Kitchen Cabinets - The Backbone Of Your Kitchen That Come In A Wide Range Of Sizes, Materials And Finishes

 Cabinets are the backbone of any kitchen, providing essential storage and workspace. The basic types are wall, or upper cabinets; and base cabinets. They come in a wide range of sizes, materials and finishes, and can be custom-designed for specific spaces. While it's possible to find a stock cabinet at a big-box store or home improvement center, the best selection—and usually the lowest prices—are found at a kitchen showroom or by working with a local cabinetmaker.

Available At Big Box Stores Or Home Improvement Centers

Kitchen Cabinets can be made of wood, wood-based products, particle board or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Solid oak and cherry are the premium choices, but even they are becoming rarer, expensive and harder to find. More often, cabinet boxes are made from plywood or melamine—a pressed wood surface covered with vinyl that resists chipping and is relatively easy to clean.

Wall cabinets are generally 12" to 24" deep. Some, such as those designed to go above a refrigerator, are deeper so the door lines up with the front of the appliance. Upper cabinets can also be installed in the corners of a room and have narrower depths, such as 10" or 15". Tall cabinets serve as pantry storage and are 84" to 96" high. A variety of special-use storage units can be added to the cabinets, such as rolling shelves or lazy susans.

Solid Oak/Cherry Are Premium Choices

The most common kitchen cabinet finishes are white, almond and maple, though a growing number of homeowners choose dark stains and painted colors like navy, forest green or matte black. The darkest stains require refinishing more frequently than lighter finishes, but provide the most dramatic style statement.

Most Kitchen Cabinets have some sort of interior organization system to increase storage capacity and make finding items easier. Shelves are the most common, but they can be enhanced with dividers to create more space for large or bulky items, or baskets to group small items together. Other organizers include a "lazy susan"—a rotating shelf that makes it easy to browse lower cabinets—and pull-out bins for pots and pans.

Dark Stains & Painted Colors Also Popular 

Even if you have a general idea of the layout you want, it's best to work with a showroom's in-house designer. They use the cabinet companies' software, which has exact dimensions and models, and they have the experience to foresee and resolve potential fit or installation problems. 

A good designer can save you money and headaches, especially if you're buying a complete set of new cabinets. If you buy cabinets without a designer, carefully inspect the box construction and door fronts to be sure they are of quality and the wood is not cheap, low-grade wood. Look for square, well-fitting joints and a sturdy finish. 

Conclusion:

Avoid shoddy workmanship: Out-of-square carcasses, crooked door frames and delaminating veneers that will only get worse over time. These issues are difficult to repair, so don't settle for mediocre quality. Instead, shop around and find a designer you can trust. You'll be glad you did. A little inspection can pay off in a lifetime of trouble-free kitchen cabinets.