|
||
Kitchen cabinets are a big expense, but make the most difference in the look of your home. There are a wide variety of styles, designs and materials available in new cabinets and cabinet doors. Visit home improvement stores for ideas. Many offer computerized images of your kitchen with the new cabinets.
Before shopping, it's important to take accurate measurements. This saves time and helps with planning. Be sure to measure the appliance areas to get a more accurate picture of the cost and how your kitchen will look.
Most home improvement stores will send a representative to your home to double check your measurements before your new kitchen is ordered. This will ensure accurate measurements and you will be sure your new cabinets will fit perfectly.
Kitchen Cabinet Options
Stock cabinets come in standard sizes. A few styles and color options are available, but are more limited than either semi custom or custom cabinetry. Most consist of basic cabinet and drawer styles. Stock cabinets are often used in new construction and are the least expensive alternative.
Semi custom cabinets come in standard sizes, but you have more options in terms of style, designs and storage choices. There are more color and wood varieties available. These are more expensive than stock cabinets, but are generally higher quality.
There are many different storage options available in semi custom cabinets. Take some time to look at these before making a decision. A lazy Susan, wine rack, pull out garbage cans, vertical dividers for storing trays and pull out shelves make storing and organizing the kitchen much easier. Consider your lifestyle and the storage issues that are most pressing when making a choice.
Custom cabinets are the most expensive alternative. These are made just for your kitchen. You can have any style, size or design you want in a custom job. But you will pay for it. The quality of the wood and fit is often better than with either stock or semi custom. A designer will come to your home, take measurements and work with you to find the right design for your home.
Setting a Budget for Kitchen Cabinets
Before you buy, you will need to set a budget. Decide how much you can afford and what you are willing to spend on new cabinets. Prices among stock, semi custom and custom cabinets vary widely. The rule of thumb is that new cabinetry will make up about half the budget of your new kitchen.
Consider how long you will stay in your home when deciding on a budget. If you plan on moving in the next year or two, you may want to spend less. If you plan to stay for many years to come, you may want to go all out for the custom kitchen.
Don't sacrifice quality in an effort to save money. You still want decent quality cabinets in your home. Try the cabinets in the showroom. Open the doors and drawers to be sure they operate smoothly. There should be no squeaks or rough movements. Look for solid construction that will last for years.
If you want to add a dramatic decorative element to your kitchen, consider installing a kitchen island. Besides the beauty and interest an island adds to a kitchen, it will add work space and storage space. This is usually one of the biggest complaints by homeowners, the lack of room to prepare meals, and shortage of storage space. An island solves these problems and can even add extra seating and eating space to a kitchen. You can add a grill or sink for added convenience in the kitchen.
Most islands are basically tables that are a bit taller than an eating table. Even the most basic kitchen island will add extra space for the preparation, serving and eating of meals. Adding a special touch or two will bring an interesting design into the room. You have to put cabinets under it to get additional storage space, however.
The storage space that can be built into an island can suit your owner needs. Extra drawers, cabinets, big open spaces for large appliances; whatever your storage needs can be addressed.
Many custom built islands include such luxury features as an extra sink, an extra cook surface (a grill or burners), warming ovens, small refrigerators, etc. YOU can even put a dishwasher under the kitchen island. Adding specialized surfaces such as granite or butcher block make meal preparation easier. You can combine any and all of these features for you own unique kitchen island.
There are even multi level islands to add further flexibility and customization to your choices. A higher level may contain an additional sink or cook surface, with a lower surface for serving meals. These kitchen islands are usually larger in size to accommodate the added uses.
Since there is such a variety in the size of kitchen islands, you have to choose the one that will fit best in your kitchen. Measure the area where you want to put the island and put a piece of furniture or some boxes to emulate the amount of space that will be used. This will help give you the visual impact of the island. Try leaving them for a couple of days, walking around them to make sure the space is workable.
You will need at least three feet on each side of the island for a walk around area. You want to have plenty of room to turn and use your regular counter space and appliances. When measuring, make sure you open all of the appliances, cabinets and drawers in your kitchen to make sure you have enough room.
If you don't have the proper amount of space for an installed island, you might think about a portable one. These islands come with wheels and can be moved when not in use. This way, you can gain the additional workspace you need without losing critical movement space in your kitchen. These, of course, will not allow you to add and special features such as a stove top or a sink to them, although they often have some storage space.