If you’re planning a complete home remodel or just a refresh, the cabinets you choose for your kitchen are likely to be one of the biggest expenses, but this also tends to be one of the most rewarding purchases.
New kitchen cabinets are the ideal way to breathe new life into a kitchen, even if that’s the only change you’re making. They’re also functional and can add storage and a more practical aspect to your kitchen.
However, when you’re spending money on something like kitchen cabinets, how do you ensure you’re making the right choice?
Make Sure Full Replacement is Right For You
Before you take the plunge and purchase all new kitchen cabinets, you should take the time to consider whether or not it’s the right move for you. You may find that simply refacing your cabinets or replacing the doors and hardware is enough to give you the aesthetic you’re after, and you’ll save a lot of money.
A lot of homeowners will opt to compare estimates from both a refacing company and a cabinet building company before making a final decision.
Determine Your Budget
Once you’ve decided that complete cabinet replacement is right for you, you need to set a budget that you can stick to. Otherwise, cabinets, particularly custom-designed cabinets, can get expensive very quickly.
The general rule of thumb for stock cabinets is that prices start around $70 per linear foot, according to Consumer Reports, and they say a kitchen will have in most cases about 25 to 30 linear feet of cabinets. If you go for semi-custom cabinets, you might pay around $150 to $200 per linear foot, and for fully custom cabinets it can be upwards of $500 per linear foot.
Work on Measurements and Layout
If you’re just refacing your cabinets or replacing the doors, measurements and layout aren’t as big of a concern, but if you’re going for entirely custom cabinets, you might want to work with a designer to make sure your configuration is going to work well.
When you’re designing the layout of your new cabinets, you should also do so with an eye toward resale value if you plan on leaving your home at any time in the coming years. You want a layout that’s going to work well for a wide variety of buyers and be appealing to them.
Layout plans also take into consideration things like plumbing, electrical outlets, appliances, and more.
Think About Style
Deciding on the style of your new cabinets is probably the most fun part of the project. One of the most popular cabinet door styles right now is the Shaker option, which offers a great versatile, transitional style.
You might want a slab-style door, with no inset panel that tends to be more sleek and modern, or perhaps you want something more traditional, with carved detailing and extensive trim work.
Whatever your budget, configuration, and style, when you’re choosing new kitchen cabinets it’s important to approach it as an investment and make a decision that will serve you well for the future.
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