How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets for Your Remodel

To choose kitchen cabinets for your remodel, start by comparing custom, prefabricated, and semi-custom options against your available space and preferred style. Plan the storage you need, then narrow down the door profile, wood type, color, hardware, and under-cabinet lighting. Discuss cabinet fit and the overall kitchen layout with your remodeling contractor so appearance, storage, and everyday function are considered together.

A Guide on How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets form the backbone of the kitchen, and with so many designs, colors, and materials available, choosing the right style can be daunting. You may want a style that will continue to appeal to you rather than one chosen only for a passing trend. Cabinets are also among the first things people notice when they walk into your kitchen, so their design deserves careful consideration.

Here are the main choices to consider when selecting kitchen cabinets.

1. Are You Going with Custom or Prefabricated Cabinets?

Compare prefabricated, custom, and semi-custom cabinets based on how well each option suits your style and the available space. Custom cabinets can be tailored to those needs, but the cabinet type alone does not guarantee quality. Cabinets play an important role in the overall style of your kitchen, so consider each design element, from the layout to the color and finish.

Discuss fit with your remodeling contractor, including how cabinets will sit in their designated spaces if you want wall-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Semi-custom cabinetry offers another option between prefabricated and custom designs, with choices that can help tailor the cabinets to your style.

2. Maximize Storage Space

Kitchen storage deserves careful planning. You will need space for appliances, utensils, food, and other everyday items, so look for ways to make the most of the space available. For instance, cabinets with lift-up doors can help conceal commonly used small appliances, such as blenders and toasters, when they are not in use while preserving an uncluttered look.

Work with your kitchen designer to consider storage alongside flow and function. A kitchen design tailored to your needs can help you explore how these priorities fit together during a remodel.

3. Narrow Down Your Cabinet Door Styles

Cabinet doors are among the most visible elements in your kitchen. Deciding on a cabinet door style is a useful way to narrow your options and make the renovation project easier to plan.

When narrowing down your door style and profile, think about the overall look you want to create. You might prefer the simplicity of modern designs or the detail of vintage or traditional cabinet styles. Shaker-style kitchen cabinets offer clean lines and a classic look. Once you have chosen the door profile, you can consider how the cabinet boxes will fit into the overall design.

4. Know Your Wood Type and Color

Consider materials as well as appearance when selecting cabinet doors. Wood type is one factor in the durability and style of your cabinets; it should not be treated as a promise that a door will never chip. Cherry wood cabinets are an option for rich, dark finishes. Mahogany, bamboo, and Sapele offer other looks to consider for your kitchen.

Next comes choosing the color, which depends on your style and preferences. Some homeowners prefer the sleek look of modern kitchen cabinets in neutral or dark colors.

Others like a bit of color in their kitchen. Blue kitchen cabinets are another option to consider if that color works with your intended décor.

5. Don’t Forget About the Hardware

Think of cabinet hardware as the jewelry of your kitchen. It can add personality while merging function with appearance. Cabinet hardware includes hinges, knobs, handles, and cabinet pulls. These details are easy to overlook, but they contribute to the finished look.

From crystal, brass, and ornate knobs to antique bronze or copper drawer pulls, there are many finishing elements to consider. A designer can help you compare which options work with the rest of your cabinet design.

6. Consider Under-Cabinet Lighting Effects

Under-cabinet lighting can add a warm glow and help create a welcoming atmosphere. Consider how it will work alongside overhead lighting rather than relying on a single light source for the entire kitchen. If overhead lighting feels too harsh in your space, discuss how the lighting arrangement could support both the look and practical use of the kitchen.

Choose the Right General Contractor

Choosing the right contractor is an important part of undertaking a kitchen remodel. Look for relevant remodeling expertise and ask how applicable building-code requirements will be addressed. Discuss the contractor’s approach to project management, the proposed schedule, and how changes or delays will be communicated. These conversations can help set expectations, but they are not a guarantee of a particular completion date or outcome.