If you’re remodeling your kitchen, then kitchen cabinets may be first on your list to replace. But be prepared: 70% of your new kitchen remodel budget will be spent on the cabinets alone. That means it’s important to choose wisely when choosing new kitchen cabinets.

Where to start when choosing kitchen cabinets

You’ll find that there are numerous options when it comes to cabinet options, with a variety of different door styles, woods, finishes, and options. It can seem a bit overwhelming to decide where to start when choosing kitchen cabinets, but here are some suggestions to get you started.

• know yourself – What this means is examining your kitchen layout and considering your family’s lifestyle and cooking habits. Not only do you want beautiful kitchen cabinets, but you also need them to be located in practical areas.
• Not sure what you need? Contact an expert – Request professional guidance in the selection of kitchen furniture if you need it. Remember, 70% of your budget goes into your kitchen cabinets, so if you’re not sure, ask an expert like an architect or kitchen designer for help.

Finding Ways to Save Costs on Kitchen Cabinets

If you don’t have a lot of money to work with, consider mass-produced kitchen cabinets instead of custom units. If your kitchen’s dimensions allow it, standard-size standard cabinets save you money so you can upgrade other parts of the kitchen, like buying new appliances. You may not have as many finishing options by purchasing mass-produced kitchen cabinets, but they can still look stylish and be quite durable.

Five Tips When Buying Kitchen Cabinets

Once you have a plan for your kitchen remodeling project, consider the following tips as you begin your search for new kitchen cabinets.

1. make sure they fit – If your kitchen has ‘odd’ areas, spend extra money on custom units to fit the exact dimensions of the space. Having kitchen cabinets that look out of place can be just as bad as keeping the old cabinets.
2. Choose quality finishes – It doesn’t matter if it’s maple, oak or cherry. You can spot quality kitchen cabinets when the grain matches from piece to piece.
3. Consider durability and warranty – While foil or laminate kitchen cabinets are easier to clean and less expensive than solid wood, they are also less durable. It’s important to find out what the warranty covers when purchasing thermoplastic or laminate kitchen cabinets.
4. Think beauty and practicality – Choose kitchen cabinets that not only look beautiful, but are also useful. That means making sure they can withstand the pounding of heavy cookware and dishes, as well as countless openings and closings.
5. Consider the dimensions – For example, doors should have 3/4-inch-thick front frames and 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick sides. Shelves should be 3/4-inch thick and made of veneer-covered plywood, which is less likely to warp than solid wood.
6. Consider the construction of the kitchen cabinet – Drawers with dovetail joints are stronger than those with staples. Doors with tight mortise corners are stronger than non-interlocking butt joints. When it comes to kitchen drawers, make sure they are fully extended and equipped with self-closing glides rated to support 75 pounds.

Budget too small for new kitchen cabinets?

If you don’t have enough money for new kitchen cabinets, another option is to refinish the ones you currently have. Also, refacing is a process where only the doors and drawers are replaced. Another way to save money is to buy a less expensive wood and then stain it to look like the wood of your choice. For example, if you don’t have the money for cherry wood, you can buy pine wood and use a cherry finish instead.

Whether you’re shopping for new kitchen cabinets or upgrading existing ones, it’s important to remember two helpful tips. First, your kitchen cabinets are the focal point of your kitchen, so they need to look beautiful. Second, kitchen cabinets serve a purpose, so they need to be useful as well. Keep all these facts in mind and you will find that shopping for kitchen cabinets is a piece of cake.