You don’t know how important the right size or placement of a cabinet is until you stumble around the kitchen or easily make a mess when reaching for utensils. Unfortunately, planning or designing the layout for each aspect, such as the cabinets, can seem daunting for many homeowners.
However, we promise it’s worth it. Even if working with an interior designer isn’t possible for you at the moment, take some time to research everything about cabinets. Assess every corner and space to designate your dream kitchen, which will make things easier later on.
For example, many underestimate the power of the kitchen work triangle, an interior design concept that addresses the primary tasks carried out in this room and the relationship between the sink, cooktop, and refrigerator. Thus, arranging these elements in a triangle will make cooking and moving around more efficient.
Therefore, kitchen cabinets are important, so here are some tips to remember before purchasing.
Measure the kitchen space
You should start analysing the problem from the root―the kitchen. Considering that every person has a different space for this room, meaning some have higher walls, while others are more extensive, you should plan the cabinet layout according to it.
For example, small rooms don’t seem to offer much opportunity for an aesthetic and organised kitchen. Still, you’ll find numerous kitchen units that match the size if you carefully craft a plan. Look for cabinets fit for corners or cabinets that pull out so you can take advantage of every available space.
Consider long-term usage
If you don’t plan on moving too soon, you should consider what your cabinets will hold over the years. For example, if your family might grow at some point, make sure to leave room for baby food makers, blenders, and additional utensils.
On the other hand, if you like to cook anything from scratch, it would be best to have designated kitchen cabinets where you can safely place heavy appliances and organise them without making a mess. There are many ideas for a kitchen garage you could approach.
Have functionality and accessible in mind
Kitchens are best when they help you with your daily chores and do not interfere with your lifestyle. That’s why cabinets are so important ―the way they’re designed will help you fit everything perfectly and never make a mess.
For example, you could opt for more expansive cabinets for upper and lower units so you can fit in more pans or trays or anything voluminous and both light and heavy. The rest of the cabinets, turned to the centre, are great for daily utensils and ingredients.
Don’t forget about the finish
While your focus should be accessibility, cute cabinets can brighten up your mood as soon as you enter the kitchen. While you could go straight for glossy cabinets, make sure the material and finish are made for the long term.
On the other hand, if you choose stained wood as you love classic cabinets more, avoid yellow or orange-stained cabinets as they can age poorly, so you’ll have to repaint them soon, especially if they’re exposed to sunlight.
Look into hardware
A cabinet’s look isn’t done until you choose the hardware or the drawer pulls and knobs for replacement kitchen doors. Luckily, there are plenty of designs on the market, so you can improve the cabinets considerably by getting gold-tone knobs, for example, if they’re made of wood.
Choose the door knobs according to your family and the size of the kitchen. Handleless cabinets are best for smaller kitchens, as well as small children because you maximise space and protect them from unwanted curiosity.
Invest for the long-term
While there are plenty of cabinets online, and you can easily change them, investing for the long term is ideal. Not only do you save money and time, but you are also increasing the value of your house, which can prove valuable at some point.
That’s why it might be best to ignore trends because they change fast. Look for long-lasting materials for your cabinets, such as solid wood (maple, oak, birch) or textured melamine. The finish is also important, so go for a stained cabinet look.
Adjust your budget
As mentioned, sometimes investing in long-term solutions is best. However, this often means adjusting your budget and allocating more money than agreed before on durable and qualitative materials. Therefore, while MDF is a cheaper option, it’s not always made for the long term.
Remember that kitchen cabinets are exposed to humidity and moisture, which can degrade their quality considerably. Grease, insects, or heavy use will also affect them, so choose solid and durable materials for the cabinets.
Approach frequent maintenance
At the same time, even if you do get qualitative cabinets, you should try pursuing maintenance. This means building habits of wiping them down frequently, cleaning them immediately from food splatters, and not allowing dust to accumulate.
Moreover, depending on their finish, kitchen cabinets might need some additional polishing.
Checking for fixtures and reparations will also ensure cabinets are long-term assets now, so always check them out.
Install storage systems
If you don’t want your cabinets to be full of junk, it’s best to look into storage systems that will help you organise utensils and products better. Racks and bins are standard options for homeowners but are also great for those with troubling landlords.
It’s also a good idea to get things out from time to time and rearrange them. You might find that some utensils are no longer useful, but you can donate them. Or, some appliances are no longer functional, and you can replace them with new ones.
Do you think these tips are helpful?
Choosing the best kitchen cabinets might seem easy, but it’s actually more complex than you think. To make use of every bit of space in your kitchen and improve your lifestyle, it would be best to make a detailed list of how the cabinets should be. Consider your kitchen room, your family size, and your daily habits before purchasing cabinets.