Kitchen Cabinets - What to Know When Upgrading

Kitchen cabinets are often one of the first targets for home remodeling. Here are some things you should know when looking to upgrade.

If you own your home, you're probably at least somewhat interested in what you can do to improve the decor and function of every room. While some homeowners jump headlong into project after project and some step back and only make upgrades when necessary, it must be said that the kitchen cabinets are a likely place to start for either group. It's not certain what draws potential remodelers to this particular feature more often than not, but it is nonetheless a common starting place. It's not a bad one, after all. Here are some things you should know when looking to upgrade.

Consider the Flow

Homeowners who weren't interior decorators in a past life tend to regard words like "flow" with a suspicious eye. It brings to mind hippy-dippy feng shui enthusiasts lighting incense sticks and moving from room to room appraising the furniture with an airy gait. But taking flow and decor into consideration when upgrading your kitchen cabinets is a very practical consideration. If everything in your house is laid out in muted browns and blacks, having kitchen cabinets that are bright yellow will look ridiculous. Most people know enough to create a kitchen that works internally, but don't neglect the decor in the rest of your house.

Find a Good Remodeler

While there's nothing inherently wrong with installing your own kitchen cabinets, think seriously about hiring someone for the job if you aren't inclined for carpentry. The job may be a bit more involved than you think. Many stores have their own installers who will come out and do the work for you as an extension of the purchase price. It's worth paying a little more to take advantage of this service. A professional can get done in a day what it might take you three weeks to do.

Materials

Be realistic about your budget when upgrading your kitchen cabinets. If you're choosing to remodel there first because you think it will be cheap, you should think about starting somewhere else. While you can certainly buy cheap materials made from cheap wood, you probably aren't going to be very satisfied with the outcome. And if what you're buying isn't going to be a significant upgrade from what you already have, then what's the point? That doesn't mean you have to go in search for the finest rare birch from a tiny island in the Pacific, but you should understand that when it comes to carpentry, you really do get what you pay for.

Article Tags: Kitchen Cabinets