The kitchen is the heart of any home, and nothing has a bigger impact on the appearance of the room than kitchen cabinets. Whether you’re selecting them for a new home or a remodel, you need to pay close attention to your choices. Consider all the various factors and options before making your final decision.
Existing cabinets may not need to be completely replaced. If they are functional and in good shape, there are several options you can consider. Dark cabinets can be removed and stained for a lighter finish. They can be painted to match or contrast with other features, such as wallpaper or tiles. New hardware can be installed to add interest to an otherwise bland wooden expansion.
You can change the look of the entire room by replacing the existing cabinet doors. You can go from simple to elegant by choosing doors with carved or scrollwork trim. Glass front doors make the room look brighter and more welcoming. They also allow you to see what’s inside at a glance, which many consider a benefit. If you don’t want the contents of your cabinets exposed in this way, there is still an option. Stained glass doors are beautiful and allow a little of the contents to be seen while hiding a lot.
Installing accessories can make your cabinets more functional. Pull-out drawers are especially nice for lower storage spaces. Turntables allow you to find what you need with just a revolution or two. Baskets consolidate small items into less space and keep them organized. Mug hooks can save space by keeping mugs off to the side instead of on the shelf. Wire baskets that fit under a shelf can help increase capacity and improve organization.
Some older homes may have metal cabinets in the kitchen. The options to renovate them are more limited than those made of wood. However, if you want to keep them, you can repaint them in any color you like. Most of them will also take texture. Decals can be applied, or you can use a stencil to paint designs, such as ivy, on them. Sometimes dents can be removed with one of the suction devices used to pull dents in cars.
If you’re building a home or replacing your cabinets, take time to think about what you like and don’t like about your current kitchen cabinets. They may be too dark for your taste. If so, consider an ash, light oak, or white wash finish. If you don’t like a plain front, select interesting hardware or a carved frame.
Regardless of the type of kitchen cabinets you have, proper care and maintenance is required. Wood cabinets should be treated like fine furniture and kept clean, moisturized, and polished. Steam in the kitchen can damage wood, especially if you’re in line to contact it directly. Heating ducts should also be adjusted so they don’t blow hot air onto the wood. If redirecting the vents is not possible, try placing a small bowl of water under the grill to add moisture. Glass should be cleaned regularly to prevent its shine from diminishing. Metal doors may need a little lubrication for the hinges from time to time, and care should be taken to avoid denting or scratching the hinges.