How to be a smart shopper when selecting kitchen cabinets

When renovating or remodeling a kitchen, your choice of kitchen cabinets may be the most important selection you make. Cabinet selection is important for two reasons.

First of all, the cabinets you choose for your new kitchen will be the elements that have the greatest visual impact. In the average kitchen, cabinets are mounted on or against at least two walls (or the equivalent), and perhaps more. Cabinets will also create the foundation for an island, whether designed for cooking or casual dining. The cabinets you select will set the design of your kitchen.

Second, the cabinets you select will account for about half of the total cost of your kitchen renovation or remodel. Although you can find and buy cabinets in a wide range of price categories, this is an almost universally applicable rule of thumb. Good cabinets at not cheap. Most kitchen designers and contractors will agree that kitchen cabinets are not the place to skimp when designing a new kitchen. Your cabinets will outlast your kitchen floor, your appliances, and possibly your countertops (depending on the material you choose).

Characteristics of good kitchen cabinet construction:

• Avoid drawers attached with glue, nails, or staples.
• Avoid drawers made with fine particle board
• Test the drawers before you buy to make sure they will hold about 75lbs when open
• The cabinet box or crate must be made of 1/2-inch-thick or thicker lumber on all sides.
• All cabinet surfaces must be finished, including the back and interior sides.
• Kitchen cabinets should have adjustable shelves (this is a clear indication of build quality)
• All shelves in kitchen cabinets must be 5/8 inch thick or more or they will bow
• Check the quality of the hinges (most should be invisible from the front, no squeaks or metals that rust easily) and make sure the doors open fully.
• The best kitchen cabinets are made entirely of solid wood.
• A plywood case or crate with solid wood frames and doors can still be a good quality product.
• Some reliable kitchen cabinets are available at a lower cost because they are built with plywood backings and use medium- to high-density particle board for the door and drawer fronts. Others use laminate over particle board.

Cabinet design installs cabinet doors in one of two ways. Frameless construction was a very popular adoption of European design in the 1960s. The style is still very popular in contemporary kitchens. In this style, the door covers the entire cabinet box or case. Alternatively, in framed construction, doors are installed in such a way as to leave a frame around the outside of the door. Framed construction is the norm in traditional, country, cottage and many eclectic kitchen styles.

Ways to buy kitchen cabinets:

1. Knock-down cabinets can be purchased and brought home the same day. Many homeowners are able to install these units themselves. These are the least expensive types of cabinets and may be the perfect choice if you’re on a tight budget.
2. Standard kitchen cabinets are available only in standard sizes and limited styles and finishes because they are mass-produced by the manufacturer. They are also a good option when the budget is tight.
3. Semi-custom cabinets are also available in standard sizes only. There is a larger selection of styles, finishes, accessories and options. These provide some more flexibility in your kitchen design.
4. Custom cabinets, while available from some cabinet companies, are most often purchased from local cabinetmakers. These cabinets are made to order and therefore built to the exact specifications of your needs. They are more expensive, but offer the greatest variety in wood, finish, style, size and special and unique details.
5. Hybrid approaches are also very popular. By working with a cabinetmaker to select the kitchen cabinets you like from a manufacturer. The cabinetmaker then installs the standard-size cabinets and customizes others for special sizes and needs, as well as adding personal touches and special features.

Many inserts and built-in features are also available to provide organization and easy access to items stored within your kitchen cabinets. From pull-out work surfaces to drawer fronts for refrigerated drawers, door covers to corners for small appliances and wine racks, you can customize your cabinets in a variety of ways to meet your needs. It is possible to create a design piece of furniture or work surface suitable for every need.

There are also a number of features available or customizable to meet the needs of people with disabilities. These include lower work surfaces that pull out or are stationary and leave open space below. Removable organizers, Lazy Susans and other enhancements to keep items easily accessible.

This basic information should help you start making decisions about your new kitchen cabinets. When shopping, keep in mind that the look of your kitchen renovation will largely be set by the cabinets you choose. Your cabinetmaker will be able to help you consider the wide range of ways you can customize your cabinets and create a unique kitchen design.