Selecting the perfect kitchen cabinetry for you new kitchen remodel can be a little overwhelming at times. Different types of wood, finishes, hardware, and manufacturer options can make the possibilities seem almost endless. In order to prevent sensory overload and just going with the next thing that comes across your field of vision, it helps to do a little prep work before hand.
Consider what you actually keep in your kitchen and how often you use what. How would a completely different arrangement of drawers and cupboards serve you better. Perhaps your pots, pans and Tupperware containers would be more organized and easier to get at if your lower cabinets contained over sized drawers. Do you have attractive dishes or glassware? Maybe a set of glass mullioned upper cabinets would show them off well and help reduce their tendency to collect clutter. Another thing to consider, would be those impractical corner cabinets. There are options to make them seem less like a small caves where your giant soup pot can get lost and eventually become a home for rodents. Look into blind corner cabinets with pull out shelving, or Susan cabinets. These bring your kitchen supplies to you and you no longer have to go spelunking in the darkness behind your stove or sink.
Once you have an idea of areas you want to change and how, you can begin to consider finish options. Do you like light woods or darker? If your kitchen is heavily used and must suffer from a constant barrage of kicks, scratches and dings, consider a natural finish. True a maple cabinet with a cherry glaze is lovely and elegant. But it becomes much less so when a three inch scratch shows the lighter wood under the finish. If a darker look is what you are after, consider darker woods and mild finishes. This will give you a unique and elegant look that is sure to draw attention.
Type of wood comes into play when considering finishes. Everything from Purple Heart-wood from South America, to common American Red Oak. Maple has a soft and delicate appearance which lends a muted calmness to an otherwise hectic kitchen. Cherry is the timeless representation of elegant kitchen design. Hickory on the other hand is fun and playful in it’s random appearance and coloring. You are guaranteed to have a distinct look that can be both rustic or modern with this versatile wood.
The style options don’t stop there. You have trim options, lighting options, cabinet face options and even hinge options. The crown molding can be simplistic for the minimalist approach, or it can be daintied up with scrolling and routered profiles. The cabinet faces can be chosen to match or compliment the casing and crown trim. Different versions can produce some very interesting effects.
So before you start digging into one particular idea. Play around with your kitchen layout. Consider your wants, needs and style preferences. One you have an idea of what kind of effect you would like to have, along with functionality, you will be able to look into the perfect selections for yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take you time. You will be living with your kitchen for quite a while, it’s best that you both love and are proud of it, and the choices you made for its construction.