New Kitchen Cabinets: Part II - Cabinet Styles
Remodeling your kitchen can be a smart investment, one that pays off in pleasure of use and future resale value of a home. But there's more to remodeling a kitchen than just throwing in new cabinets. In fact, the mere process of shopping for new cabinets can be a little overwhelming. When you begin investigating the options for kitchen cabinets, you'll find that there are some beautiful choices. The first article in this series introduced how much kitchen cabinets cost. This article discusses what you should consider in terms of style.
Exploring the Differences
There's quite a bit of difference between stock kitchen cabinets (those available at a home improvement store) and custom-designed cabinets. Cabinets differ in terms of materials, door style, cabinet finish, and price. Selecting the right cabinet is often a matter of finding the cabinets that best suit your aesthetic taste, budget, and lifestyle.
Cabinet-Making Materials
Kitchen cabinets are available in a variety of materials. Custom cabinets are often made from solid wood, or from plywood with wood veneers applied to the exposed surfaces. Manufactured cabinets are available with a laminate or thermafoil surface. The manufactured surface minimizes the cost of the cabinets because the materials are less expensive to manufacture; clean-up is very simple for these cabinets.
Door Style
The style of door is one of the single most unique features of kitchen cabinets. Cabinets are available with doors that are completely flat, or that have either a raised or recessed front panel, glass panels, or arched panels.
Selecting the right door style is largely a matter of personal preference. You will probably also want a door style that matches other furniture or room styles you have. For instance, a sleek, laminated, flat panel door may not be the best choice for a Victorian-styled kitchen.
Most kitchen cabinet businesses, whether home improvement stores or custom builders, offer a design consultant service. These consultants can meet with you in your home and offer suggestions regarding cabinet and door styles that will work with your home.
Cabinet Finishes
Cabinet finish refers to the type of wood and the color of stain applied to the wood. The most common hardwoods are oak, maple, and cherry. Each wood can be finished in a stain that is either light, medium, or dark. The best choice of finish is one that matches the other furniture pieces throughout your home.
Price Differences
The single most important difference in kitchen cabinets is price. Cabinets from a home improvement center tend to be a combination of materials, such as a composite cabinet with a wood veneer. These are available in stock cabinet sizes and are manufactured in bulk. These cabinets are available at a fraction of the cost of custom-built cabinets.
Picking the perfect cabinet is usually a decision based on your budget and home style. Most cabinet consultants are more than happy to help guide you in making an informed decision. Ultimately, your investment in your kitchen remodel has the greatest potential for return on investment and should be considered carefully.
