Whether your cabinets are worn and dated or you just want a new look, the possibilities are endless. Cabinets can be a big investment, so you want to be diligent about choosing affordable custom cabinets that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come.
Refreshing the Look of Your Cabinets
Installing brand new cabinets is not necessarily the only option when it comes to creating a new look. If your existing cabinets are of good quality, are in excellent working condition and the layout functions well, a viable and often very affordable options may be to stain or paint them to create a new look. Re-facing is another option that involves installing a new veneer on the exterior of the cabinet box and replacing the doors and drawer edonts. The process is much faster than installing new cabinets because the cabinets remain intact and the work is done on site. However, with most of the cost of a cabinet in the door, installing new cabinets may be the better option.
The Right Cabinets for You
There are basically three directions you can go when selecting cabinets: custom, semi-custom and stock. How the cabinets will be used- are they for a gourmet or custom kitchen, will they be used in a laundry room, is it for the kid’s bath…often determines the best direction to go.
Custom cabinets are built to exact specifications and offer endless options with regard to materials, designs, finishes and accessories. Choosing custom cabinets requires the longest lead time and is the most expensive route.
Semi-custom cabinets are just that: semi-custom. While the cabinets are made to the homeowner’s size requirements, the manufacturer produces them in predetermined increments. The range of materials, designs, finishes and accessories is not as large as with semi-custom cabinets, but they cost less than fully custom cabinets.
Stock cabinets, which tend to be the least expensive new cabinet option, are premade and come in standard sizes. Many stock cabinets are made of solid wood like there custom and semi-custom counterparts. However size and style options are much more limited than with the alternatives.
Cabinet and Door Styles
Cabinets come in several style options. Framed cabinet styles, which are popular in traditional kitchens, have a front frame around the cabinet opening. The door attaches to the frame. Frameless, or European-style cabinets, have no front frame. The door attaches directly to the side of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets, which are often used in contemporary kitchens, offer open access to the cabinet interior.
There are basically three door styles to choose from. Traditional-overlay doors which cover some of the frame, full-overlay doors which cover the entire cabinet frame and inset doors which sit inside the cabinet frame.
Accessorizing Your Cabinets
Cabinets today are not what they used to be. Now, every cabinet has a purpose. Pullout drawers for pots and pans, oversized drawers for baking sheets and designated cabinets for trash and recycling are just some examples. Accessories like lazy susans, built-in spice racks, and drawer organizers make the kitchen a much more efficient and enjoyable place. Finishing off your cabinets with well selected hardware including pulls, knobs and handles can help to create a custom look that suits your style.
