If you are planning to redecorate or renovate your kitchen, you might want to consider purchasing new kitchen cabinets. If you are not knowledgeable in this area or if you need help in being able to get the best set of cabinets for your kitchen, you are in the right place. In this article, you will find what you need to know about purchasing cabinets in three steps:
Step 1: Decide on which Type of Cabinet is Right for you and Your Kitchen
The first step that you need to take before purchasing kitchen cabinets is to first decide which type of cabinet is the right one for you that will also be the best for your kitchen. There are four different types of cabinets that you can choose from which are the:
- Base Cabinets: These cabinets are 36 inches in height and 24 inches in depth. The depth of these kitchen cabinets may be increased depending on your needs and applications.
- Wall Cabinets: Wall cabinets, also commonly referred to as “upper cabinetry,” are generally 12 inches in depth. However, depending on your needs and applications, the depth can be increased up to 17 inches.
- Tall cabinets: These types of cabinets for the kitchen are usually 83.5 inches tall. These can serve as a broom storage area and as an additional space for your pantry use.
- Specialty Unit Cabinets: Specialty unit cabinets are used to maximize organization efforts as well as the square footage area of the kitchen. These include sink or cooktop fronts, hutches, appliances garages, bottle racks, suspended units, and corner cabinets. A specialty unit that measures 18 inches can create a workspace area in between the bottom edge of your upper or wall cabinets and your countertops.
Aside from choosing the type of kitchen cabinets that best suits your personal preference and your needs, you also need to determine which type of cabinet quality grade to purchase. There are four basic types of cabinet quality grades that you can choose from and these include the following:
- RTA: RTA stands for Ready-to-Assemble. As implied by its term, these cabinets are readily available and are specifically constructed to be cost-efficient. While these cabinets can be purchased boxed from a home supply, furniture, or equipment store, the selection is usually limited when it comes to the size, the materials used, and the style.
You would also need to assemble these cabinets yourself, so it requires a bit of do-it-yourself knowledge. However, if you take pride in being knowledgeable when it comes to these types of projects, you can choose to purchase RTAs as this will help you save a considerable amount of money.
- Stock: Stock kitchen cabinets may be the right one for you if you are only looking for an economical and basic option. These cabinets are mass produced and are available only in fixed sizes, meaning that you cannot alter the measurements that they already come in. The materials that are most commonly used in this type of kitchen cabinet include solid wood, laminates, or melamime.
- Semi Custom: Semi custom kitchen cabinets can offer you with a wider range of styles and materials. This is why this type of kitchen cabinet is often the mid-range option that a lot of people choose when they need a cabinet that can be customized up to a point but is till something within their price range.
Since semi custom cabinets offer a much broader selection when it comes to storage solutions, decorative enhancements, finishes, and styles, this type of cabinet for your kitchen may the best option for you if you have a bigger budget. Just keep in mind that while you can somewhat make some changes on the cabinet; you cannot alter every detail that the cabinet features.
- Custom: Custom cabinets are just what its term implies: they are customized depending on your needs, your requirements, your applications, and your preference. If you have a higher budget, you can choose to order custom kitchen cabinets seeing that you have the power to have it styled, constructed, and finished according to whatever you need and prefer.
These cabinets offer the most diversity when it comes to the materials, the styles, the finishes, and the accessories that will come with it. These are unique and tailored cabinets that also offer innovative solutions with its one-of-a-kind designs. Through custom cabinets, you will be able to make use of even the narrowest, barest, and unutilized areas in your kitchen.
Step 2: Take into Consideration the Following Important Factors
Now that you have learned all about the different types and quality grades of kitchen cabinets, the next step is for you to take into consideration the important factors that are listed below. Keep in mind that this step is just as important as the first and the third step, as this will also help you choose the best cabinet that you will have installed in your kitchen, which is one of the most commonly used rooms in your home.
- Cabinet Frames
- Materials Used
- Cabinet Construction
- Cabinet Drawers
- Cabinet Glides
- Cabinet Doors, Latches, Catches, and Hinges
- Cabinet Finishes
- Additional Cabinet Features
- Your Budget
While it is important that you do not spend more than what your budget can afford, it is equally important that you do not purchase kitchen cabinets just because of their cheap prices. Not all cheap cabinets are constructed using good quality materials, so if you purchase them just because they are cheap, it is highly possible that you will end up having to replace them soon because of their low quality.
Step 3: Choose a Reliable Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer or Provider
The final step in purchasing kitchen cabinets is to find a reliable and reputable manufacturer or provider. There are many kitchen cabinet manufacturers and providers offering their products and installation services both online and offline. What you can do to find the right company purchase your cabinets from is to research for local providers in your area or ask for recommendations from the people that you trust. Local providers often have lower rates with their products and services, so choosing to purchase your cabinets from them will help you save even more money.
