There are two primary motivations behind the decision to redesign a kitchen: functionality and aesthetics. Both are inseparable parts of the process. Over the years, kitchens have evolved from mere places to prepare food to become the heart of the home, making the desire to create a pleasant and inviting space a fundamental goal for many homeowners.
While the kitchen remodel includes many aspects, in this article, we want to focus on the skill of selecting perfect cabinets. What might seem like a simple step often becomes a challenge when homeowners are faced with countless options and recommendations from every store and company.
Quick Summary
This article emphasizes essential considerations for choosing perfect kitchen cabinets, focusing on balancing functionality and aesthetics. Key points include evaluating kitchen space to optimize layout, selecting a style that complements the home’s overall design, and choosing materials that balance durability with aesthetic preferences. It highlights the importance of functional storage solutions like slide-out shelves and innovative cabinet designs to enhance kitchen usability.
Additionally, it covers the significance of selecting appropriate colors, finishes, and hardware to ensure a cohesive and stylish look. The article also discusses practical aspects such as installation considerations, budgeting, and eco-friendly options, essential for making informed decisions during a kitchen remodel.
Evaluate Your Kitchen Space and Layout
The first step of any kitchen remodel project is assessing the area and determining what will complement the space and make it more efficient to use. Kitchen layouts can vary greatly (L-shape, U-shape, closed or open space kitchen, with or without an island), and before starting any renovation project, it is important to understand what will work best in your kitchen.
Every successful kitchen remodel begins with a proper evaluation of what the space lacks and how thoughtful planning can address those needs. Start by taking inventory of your kitchen and considering how the existing cabinets either support or hinder its functionality. Don’t forget to account for all your appliances—not just the stove and fridge, but also items like the microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, etc. These often get overlooked during the planning phase, leaving you to stash them in hard-to-reach cabinets later.
By considering these aspects early on, you can better incorporate them into your remodel, such as by adding a hidden appliance cabinet or creating more open countertop space. This approach also applies to other items you need to store in a convenient and accessible way, ultimately simplifying your cooking experience and enhancing the kitchen’s overall appearance.
Define Your Style Preferences
After deciding on a cabinet layout that meets the practical needs of your kitchen, it’s time to consider the style you want. Kitchen cabinets can make or break the look you’re aiming for. Let’s explore a few popular styles in modern kitchen renovations and the types of cabinets that best suit them:
- Transitional: This style combines timeless classics from traditional styles with contemporary innovations. Shaker-style cabinetry is a popular choice, featuring a five-piece construction with a center panel, upper and lower rails, and side stiles. These cabinets are often painted to match the kitchen’s color theme.
- Farmhouse: A style that showcases rural elements, exposed beams, and natural wood. Cabinets in this style often use natural wood in shaker-style structures, painted in light colors (predominantly white) or warm neutrals. Open shelving is also common.
- Contemporary: Emphasizes a clean, minimalist look. Flat-panel (slab) cabinets are ideal, often without handles, using push-to-open latches for a streamlined appearance.
- Cottage: Known for warmth and nostalgia, it welcomes antique or restored pieces, worn-down look, and muted colors. Cabinets may include unique details like decorative wire mesh doors, vintage hardware, and china display cabinets.
- Traditional: Focuses on intricate details, blending long-lasting classic charm with modern touches. Raised panel cabinets with carved grooves are popular, often enhanced with glazing, to create an antique effect by adding a translucent layer over the base paint.
Material Selection
Cabinets not only come in different shapes and sizes but can also be made from different materials. The choice of material can depend on factors such as what look you desire (uniform color or unique grain showing through) or durability. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of the different cabinet materials:
- Hardwood works best when you desire unique carving details on cabinets and stained colors that show the grain and details of the natural wood. However, it is harder to paint and requires priming and more attention to ensure the grain does not create an uneven finish. It is a long-lasting material that can perform well over decades. It is prone to shifting and expansion, which over time can create gaps in the connecting seams, which can be more visible on lighter color cabinets.
- MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) is a material made of wood fibers and resin. It will not have a unique grain as it is a smooth material, but it is much easier to paint. It can be used as a more affordable alternative to wood that still performs well and allows for multiple design variations. It’s less prone to shifting, reducing the risk of cracks.
- Plywood is composed of thin wood veneer layers and is typically more expensive than MDF but offers higher resistance to moisture and better durability. It provides a natural wood-like grain, making it a good alternative for a stained wood appearance.
- Wood veneer cabinets are made out of a thin slice of hardwood glued to a less expensive material like particleboard or MDF to create a panel that appears to look like real wood and has a unique grain. They are less expensive and allow you to enjoy some of the benefits of solid wood.
- Thermofoil is a vinyl wrap that is melted over the MDF board. It is usually affordable, but it is quite unreliable and very sensitive to moisture. But if used properly, it can last a good time and still provide a nice appearance with a wide selection of colors.
- Laminate is a layer coating made of fibers and plastic resin, usually applied to MDF board. It is thicker than thermofoil and thus stronger and more durable. Laminate can be used to create great wood prints and make cabinets look like real wood. It is currently one of the most popular budget-friendly options.
Focus on Cabinet Functionality and Storage
Cabinets’ primary function is to allow you to functionally store kitchen items to avoid clutter and hard-to-reach places. We all are accustomed to the basic rectangular cabinets with shelves that are sometimes so deep and hard to reach that you have to get on your knees to get what is in the back of the cabinet. However, in recent decades, when efficient organization and storage have been prioritized, many new designs have appeared to aid with outdated, dysfunctional kitchen cabinets. Now, kitchen space is filled not just with extra cabinet width but with unique solutions that will make life easier.
Some of the favorite unique cabinet styles include:
- Slide-out cabinet shelves
- Pull-out trash cabinet
- Lazy Susan organization cabinet
- Toe kick drawers
- Magic corner cabinet
- Drawers instead of hard-to-reach cabinets below the counter
- Retractable pocket doors for countertop appliance storage
- Pull-out spice rack cabinet for narrow gaps between the cabinet and the stove
These are just a few ideas among a wide variety of personalized solutions you can use in your new kitchen cabinet design. When choosing cabinets, remember that storage needs and usability are far more important than appearance.
Choosing the Right Color and Finish
When choosing a color theme for the kitchen, think of what will work best for the rest of the house. If you have a specific accent color in other rooms, try to carry it off to the kitchen in a way that will tie it into a cohesive theme. Also, remember that a kitchen remodel is one of the best home improvements when it comes to ROI (return on investment), but only when done right. Trends may come and go, so choosing a trendy, extravagant color for cabinets that will get out of style in a few years is not the right choice. Instead, think of a classic color for cabinets that will compliment the house and add touches of color you prefer as details, which are easy to swap out once you get tired of it.
When considering a color for cabinets it is important to also take into account the color of the walls and the flooring. Try to ensure that the cabinets compliment the other areas of the kitchen.
Consider Cabinet Hardware
Hardware can often be forgotten in the process of choosing the right type of cabinet and color, but such a minor detail as a handle can impact the style significantly. First, ensure that you select long-lasting materials such as brass or stainless steel instead of cheap plastic alternatives because the cabinet handles will see much wear and tear, and you don’t want to have to think of replacing them every few months. Another aspect to consider is the style that the kitchen is in; the little details of antique-looking knobs can create beautiful touch to a classic kitchen, while sleek and seamless modern handles can ensure the minimalist look of a contemporary kitchen.
You may even opt out of choosing cabinet handles and go for a push-to-open system, which has been on the rise in recent years. All in all, whatever option you choose will impact the look of the kitchen.
Tip: While you are thinking of hardware, consider soft-close hinges. These are a perfect improvement for kitchen cabinets if you want to avoid loud slamming noises every time you close the cabinet or drawer.
Installation Considerations
In general, it is possible to install the cabinets yourself, especially if you have the right tools (drill, level, screws, etc.) and a skill in measurement and woodworking. However, installing cabinets may be a more significant task than it seems.
The installation process actually begins when you measure the space to order the right-sized cabinets. It’s crucial to double-check all measurements and be prepared to make adjustments if needed for a proper fit. Keep in mind that cabinets are heavier than many expect, and you’ll need at least two people to lift, level, and drill them in place.
If you’re uncertain about your skills, seeking professional help is wise. Getting a quote for installation allows you to weigh the cost against the time and effort it would take to do it yourself. In most cases, the extra expense of hiring professionals is worth to avoid the frustration and potential mistakes of a DIY installation and damaging the cabinet.
Budgeting for Your Kitchen Cabinets
Even though it is hard to state the general budget for a kitchen remodel, there are some aspects you can consider to get an idea of what to expect from the cabinet remodel project.
As we discussed above, the choice of cabinet material can significantly raise or lower the price of the whole project. If you are planning on a budget-friendly remodel, consider such cabinet materials as painted MDF, thermofoil, or laminate. If you desire a specific style and don’t want to save up on the material, your choice may be hardwood cabinets.
Except for material, another aspect that will define the price is customisation. If you order standard size and style cabinets, you will save more money as they do not need to be tailored to your unique needs. Of course, this comes at the cost of opting out of custom storage solutions and helpful upgrades, as we discussed above, but you can later DIY some organization solutions yourself to save money.
Lastly, an important expense you have to consider is hiring a professional because different companies in your area may vary in quotes. Of course, it is recommended not to settle for the cheapest, but ensure that even if you have to choose more affordable cabinet styles, they are at least installed properly rather than having expensive cabinets placed improperly.
Eco-Friendly Options
In a world where mass consumerism has led to great environmental issues, it is essential to consider how you can implement more eco-friendly options into your kitchen cabinet remodel. Even though eco-friendly cabinets may be less common and hard to find, there are some options to consider:
- Bamboo cabinets are a great option. Bamboo grows much quicker than trees, generally used for hardwood furniture, making it more sustainable to source. It also performs very well and has been shown to be quite durable, although the price is much lower than hardwood. As for customization, bamboo can be stained in a variety of tones that can fit the desired aesthetic. Remember that most bamboo cabinets come in a slab style; however, as they are getting more popular, you may find other styles.
- Reclaimed wood is a great option if you want to give life to wood that is no longer needed but can, with a lot of care, be made into unique furniture pieces. This material can fit the farmhouse style and add a special charm. However, due to the processes needed to restore the used wood to prepare it to work well in the new place, the price tag for such custom work will be higher than some budget options.
Seeking professional help
This article has highlighted the key factors to consider when planning to replace your kitchen cabinets. We understand that choosing the suitable cabinets to match your desired style while ensuring functionality can be overwhelming. However, by thoughtfully considering your budget, style preferences, and personalized features, you can secure a lasting solution for your kitchen. At 24/7 Premier Remodeling, we specialize in all aspects of redesign and remodeling in Chicago. We take great care to ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience for our clients, meeting both their needs and deadlines.
Let us help you discover what will work best for your space. With our professional advice and step-by-step guidance, the cabinet renovation process will be smooth sailing. Get your free quote now!
