Tips for Purchasing Kitchen Cabinets

Whether you are looking for new cabinets because they need to be replaced after years of wear and tear, or they simply don’t fit into your desired layout anymore, the options can be overwhelming.

Before you start shopping, it is important to have a well-designed plan for if you are changing the layout and a budget in mind for what you would like to spend on your kitchen cabinets. Also, you’ll want to consider factors like size, style, and your budget when choosing cabinetry for your remodel. With cabinets accounting for almost half of most kitchen remodeling budgets, the process can be nerve-wracking too. Find out what you should focus on before you purchase kitchen cabinets to get the best bang for your buck.

1. Look For Certification
First, you’ll want to look for products that are certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association. These products will be subjected to tests that replicate years of normal kitchen abuse including humidity and a wide range of temperatures. Test will even include dousing cabinets with kitchen commodities like ketchup, vinegar, lemon, and coffee. This will ensure that the cabinets are of higher quality, and will not show signs of blistering, discoloration, or other damage, from normal everyday use.

2. Choose Your Style
Oak, maple, or painted white cabinets will make a kitchen seem brighter and larger. Darker wood, like cherry and mahogany, will create a dramatic effect. If your kitchen is small, we would suggest shying away from darker colored cabinets in favor of light cabinets to make the space feel more open and airy. Read more about how to make your space appear brighter and larger.

3. Decide What Features Are Important to You
Nowadays, cabinets come with use-friendly options that will make your life easier. For example, pull out drawers make it easier to search inside of a drawer without your hand getting stuck. Or consider adding a built-in open-storage system like a wine-rack or china display. A gourmet chef may get excited about a built in spice rack. Lazy Susan’s have been around for a while – all for good reason. They give yourself easy access into hard to reach areas of cabinets. With more features, comes higher expenses, therefore, it is important to find what accessories matter to you.

4. Recycle
Don’t throw away old cabinets. Programs like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores accept donations of cabinets for resale. Check with your local group to see if they will even pick up the cabinets for you. When removing the cabinets, make sure that they are carefully uninstalled, or let your contractor know that plan to donate them.

5. Create a Budget
It is important to create a budget for your new or renovated kitchen. Keep in mind that approximately 50% of the kitchen budget will be made up of cabinets. That means, most of your overall kitchen makeover budget will be attributed towards cabinets. Once you have an idea of how much you are willing to spend, you will be able to decide what options you can afford.

Cabinets are priced based on how many you purchase and what type of additions they incorporate. These extra options range from the type of materials utilized to gadgets that go inside your cabinets. Again, it is important to figure out what is important to you to make sure that all of your “must-haves” fit into your budget.

The Bottom Line

Before you go to purchase kitchen cabinets, narrow down the style that you want by saving ads from magazines, or browsing Pinterest, to get a feel for the type of style. Research different brands you may be interested in by visiting manufacturers websites and read customer reviews on cabinetry makes and models.

Next, visit a store so that you can feel something tangible. This will give you an even better idea of what you are looking for and will help you see the difference in methods of construction and quality. By visiting a mix of local cabinet makers and large commercial producers, you’ll be able to compare cabinets, obtain cost quotes, and find whats best for you.