The starting point for every kitchen is its cabinetry.
Remodeling a kitchen is one of the biggest and most exciting projects a homeowner can undertake. The choices and decisions may seem endless, but the possibilities and the payoff are immense. Your family will love cooking and eating together in a new space. And best of all, kitchen remodeling offers one of the highest return-on-investment results of any home improvement project. Start your kitchen-renovation planning with this buying guide to get an idea of what choices await you.
Kitchen Cabinets
The starting point for every kitchen, the bone structure of the room, is its cabinetry. Kitchen cabinets can be arranged to meet specific needs, whether you're a wine collector, a pastry chef or a family of nine. Numerous of specialty cabinets and accessories are available to fit your specific situation.
The first decision to make about cabinetry is which type will work best for you. Kitchen cabinets are available in three levels of specialization and price:
Stock cabinets come in standard sizes and shapes, and are usually available to take home from the store the same day or just a few days later. Sizes and styles are limited with stock cabinetry, but the price is right for remodelers on a budget.
Semi-custom cabinets are built after your order is placed, so you can choose from certain sizes and styles. That flexibility makes it easier to design a kitchen that fits your particular requirements. Semi-custom cabinetry usually requires a longer lead time for delivery than stock. They are more expensive than stock cabinets.
Custom cabinets are made by hand to fit almost any standard you require. An odd-sized or irregular-shaped space in your kitchen might not accommodate a stock or semi-custom piece, but a custom cabinetmaker starting from scratch can build nearly anything you need. Custom cabinets are the most expensive of the three types; the exact price varies widely because of size, materials and options. The time it takes to receive a custom-cabinet order depends on the cabinetmaker's schedule.
Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet hardware provides the visual punch to dress up the look of the kitchen after you've chosen your new cabinets. The hardware is stylish and functional, and it's easy to find something to match your desired look. You can choose everything from the finish of the hardware to the style that suits you best.
Some cabinet hardware is made specifically to work with the principles of universal design, which aims to make living and working spaces more accessible to people with limited physical abilities.
Countertops
Once you make all the cabinetry decisions, select a countertop to complete the look of your kitchen. Countertops are available in various materials and price ranges, and the best configuration for your kitchen may involve more than one type of countertop material.
Read more about Kitchen Countertops.
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