7 Things to Keep in Mind Before You Begin your Kitchen Renovation

As you begin your research, you will come across many search results suggesting cabinet refinishing is the ideal solution. While there is some truth to this argument, this truly is not an option for every kitchen. It would be wise to choose replacing over refinishing if:

• Your current cabinets are low quality
• Your current cabinets are damaged beyond repair i.e.: water damage
• You are changing your current kitchen layout
• Your cabinet material is not suitable for refinishing i.e.: metal cabinets of the 30's to 50's era.

Before you select your cabinets, it is important to understand the three types of cabinets generally available: stock, semi-custom and custom.

Stock: These cabinets are usually massproduced and sold are most major retailers. These cabinets are generally the most affordable, take minimal time to deliver and may come pre-assembled. The downside to stock cabinets, however, is that they are only available in a limited range of materials, styles, and colours.

Semi-Custom: True to their name, semicustom cabinets allow you to have some freedom in your choice of size and colour. Semicustom usually starts as stock cabinets but with an option for the purchaser to adjust. Usually, you can purchase these cabinets and then select the dimensions, detail of handles, etc. This choice is more expensive than the standard custom cabinetry and may take up to 2 months for delivery.

Custom: Custom cabinets are built exactly to your selected specifications. You choose the colour, size, finish, and material of these cabinets. Those who choose this option often opt to add in a unique or one-of-a-kind feature such as a warming drawer or dishwasher-in-adrawer. This option is the most expensive, so be prepared to pay at least five times more than standard stock cabinets. You should also be prepared for the fact that custom cabinetry will take the longest to deliver. Remember, the benefit to custom cabinets, is that you get what you pay for and these will look exactly how you want them too.

Cabinets come in two styles: frameless and framed.

Frameless: This cabinet option is appropriate for those looking for a sleek, modern design. This option generally offers thicker materials and quick installation. Frameless cabinets, however, are generally more expensive with less material and style choices.

Framed: This type of cabinet has a supporting structure on the front, which frames the entire box. A Frameless cabinet does not have this outline. Framed cabinetry is the standard choice you will have seen in most kitchens. It is affordable, has many different style and material options and it can be hung on uneven walls. Framed cabinets are the popular choice for a kitchen minus two small drawbacks: long installation time and light weight material.

It is important to remember that your new cabinets should match the overall theme and style of your kitchen and home. Keep this in mind when you select flooring, paint, and additional upgrades. An excellent place to source interior design inspiration is online, Pinterest, magazines and show rooms. First, select the material you would like to work with. Options usually include, natural wood, stained wood, painted wood or laminate finishing. Once you have selected a material, you can focus on other touches such as handles and hinges. With so many options, you should be able to find what you want. If you are unable to source your exact design, remember that custom cabinets are always an option.

While there is nothing technically wrong about purchasing kitchen cabinetry online, it is always best to view the cabinets in person beforehand. In person, you can easily inspect aspects such as quality, smoothness, and other key features. You can also look carefully for details such as shelving density, hardware comfort and more. These details are easy to spot in person and remember, if your local showroom does not have the exact colour of cabinet you have selected, you can still view the quality of build before purchasing.