With declining home sales and stricter mortgage regulations, numerous homeowners are facing challenges in selling their homes to move up to larger ones. Consequently, there's been a surge in home renovation projects as homeowners seek to enhance livability and boost their property's value. Among these projects, renovating the kitchen stands out as an effective means of adding value and refreshing the ambiance of a home.
In kitchen renovations, the choice of kitchen cabinets holds significant sway over other design decisions. Your selection of cabinets dictates the style and layout of your kitchen, influencing choices regarding countertops, appliances, and hardware.
One notable drawback of traditional store-bought cabinets is the lengthy delivery time, often spanning 8-10 weeks. Thus, it's crucial to finalize your cabinet choice before commencing any demolition or remodeling work in your kitchen. While some online options promise quicker delivery, availability depends on the desired style and construction, a topic we'll delve into later in this article.
Before diving into cabinet options, establishing a target budget and creating a basic floor plan or layout is essential. With the average kitchen remodel costing between $40,000 to $50,000, accurately estimating expenses is paramount. Even DIY homeowners with minimal experience can undertake designing and laying out their kitchen, saving significant costs on professional design services.
For those less inclined towards DIY, seeking assistance from a kitchen designer or utilizing free design services offered by home improvement centers is advisable.
Several factors influence cabinet costs, including brand, construction, wood type, and features. Thorough research is necessary, as higher prices don't always equate to superior quality. In fact, lesser-known cabinet lines may offer robust construction at competitive prices.
Here are some general tips for purchasing kitchen cabinets:
Wood Choices: Custom-made, stock, or RTA cabinets offer a range of wood options. Solid hardwoods like Cherry, Maple, Birch, Hickory, and Oak are pricier than laminate or veneer finishes.
Framed Cabinets: Face framed construction, prevalent in the US, involves a hardwood face married to a particleboard or plywood cabinet box. Solid wood or plywood construction is recommended to prevent sagging or warping.
Frameless Cabinets: Increasingly popular, frameless cabinets lack a face frame, providing wider access and hidden hinges.
Finishes: Natural woods offer various finishes including stain, paint, and glazing, with distressing techniques like Rasping, Antiquing, and Rub-through. Laminate options are also available.
Sizes: Standard and custom sizes are available, with stock cabinets being more affordable and having shorter lead times.
Quality: Invest in sturdy cabinets with solid frames, doors, drawers, and reinforced corners, preferably with a plywood box rather than particleboard or fiberboard.
Exploring all available cabinet lines, including online options, ensures informed decision-making for a long-lasting kitchen investment.