Buying Kitchen Cabinets

Know Before You Buy!

Perhaps the most significant part of your new kitchen is the kitchen cabinets. They really have a considerable impact on the look, feel, and function of your kitchen. Here are some things to consider before you make your selection.

Your kitchen cabinets are so important because they do most of the storage work in your kitchen. They store all your kitchen essentials such as pots and pans, dishware and utensils, and food (canned and dry goods, for example). There may be as much as 25 to 30 feet dedicated to cabinets in terms of linear feet. They store what needs to be stored and present a pleasing and uncluttered, and attractive look. Your kitchen cabinets really “make the room”.

There are several variables that you need to consider when choosing cabinets for your kitchen renovation. Factors include:

• Construction Method
• Size
• Materials
• Prices
• Your Budget

Here are the main options:

Type of Construction

There are three options of kitchen cabinets based on how they’re manufactured.

Kitchen cabinets are available in three types of construction:

• Stock
• semi-custom
• custom

Stock cabinets are mass-produced and sold at many home improvement centers. They are often pre-assembled and ready for installation, though some may require some assembly. Note that this type of cabinet may only be available in limited runs of colors, material options, and styles. Delivery usually takes a few weeks.

Semi-custom cabinets are stock cabinets with various extra details that help you personalize both style and storage capabilities. You can change the drawers’ dimensions, for instance, or go with a different finish on the door fronts. Cost will be higher and and delivery extended.

Custom cabinets are built to your exact size and style specifications in your choice’s material, color, and finish. They often include one-of-a-kind features such as an appliance garage or a coffee station, may boast furniture-style touches such as bun feet and leaded-glass doors and can be built floor to ceiling, perhaps adorned with crown molding at the top.

Size

Don’t hesitate to get help in selecting cabinet sizes.

Before you get to the fun part of choosing the look of your cabinets, you’d be wise to consider what sizes you need to hold your cookware, gadgets, pantry staples, and more. Ask yourself what’s lacking in your current cabinets’ height, width, and depth and where you require more (or less) storage room.

Then consider the basic sizes of stock cabinets currently available, according to Builders Surplus, a retailer for kitchen and bathroom cabinets:

• Most stock cabinets range in widths from 12 to 36 inches.
• Wall cabinets can range in height from 12 to 42 inches.
• Standard wall cabinets are usually 24 inches deep.
• Tall cabinets come in 84, 90, and 96 inches tall.
• Base cabinets can be between 32 and 38 inches tall, including the countertop.
• The width of base cabinets can vary from 9 to 46 inches.

Keep in mind that some manufacturers might offer other height and width options. And, of course, custom cabinetry builds can accommodate any space.

If working with an architect or designer, they will help you get a handle on cabinet size needs. Many home improvement centers offer a design service to help you determine the right configuration for your space and budget.

Computerized design services can even plot the kitchen out based on your measurements, show various configurations, and end up with printable drawings and a supply list for easier shopping.

Cabinet Styles – Framed or Frameless

You’ll see the terms “framed” and “frameless” to describe cabinet builds.

Framed cabinets are those with a box (i.e., your cabinet) and face frame (i.e., the structure attached to the front of the box that offers reinforcement needed to secure doors and drawers). With a face frame for support, the box can be a bit thinner and potentially fit into tighter spaces.

Frameless cabinets typically feature thicker cabinet boxes to which the doors and drawers directly attach. For sturdiest options, look for cabinet boxes that are at least half-inch thick or made from a sturdier material, such as plywood instead of particle board. Without a face frame that extends slightly past the storage area, it’s easier to access the full interior.

A standard European style, frameless cabinets often look more contemporary and at home in modern kitchens.

Get Close to an Actual Cabinet

To be comfortable with your decision, you need to see a real live cabinet of the type you are considering. This gives you your best chance to understand details.

Consider these questions to evaluate the quality of the cabinets, drawers, doors, and shelves.

Drawers:

• Are they solid wood?
• Do they slide smoothly on ball-bearing extensions?
• Are there dovetail joints holding the drawer firmly together?
• Is the bottom of the drawer sturdy wood slid into grooves or stapled or glued?

Box and Doors:

• Does it have solid wood panels? (Plywood panels might not hold up as well over time, especially under the weight of a heavier type of kitchen countertop, like marble.)
• If a frameless cabinet, is the box that the door connects to at least a half-inch thick?
• Does the cabinet door open easily?
• Does the door swing open wide enough to reach in without getting caught on the door edge?
• Are the hinges adjustable?

Shelves:

Are these at least three-quarter-inch plywood? Anything less than that, or anything made of particleboard may sag under the weight of dishes or kitchen items.

If you answer yes to most or all questions on this checklist, you’re looking at a higher-quality construction. Chances are that the price reflects this to some extent, too, but it’s smart to run down this checklist on more budget-friendly options as well so that you can see where a budget cabinet may fall short.

Looking over other styles and quality levels also helps you to be more informed.

Your Budget

Before buying kitchen cabinets, know your plans for the kitchen.

• Are you setting up a rental apartment?
• Will you be selling the home?

A kitchen remodel for either of the above situations may not justify a high budget.

However, if you are creating your ‘dream kitchen’ and will be in the home for many years, your investment in kitchen cabinets would relate to a higher budget.

Next, measure your kitchen to approximate the amount of space you’ll devote to cabinets. Keep this figure handy to multiply against the price per foot of your selection of upper and lower cabinets.

Your budget for kitchen cabinets could be about 40% of the total for the project.

Remember, customization such as increasing or decreasing the cabinets’ depth, installing specialty features like breadboards or wine racks, or even including oak-lined interiors, leaded-glass doors, pull-out trash cans, or roll-out shelves will all cost extra.

Specialized items such as these can add 15 to 20% to the cost of kitchen cabinets. However, there are ways to cut costs while still getting what you want; for instance, opting for semi-custom rather than custom cabinets or limiting add-ons to a few must-haves that you know you will enjoy for years to come.

If you’re weighing the cost-benefits in your dream kitchen, then know that high-quality kitchen cabinets will last for decades.

Where to Start

Begin your shopping at a home improvement center or kitchen cabinet showroom.

You may even want to start your research online before you get in your vehicle and make a trip to a design center.

Once you have some ideas about what options are available, head to a reputable showroom to see some cabinets and styles upfront (close and personal). Home improvement centers or kitchen appliance stores may have stock cabinetry available to inspect, while kitchen cabinet showrooms and more specialized stores showcase custom work examples.

Kitchen & Bath Creations are experts in kitchen cabinetry and they have a showroom and design center right in Annapolis! Stop by to learn more about kitchen cabinets from a company that specializes in kitchen design and kitchen cabinets.