How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets: 6 Tips

Craftsmanship, functionality, cost — there's a lot to consider when selecting new kitchen cabinets. Appearances matter, too. As the most dominant pieces of furniture in the space, cabinets define the style of your kitchen. If you're on the hunt for quality cabinetry that meets all your specifications, these six tips can help point you in the right direction.

Tip 1: Express Your Personal Style

Like the other rooms in your home, kitchens look best when they reflect your unique taste and lifestyle. Whether or not your home has an open floor plan, the cabinetry should blend in seamlessly with the rest of your décor. 

If you lean towards contemporary furnishings with clean lines and sleek finishes, choose cabinets with the same characteristics. If you prefer a more traditional look, our Americana kitchen cabinets offer an appealing option. These all-wood cabinets feature soft-close glides and hinges with a lifetime warranty, showcasing American craftsmanship at its finest.

Tip 2: Keep Your Color Palette Cohesive

Unless you're building a new kitchen from the ground up, choose a color for your cabinets that complements the surrounding space. Before you decide on the exact hue, consider the shades of the wall, flooring and appliances. Cabinetry in a contrasting color can add drama and visual interest; a tone-on-tone color palette adds a feeling of serenity to the space. If you're concerned about compromising your home's resale value with a color that might go out of style, consider white cabinets. It creates the ideal backdrop for any number of décor options and styles.

Tip 3: Maximize Functionality

Once you've selected the color, style and finish you want for your new cabinetry, it's time to think about functionality. There's a lot to explore! From designated spaces for baking sheets to pull-out drawers for pots and pans, today's modern designs let you organize everything according to function. Slamming doors and drawers are also a thing of the past. Soft-close door hinges and drawer glides operate at the touch of a finger — or an elbow if your hands are full!

Tip 4: Upscale Your Cabinets With Hardware

Like jewelry for your kitchen, cabinet hardware adds the finishing touches to your updated kitchen. They also add another opportunity to express your unique taste. Depending on the style, fixtures like handles, knobs and pulls can give your cabinetry an air of historic elegance, urban sophistication or farmhouse chic. 

Top-end hardware adds a note of sophistication. Hardware with faux finishes or glazes let you upscale your cabinetry without breaking the bank. Whether you're going all out with your kitchen remodel or watching your budget, you'll find hardware that enhances the look of your new kitchen cabinets.

Tip 5: Cabinet Cost Considerations

Are you worried about going over budget on your kitchen renovation? Ultimately, the amount of money you'll spend on your kitchen update depends on the types of cabinets you choose. Here's a breakdown of the three most popular choices for kitchen cabinetry.

• The most affordable option is stock cabinets that come fully assembled and ready to install. While custom dimensions aren't an option, the best brands feature quality construction.
• Semi-custom cabinetry offers a broader array of selections, including custom depths. They cost more than stock cabinets but are available in a wider range of colors, finishes and styles.
• Custom cabinets can be built to meet your specific needs, whether it's an unusual configuration or a one-of-a-kind design. You can expect to pay the most for custom cabinetry.

Tip 6: Partner With Professionals

Will your new cabinetry work in your space? Will their color, finish and hardware complement your home? If these tips on how to choose kitchen cabinets leave you with additional questions, our professionals are ready and able to assist you. You may wish to start the process with our free kitchen design services. We make it easy to visualize how the cabinetry will look once it's in place!