Picking custom cabinets that are just right for your kitchen can seem daunting. There are so many options, after all! We hope the tips here will make your task a little less overwhelming.
Upper and Lower
In modern kitchens, it’s becoming increasingly commonplace for upper cabinets to assume a more decorative role, while the lower cabinets do most of the heavy-duty storage. Pull-out drawers are becoming increasingly popular for lower custom cabinets, instead of swing doors. In fact, some homeowners have partly or completely phased out upper cabinets in favor of open shelving.
Framed or Frameless
Framed cabinets are more common in traditional kitchens. In framed construction, the door is surrounded by a wooden frame and the hinges are clearly visible. Frameless cabinets give the kitchen a sleeker, more modern look. In the frameless version, the door affixes directly to the cabinet and no hinge is visible. This choice will not only affect the overall look of the kitchen, but the kind of hardware you’ll be using and maintaining.
Lighting
Installing cabinets and kitchen lighting should be treated as part of the same process. Lighting will affect how the cabinets look and how well they can be used, and the choice of cabinets will affect the diffusion of light in the kitchen. One option that has become increasingly popular is integrated lighting. This is lighting built directly into the structures of the cabinets, such as automatic lights that turn on as soon as you open a drawer to LED lights mounted under cabinets.
Cost
It is always tempting to add and accessorize when installing custom cabinets, but most homeowners are working within a relatively strict budget. Countertop compartments and pull-out garbage cans would add ease and convenience to your kitchen, but remember, the cost of a pull-out drawer alone can up your costs by as much as 20%.
