We may be the stone experts but cabinetry is a crucial component of your remodel. The wrong decisions can lead to pacing back and forth while you try to make Thanksgiving dinner, hunting for the turkey baster that you KNOW is somewhere. Choosing cabinets doesn’t have to be hard as long as you keep these things in mind:
DO:
Measure your space before committing to any particular style or layout. If your kitchen is on the smaller side, you’ll want to place efficiency at the top of your list when it comes to cabinets. There is nothing worse than having to keep half of your small appliances in the garage or laundry because you didn’t plan well enough before buying. Measuring cabinets also come in handy when it comes to choosing countertops down the road- you’ll know exactly how much surface area you need to cover and can budget appropriately.
Have a general color scheme and aesthetic in mind. Remodels can be overwhelming as is- trying to pick something without the slightest inkling as to your overall design preference is just adds to the stress and can delay getting off the ground running. Knowing what styles are in your budget beforehand can also keep you from lusting over something unattainable or blowing your budget.
Be flexible. Don’t dismiss stock cabinets right off the bat or totally rule out rehabbing your current ones. While having a general design in mind is always best, don’t commit to anything until you’ve seen it in person and considered it with your lifestyle. Open cabinetry may seem like a dream kitchen come true but if you are less than organized or a borderline pack rat it probably won’t give you too much satisfaction in the long run.
DONT:
Go cheap. If you play your cards right, you shouldn’t need to replace your cabinets until your next kitchen remodel. This means not skimping on craftsmanship– a good product goes a long way and can save you headaches down the road when hinges are breaking and drawer fronts are falling off because you went with the cheapest product available.
Be too trendy. Trends are fleeting- that’s the nature of them. When picking your cabinetry it’s good to know what styles have longevity and which may pass out of favor as soon as you finish your remodel. This is especially important if your remodel is part of a plan to increase equity and sell sooner rather than later. You may love bright yellow cabinets but will the next owner of your home?
Scrap your budget. Blowing your remodel budget on custom cabinets may not be the best choice if it means you’ll end up having to super skimp in other areas. What good are beautiful cabinets if you have to have your early 90’s laminate resting on top of them. You know you best- being flexible doesn’t mean caving in.
Have you remodeled recently? What advice would you pass along to homeowners getting ready to take the plunge?
