The Key to Being a Smart Cabinet Shopper

If you’ve been looking into upgrading your kitchen cabinets, you already know what a big decision you’re about to make. Cabinets take up the bulk of the used space in your kitchen, and therefore have the power to make or break the look and feel of the area – and your budget, if you’re not careful. Fortunately, it’s easy to make a good cabinet selection when you work alongside the professionals and follow a few key tips:

 

Quality Comes First

It might be tempting to save a bit of cash when choosing your cabinets, but home design experts agree that your kitchen cabinets are not a place to focus on savings, and for good reason. Drawers and doors held together with staples, nails or cheap glue won’t hold up to the demands of your work in the kitchen over time. Ensure that the cabinets you’re looking at are built to last by checking the following points:

 

• Shelves are adjustable and are at least 5/8 inch thick
• Drawers can support around 75 pounds
• All surfaces – even the insides – are finished

 

Keep in mind, too, that though you don’t want cabinets made entirely of cheap particle board or plywood, these are not your enemies. Plywood cabinets that feature a wooden casing are typically just as reliable as solid wood cabinets, and tend to come at a cheaper price.

 

Custom or Knock-Down Cabinets?

Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question. The decision to buy premade or custom cabinet installations should rely entirely on your needs as a homeowner and your budget. Custom cabinets tend to have more unique looks and can be better fit to your space with the help of professionals, but are usually significantly more expensive. Knock-down cabinets, however, are much more affordable, but may not appear quite as lovely over the years. All in all, the best idea is to discuss your needs with your cabinet installation pros so they can walk you through the process of choosing the right type of cabinets.

 

By working alongside reliable professionals and educating yourself on the various materials and design options of kitchen cabinets, you can make the right selection and get the perfect kitchen in no time.