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By Bianca Bartegi
Kitchen cabinets are a big expense, but make the most
difference in the look of your home. There are a wide variety
of styles, designs and materials available in new cabinets and
cabinet doors. Visit home improvement stores for ideas. Many
offer computerized images of your kitchen with the new
cabinets.
Before shopping, it’s important to take accurate measurements.
This saves time and helps with planning. Be sure to measure
the
appliance areas to get a more accurate picture of the cost and
how your kitchen will look.
Most home improvement stores will send a representative to
your
home to double check your measurements before your new kitchen
is ordered. This will ensure accurate measurements and you
will
be sure your new cabinets will fit perfectly.
Kitchen Cabinet Options
Stock cabinets come in standard sizes. A few styles and color
options are available, but are more limited than either semi
custom or custom cabinetry. Most consist of basic cabinet and
drawer styles. Stock cabinets are often used in new
construction and are the least expensive alternative.
Semi custom cabinets come in standard sizes, but you have more
options in terms of style, designs and storage choices. There
are more color and wood varieties available. These are more
expensive than stock cabinets, but are generally higher
quality.
There are many different storage options available in semi
custom cabinets. Take some time to look at these before making
a decision. A lazy Susan, wine rack, pull out garbage cans,
vertical dividers for storing trays and pull out shelves make
storing and organizing the kitchen much easier. Consider your
lifestyle and the storage issues that are most pressing when
making a choice.
Custom cabinets are the most expensive alternative. These are
made just for your kitchen. You can have any style, size or
design you want in a custom job. But you will pay for it. The
quality of the wood and fit is often better than with either
stock or semi custom. A designer will come to your home, take
measurements and work with you to find the right design for
your home.
Setting a Budget for Kitchen Cabinets
Before you buy, you will need to set a budget. Decide how much
you can afford and what you are willing to spend on new
cabinets. Prices among stock, semi custom and custom cabinets
vary widely. The rule of thumb is that new cabinetry will make
up about half the budget of your new kitchen.
Consider how long you will stay in your home when deciding on
a
budget. If you plan on moving in the next year or two, you may
want to spend less. If you plan to stay for many years to
come,
you may want to go all out for the custom kitchen.
Don’t sacrifice quality in an effort to save money. You still
want decent quality cabinets in your home. Try the cabinets in
the showroom. Open the doors and drawers to be sure they
operate smoothly. There should be no squeaks or rough
movements. Look for solid construction that will last for
years.
About The Author: Bianca Bartegi reveals many articles for the
www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com internetsite. The
publisher is also focusing on tips about kitchen cabinets (
www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/ ) .
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