: Eliminate particle boards from your list altogether– whether it is the plain version or the ones with coating. They are generally too fragile to hold a candle to any other material in the market. Instead, opt for plywood to avoid off-gas production. For the base wood, Cherry wood can be considered. It has that richness that goes well in all kitchens and you could install it in yours without a second thought too. If you want to experiment, you can also go for alternatives like Mahogany or bamboo. Don’t be shy to get creative with wood-on-wood options, although glass-fronts can help avoid repetition.
• The Right Finish: Glazed wood is great for all kitchens, but if you want a more organic look, you may want to consider some new textures. The texture of wood grains can be a fantastic duo with brushed finish in a kitchen full of earthy colors.

Choosing the Right Features for Your Cabinetry

Features are what separate show pieces from additions that actually count. You do not want to do without features that allow for a smooth work-flow in the kitchen area. Here’s what to consider while choosing the right features for your kitchen cabinetry:

Doors

• This one is closely related to choosing the right material. This occupies the most surface area for the cabinetry and hence should be the number one priority on your list. Don’t go for a make that makes your entire frame look like a cheap knock off. Instead, go for sturdy wood and plywood combinations that do not get spoilt with steam.

Drawers

• Drawers spell convenience and you absolutely cannot do without them. Do not be stingy with your spending just because they are built-in. Instead, opt for wood sides and a bottom made of plywood to fit grooves on all sides. Do not invest in fragile particle-boards for the sake of shelf-life (quite literally!)
  

  Kitchen Cabinets

Tips for Choosing the Right Hardware for Your Kitchen Cabinets

Handles and knobs are much more than ornamental pieces on your cabinetry. The right selection of hardware can make-or-break the cabinetry in terms of style and look for the entire home. They can be used to enhance the utility and convenience with proper installation. Here are our tips to enhance the ease of use for your kitchen cabinets using the right hardware:

• Go for those spice organizers and pull out pantries. The most high-end cabinets have that but it’s possible to get your supplier to customize it for your mid-level cabinetry too. You would be surprised to see how easy life can be with these smart storage options.
• Utilize the dead space in the far end of your cabinets by putting pie-corner or Lazy Susan Spin units. They would allow easy access to the area and make storage more efficient.
• Focus on additional features like a pullout trash can or a built-in charging unit. After all, it’s all about convenience at the end of the day. The pull-out unit can even help enhance the aesthetic value of the place.
• Tired of noisy kitchen cabinet door slams? Invest in “soft close” handles that work like door-closing units to soften the noise.