Guide to Designing, Ordering and Replacing Your New Kitchen Cabinets
Posted on | July 20, 2009 | 3 Comments
A house is a place where individuals and families coexist together. The kitchen is where activities bring families together. Home buyers typically look at kitchens and bathrooms cabinetry when making a decision on which place to buy because they understand the expense involved in renovating either of them. Updated appliances and kitchen cabinets will increase the value of the house by thousands of dollars and the return on investment will be great. The role of kitchen cabinets is to keep dishes, glasses, cooking utensils, canned foods and other items stored in their proper place. They assist in maximizing counter space and serve as safe storage area for breakable items. Cabinetry makes up a high percentage of a kitchen and has a large visual impact in the space. Designing, ordering and replacing your new kitchen cabinets does not have to be a difficult task and can actually be quite fun.
The first step is designing the cabinetry you would like to see in your kitchen. If you are experienced in the field, you can buy and install your own cabinetry software on your computer to assist in designing the cabinetry. There is a nice program called 20/20 that offers three-dimensional views of the kitchen with the potential cabinetry installed. If you are inexperienced in the field, it would be smart to hire someone who is experienced to assist in the technical specifications of designing the cabinets.
There are several aspects to consider when choosing kitchen cabinets. Consider the species of wood and grain you would like to see. The varnish or color stain will make a large visual impact on the cabinets. The style of the cabinet doors will help in defining the overall style you are looking to achieve. For example, if you are headed towards an arts and crafts style, you do not want to a door style that depicts renaissance style with lots of detail in the doors and panels. Frameless wood cabinets is also a good option to consider because it gives the appearance of a clean and contemporary style. The majority of kitchen cabinets are custom ordered in one aspect or another. The layout, type of wood doors style and finish options are usually combined in some way or another to create a custom cabinetry order. You may want to consider new kitchen countertops during this process as well. The cabinetry dealer will most likely carry a variety of countertops and they can usually be installed at the same time as the cabinets.
Once the layout and detailed specifications are drawn out, it is time to place the order. Finding a cabinetry dealer in your area is the first step in getting your order placed. Try to find a dealer who retails multiple brands of cabinetry to ensure you are able to find the brand that fits your budget without compromising your custom cabinets specifications. Once the order is placed, it typically will take six to eight weeks for delivery. The dealer will call once a specific delivery date has been given to them by the manufacturer. If you’re in the market for bathroom cabinets, this is an ideal time to ask if any discounts would be offered since you are purchasing a full set of kitchen cabinets. Do not forget to ask about warranties and what is included in them.
The last step is having the cabinetry installed in your kitchen. Search through your local yellow pages to find a contractor or ask the dealer where you ordered the cabinets for any recommendations. It is a good idea to be on site when the installation is taking place to be sure everything goes as planned with no complications. The installers will typically clean up after themselves.
After the installation is complete, you are ready to enjoy your new kitchen. Your new kitchen cabinets will reflect your personality and be functional in organizing your space.