Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets –  Toscana Remodeling

Kitchen cabinets have quite a bit of influence on the overall look of a kitchen. They take up much of the kitchen space, thus, they need to be thought of as an integral aspect of kitchen design. Even past just the design, the strength and durability of the cabinet materials must be considered as well. Here’s what to consider when renovating your kitchen cabinets.

At what point in a remodel do you focus on cabinetry?

If you plan on completing a kitchen remodel, then you need to plan out each part of the remodel before even starting. This applies to flooring, countertops, wall paint/design, appliances, and, of course, cabinetry. Every part is dependant on the others, and the ultimate goal is to create a kitchen design that works well together and suits the home’s design.

At the very least, you’ll need to note down your color scheme and measurements before anything. Measurements are most relevant to your cabinets and appliances. This is because your kitchen cabinets will likely need to accommodate the dimensions of your appliances.

Therefore, cabinet measurements and color should be determined beforehand. You can base cabinet color on the color scheme of your countertop, walls and flooring. In the end, the purpose of your cabinetry is to compliment the aspects of your kitchen that truly standout, like your countertops and backsplash.

What wood do you want for your kitchen cabinets?

With cabinet wood, your options are basically light, dark, or shades in between. When choosing the type of wood for your kitchen, take into account the dimensions of your kitchen and the amount of natural light it receives. Small kitchens will look larger with lighter colored woods like maple or oak, while larger kitchens can have a bold look with darker woods like mahogany or hickory.

Similarly, kitchens that lack in natural light would benefit most from lighter colored cabinets. And kitchens that have plenty of natural lighting can make good use of darker colored cabinets.

Additionally, consider the rest of the kitchen features. Specific cabinet colors will be suitable for specific countertop colors. In the end, you can have your cabinets painted any color, but the most popular colors are gray, black, white, and some shades of brown.

How to purchase kitchen cabinets

Similar to many other items, cabinetry varies in terms of quality and versatility. It depends on your preferences and budget when it comes to which level is best for your remodeling project. You’ll find cabinets that are ready to assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom.

What does each option entail?

Prepared for Assembly: Ideal for homeowners seeking a fast and straightforward cabinet solution. You have the option to buy RTA cabinets at nearby hardware stores. This particular cabinet is fixed as it is, and no modifications can be made to it. They’re cheaper when compared to other cabinetry types and can be a great buy for homeowners capable of effective DIY installation.

Stock: Purchased pre-sized directly from the manufacturer. This type of cabinet can’t be altered either, but you can benefit from affordable, good-quality cabinets just by picking a reliable manufacturer. On-site production is employed to create stock cabinets, which are commonly crafted from particleboard material.

Semi-Custom: Consumers will have some say in sizing at this grade of cabinetry. Additionally, you’ll have an improved selection of styles, finishes and storage capabilities. The cost of semi-custom cabinets typically falls within the ideal range for homeowners seeking a top-notch enhancement for their kitchens. Often, pricing also includes the cost of installation.

Custom: This is true high-end cabinetry. You’ll have your choice of countless design options, including style, finish and accessories. Custom cabinets are made-to-order. Consumers will have complete control over the look and custom features of their cabinets; therefore, they’ll know exactly what to expect when their cabinets are delivered to their homes.

Which kinds of cabinets should you take into account?

Every kitchen has some type of cabinet. While undergoing the renovation, it’s crucial to grasp specific terminology. So, when you’re sorting through each section of cabinetry, use the following terms:

Base: Cabinets that are affixed to or suspended above your floor. Base cabinets vary in depth, ranging from two to three feet, and their height is determined by the layout of your kitchen. Larger, as the majority of homeowners keep their pots and pans stored in lower cabinets.

Wall: The cabinets attached to your walls that are above your kitchen counters. These are generally 12 inches in depth and tend to store glasses or cups, as well as stacked dishes and bowls. Certainly, wall cabinets, whether semi-custom or custom-built, can be expanded in depth as required.

Tall: Tall kitchen cabinets might as well be called pantry cabinets. These units stand at a height of over 80 inches, making them ideal for storing items such as food, paper plates, lunchboxes, containers, and more. If your kitchen lacks the room for a walk-in pantry, tall cabinets can serve as an excellent alternative. Certainly! In reality, having tall cabinets in your kitchen will enhance its aesthetic appeal more than placing a random door in the corner.

Specialty: Specially designed cabinets for unique storage situations. For instance, installing corner cabinets that can open at a particular angle or placing a built-in bottle rack inside of a certain cabinet.

What about cabinet finishes?

After choosing the grade, type, and color for your cabinet, what comes next?

What kind of finish do you want your kitchen cabinets to have? Your choices include painting, staining, glazing, distressing, and antiquing, either individually or in combination.

Stained cabinets are a popular option. Stained wood offers character and is more attention grabbing than a simple, solid-colored cabinet. In a way, stained cabinets can be compared to a granite countertop. Granite possesses an inherent grain that gives rise to an unpredictable combination of color tones and patterns. Such a random, imperfect design makes the countertop material inviting and very easy on the eyes.

Stained cabinets don’t necessarily experience color changes, but the staining does result in different shades of the same colors. It looks as though the cabinets are already broken in, ready for everyday use.

Glazed kitchen cabinets are also quite popular. Such a finish will present an appealing gloss, or shine. White cabinets are often glazed, as they benefit from a little added depth and character, rather than plainness.

Then you have the distressed, or antique options for a cabinet finish. These finishing techniques are meant to make your cabinets look aged. Sounds like a strange characteristic, right? Maybe, but if you see a distressed cabinet in person, you’ll probably end up liking the uniqueness.

Not all products exhibit their optimal performance in a shiny and brand-new condition. This especially applies to wood. Homeowners often want their homes to have character. Character makes a home feel cozier.

What advanced options do you have for cabinetry?

Carpenters can have all sorts of fun with woodwork. They possess the capacity to incorporate unique elements into projects, elevating their attractiveness to consumers. Obviously, you’ll have to pay extra for these special features. Still, it’s often worth the extra cost to make your kitchen cabinets more appealing and easier to function in.

For example, a pullout cabinet for recycling and trash cans can make life a little easier. Custom-made wine racks are a sought-after feature for people that have plenty of wine that they need stored. If the wine rack is something you would like to show off, consider covering the cabinet with a glass panel so people can see the wine rack without having to open or pull the cabinet door. As for trash bins or recycling bins, you’ll probably want to keep those hidden.

Additionally, cabinet drawers that pull out all the way are a nice home addition. Too often, we get cuts from the wood because we were forced to reach all the way back in the drawer to grab something. Even if there’s no cut, it’s annoying having to blindly reach.

Having a kitchen that seamlessly meets your preferences, devoid of any disruptions, brings a satisfying feeling.

Final Thoughts

You’re going to have to do a lot of planning before starting a kitchen remodel. Therefore, it’s not a bad idea to run your thoughts and ideas by a professional designer or contractor. You’ll receive great advice and guidance for every aspect of a kitchen remodel. If you don’t seek professional design assistance then at least try to handle the remodel one aspect at a time. Choose your flooring, countertop, kitchen cabinets, etc. Compartmentalizing can go a long way for big projects.

If there is something that the contractor is not 100% capable of completing, chances are he/she will have another contractor on speed dial capable of the task. It’s not often that contractors are limited, but aspects of a remodel, like plumbing, can sometimes call for the assistance of a professional plumber.

The point is that a kitchen remodel is easier and quicker if completed by a professional contractor. Experienced designers and installers can have a significant impact. Sure, you’ll have to pay for their labor, but it’ll be well worth it knowing the job was done with precision. Once again, there is a substantial amount of activity involved in a significant project like this, and the greater the tasks at hand, the higher the potential for things to go awry.

Hire a professional! You’ll be glad you did!

Toscana Remodeling

Toscana Remodeling has been in the remodeling business for quite a while. We pride ourselves in offering customers a wide selection of home remodeling goods, including flooring, countertops and cabinetry. We also take pride in the installation services we offer. Customers need not search elsewhere for each remodeling task. It can all be done with Toscana Remodeling at your service!

For expert cabinet advice and installation, give Toscana Remodeling a call! Our team of remodeling professionals is well-versed in the intricacies of kitchen design and construction. We’ll install any type of cabinet that you request and we’ll ensure all installments are built to last.

Please visit our website—toscanaremodeling.com—to view our remodeling services, whether it be flooring, countertops or kitchen cabinets. Also, check out our blog for more helpful remodeling input.