Kitchen Cabinets World

Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet for your Price Range

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:59:13 -0600

Kitchen Cabinets are the most important part of your kitchen,they set the tone of your kitchen,They can be highlighted by kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher and microwave, or these appliances can be modified to blend in by using panels that match your kitchen cabinets.

Shopping for kitchen cabinets may be an intimidating thing, especially for a first time buyer. There are hundreds of major kitchen cabinet companies, and many more smaller custom kitchen cabinet shops where you can get any cabinet made from any species of wood that your mind can imagine. Add to that list the explosion of RTA Kitchen Cabinet importers, and the laminated cabinet manufacturers, and suddenly the list can be overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that higher price always means high quality in construction, or more features being available.

kitchen cabinets are usually categorized by pricing. Traditionally, the higher-quality cabinets simply cost more money. As I mentioned before, with more and more importers conforming to the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) building standards, some of the RTA Kitchen Cabinets or Stock kitchen cabinets can actually be a sturdier cabinet than the traditional, made to order cabinets. Regardless of what type of kitchen cabinet you decide to go with, it does not take much effort to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the actual kitchen cabinets.

Some tips you must read for upgrading your cabinets

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:31:20 -0600

Familiarize yourself with the industry terms and lingo
The four most common terms you will hear when it comes to cabinets are rta (ready-to-assemble), stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets. Each one has it's advantages and drawbacks, so it really comes down to your budget and what you are looking for. Ready-to-Assemble and Stock cabinets are the most economical, have the shortest lead times, and are starting to add more and more accessories to their lines. Custom cabinets are going to be the most expensive and have the longest lead times, but there is no limit to the sizes or custom details they can create.

Choose the right style and finish for your kitchen
Light-colored woods, oak and maple make your kitchen seem brighter and larger which is ideal for small spaces or kitchens with very little light. Darker woods like cherry and mahogany create a more dramatic, furniturelike effect. Even with RTA cabinets or stock cabinets, you can still get the custom look by utilizing features such as turned leg pieces that mimic the look of furniture. Door trim kits for appliances can help tie a kitchen together visually, but always consult the appliance manufacturer to make sure they won't interfere with the units operation.

Discount Kitchen Cabinet Purchasing Tips

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:35:04 -0600

The main thing to closely examine when purchasing discount priced kitchen cabinets are:

Construction
Materials

Construction
Kitchen cabinets endure a lot of wear and tear over the years, so you definitely want to make sure that the construction of the cabinets is durable. Cheaply made cabinets will fall apart in less time than quality made cabinets. Here are a few things to check when browsing for discount priced kitchen cabinets.

Reinforced corners: The corners on the inside of the cabinets should be reinforced because they do bear a lot of weight. Reinforcements are generally "L" brackets made of hard plastic or metal.
Joints: Check how the joints of the drawers come together. Dovetailed joint construction lasts much longer than joints that are glued or screwed together.

Materials
Most of the kitchen cabinets offered at discount stores are going to be constructed of wood, particularly, maple, oak, cherry and pine. Cabinets that make the claim of "solid wood" construction are not necessarily made completely out of a particular species of wood. In fact, many companies will construct the cabinet "carcass" or box out of plywood, particle board or Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and lay a wood veneer on top. This type of construction if fine because it isn’t necessary to have kitchen cabinets constructed completely out of very expensive hardwood. The only warning here is to watch out for cabinets made of MDF and particle board. Word has it that both have the tendency to sag over time.

Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2008

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:54:13 -0600

Thinking of remodeling your kitchen, or simply adding some new touches to give your kitchen an up-to-date flair? New kitchen trends for 2008 focus on opening up the space of your kitchen, storing your appliances and accessories in unusual and visually striking ways.

1. Organization- To keep paperwork and projects from piling up, many companies specialize in home organization. Put your client's mind at ease with the upgraded additions of cabinetry dividers and custom storage solutions. With companies now specializing in after-market products, you can find a wide range of products that will customize any stock cabinets that you will find on the market.

2. Multiple Layers of Lighting- Accent lighting placed at various heights, under-cabinet lighting, interior cabinet lighting, and above cabinet lighting combine to create a warm ambiance. Task lighting adds drama and function, while dim accent lighting softens and soothes a room. Each layer of lighting serves a different purpose, which can enhance the room.

3. Compact & Efficient Appliances- One of hottest trends in 2008, is the incorporation of compact and efficient appliances. Horizontal dishwashers, French door wall ovens, two-tiered ranges, and power boil options on cooktops can ease the day-to-day cooking tasks, while maintaining the desired beauty and resourcefulness of your designs.

4. Expanded Color Palettes- Today's contemporary designs allow for vibrant splashes of color in the kitchen and bathroom. Through bright and bold colored backsplashes, countertops, appliances, and cabinetry inserts and overlays, homeowners can incorporate the newest and hottest colors into any design. A wide range of color is now being used to evoke emotion and set the tone for your next projects.

5. Green Design- With the alarming rise in gas prices and building materials, eco-friendly products are now a stable of any kitchen design. The kitchen and bath industry is at the forefront of green design with the development of new technologies and products, such as bamboo and recycled materials including glass, plastics, paper, and metals.

6. Tile Murals- One evolution in wall design for kitchens and baths is the hand-chiseled tile mural. Color, form, and design combine to create varied patterns ranging from modern graphics to soft floral patterns, traditional Chinese motifs to Moroccan style. A wide variety of patterns offers a look that's sure to suit any client's taste.

7. Integrated Electronics- By integrating wires, speakers, control panels, and flat-screen TVs directly into your design, you'll allow the surroundings of the room to flow seamlessly around any audio/video equipment that you may want. Planning ahead will allow you to conceal the wiring and give your kitchen a truely custom look.

8. Aging-in-Place- More and more manufacturers are catering to the aging "baby boomer" market. New products feature accessibility and ease of use to accommodate boomers through the years, while still offering stylish design. From dishwashers accessible from a wheelchair to cabinet drawers that open automatically, manufacturers are recognizing the importance of universal design.