The kitchen of your dreams. You know exactly how it looks from the shiny, tiled floors to the stretching cabinets that reach the ceiling. As you plan out your dream kitchen, you’ll want to find the right cabinets that reach your standards, too!
On average, remodeling a kitchen can cost between $12,907 and $35,484. Knowing what you want ahead of time can help you save money and avoid the typical stresses of remodeling.
Buying kitchen cabinets to complete your dream kitchen? Look no further! In this guide, we’ll cover the seven key things you need to consider before making a purchase.
After reading this guide, you can find the kitchen of your dreams without stressing over it.
1. Durability
One of the first things to consider when buying kitchen cabinets is their durability.
Imagine snapping a cabinet door shut, only for the wood to crack! What a waste. Instead, you’ll want a kitchen cabinet that can withstand nearly anything you throw at it.
Determine the type of material you want for your kitchen cabinets. Check for cabinet materials that are certified after withstanding rigorous testing. That certification can give you the confidence and peace of mind your new cabinets will withstand anything.
You’ll want your kitchen cabinets to survive steamy heat that rises from the oven or a possible leaky faucet. Otherwise, moisture can cause the wood to expand, fade, and/or flake.
Check for materials that resist expansion caused by humidity and temperature fluctuations. Durable materials will ensure your kitchen cabinets last a lifetime. Otherwise, you might find yourself buying kitchen cabinets sooner than anticipated in the near future.
2. Assembly
Buying kitchen cabinets from Ikea means you’ll need to assemble them on your own. If you’re good with your hands and feel up to the challenge, that’s your choice. However, many homeowners prefer to save time and effort by finding fully-assembled kitchen cabinets instead.
Imagine the convenience of requesting a fully-assembled cabinet, boxed and shipped to your door.
Factory construction also means the materials are joined using industrial techniques. In other words, you won’t have to worry about your cabinets falling apart.
You won’t have to squint at strangely shaped screws or try to translate confusing, complicated instructions, either!
If you assemble the cabinets on your own, there’s always the risk of error. You might not realize there’s a problem until the kitchen cabinets are already installed. This can leave you stressed out even long after your kitchen remodeling is complete.
Instead, look for cabinets that are ready-to-install. As the homeowner, you can install them yourself or ask a contractor for help. Either way, the convenience is on your side.
3. Long-Lasting Frames
The furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing industry will amount to $44.2 billion by 2022. Since your kitchen upgrade is continuing to this trend, you’ll want to make sure you’re putting your money in the right place.
Many people forget to check the cabinet’s frames. Long-lasting cabinet frames can offer your cabinets stability for years to come.
Often, professional installers will charge more to install frameless cabinets because it’s so time-consuming.
If you’re choosing a frameless cabinet, make sure the install area is perfectly level. That includes checking the floors and walls to make sure they’re uneven.
Frameless cabinets lack a frame at the front of the cabinet box. Kitchen cabinets with a solid hardwood frame, on the other hand, come in a unique array of patterns and textures to choose from. Hardwood is an excellent choice if you’re looking for durable, easy to repair cabinets.
4. Stable Cabinet Boxes
For a quality cabinet box, you’ll need to check the brace construction. Captured, integrated braces will increase the cabinet’s stability. As a result, you can rely on these cabinets for long-term strength.
Plus, they’re easy to move into position as you’re installing them.
Gussets, however, add no strength or structural integrity to your kitchen cabinets.
5. Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
The material makes all the difference. When buying kitchen cabinets, consider the interior surfaces. Non-porous surfaces are easier to clean. However, you’ll also want to make sure the interior is tough enough to last.
Otherwise, you might notice staining, wear and tear, or bubbling in time.
Some homeowners choose between melamine and laminate. While similar materials, they’re actually quite different. Both are great for creating a high moisture-resistant environment.
Most melamine and laminate interiors are the color of light-tone wood grains. Make sure to explore a few options to make sure the wood matches your kitchen’s overall design.
Melamine is resistant to fire, stains, and water damage. It’s also easy to clean with strong solutions. Also easy to clean, laminate is great if you’re looking for brighter interiors.
Stained veneer interiors, on the other hand, absorb moisture and accidental stains. This texture won’t handle cleaning solutions either. If you’re worried about humidity, food particles, or cooking fumes, it’s best to avoid stained veneer.
6. Back Panels
A durable back panel at full-height can add strength to your kitchen cabinets, too. The full-back panel will make it easier to attach the cabinet directly to the wall.
You can also choose an alternate cabinet back, which uses metal, rails, and picture-frame panels.
However, the full-height back panels can provide better stability for your kitchen cabinets. If, during installation, you need to cut around plumbing or electric cables, modifying the full-back is easier.
7. Soft-Close Hinges
Soft-close hinges can withstand heavy weights and thousands of open/close cycles. Check to see if your new cabinets also offer a lifetime warranty. If there’s an issue with the hinges, you can always call for help.
Otherwise, your doors may not close as quietly as you’d like. Instead, they might become an annoyance in an already rowdy kitchen.
Cooking Up Your Dream Kitchen: Seven Key Things to Consider When Buying Kitchen Cabinets
Buying kitchen cabinets? Make sure to double-check this list before making a purchase. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can find the cabinets to complete your beautiful dream kitchen at home!
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