Posted by Bob Wiedenmann on Wed, Dec 07, 2011 @ 10:30 AM
Whenever we elect a new President in this country, one of his first post-inaugural priorities is to make decisions about his cabinet. But Presidents aren’t the only people faced with important cabinet decisions. If you’re building a new home in Connecticut you’ll be facing some important cabinet decisions of your own. And while your decisions may not influence the political landscape it’s likely that you’ll have to live with your decisions longer than four years.
The cabinets you install in your kitchen will very likely be the single biggest expense you’ll incur in what may be the most expensive room of your home. But aside from the cost, your kitchen cabinets are also one of the most critical design elements in your kitchen. They impact the ambience and functionality of your kitchen dramatically, so you’ll want to give this area of your new custom home extra attention.
It’s easy to get fixated on colors and finishes and what kind of hardware to use in your kitchen. Those things are important, but first you should take a look at how you want your kitchen to function. You really want to design your kitchen around the way you work. What will you be doing in the kitchen? Is it a “working” kitchen? Will you be doing gourmet cooking? Will it be the entertainment/social center for your home? Will it be a place where kids do homework? Those things all play a role in how you will want to lay out your kitchen. Islands are extremely popular in kitchens, but will an island fit your kitchen’s workflow? Just because something looks good in a magazine, doesn’t necessarily make it the right choice for you.
Many designers begin their kitchen designs with a “work triangle.” That’s the area from the refrigerator to the main cooking area to the main sink. This is where most of the cooking, preparation, and cleanup activity in your kitchen will take place. It makes sense to design your kitchen (and cabinets) around this space.
Once you’ve looked at functionality, you’ll want to think about what level of cabinet quality is right for you.
Stock cabinets are the most affordable option and come in standard sizes and configurations. These cabinets are generally readily available. While they are less expensive, your options for customization will be somewhat limited.
Semi-custom cabinets offer you more flexibility in terms of sizes and styles from which to choose. These cabinets are built after your order is placed. They cost more than stock cabinets and may take longer to deliver.
Custom cabinets are handmade to fit virtually any standard you require. These cabinets are your most expensive option, but with that expense comes an increased number of options with regard to size, shape, and material.
After you’ve decided on the style, the type, the number, and the placement of your cabinets, you can choose the hardware and the countertops want to finish off the cabinets. And countertops are a whole topic unto themselves!
What are your biggest questions or concerns when it comes to choosing your kitchen cabinets?
