Updating or modifying elements in your kitchen can have a huge impact on your home’s overall resale value. Installing custom cabinets that are functional and aesthetic is widely considered an upgrade that enhances its scope for a profitable resale.
Given the plethora of cabinet options available today, it is natural to feel overwhelmed by the choices. Whether you’re planning to replace your old kitchen cabinetry with custom ones or simply add more storage space, you’re bound to feel confused when making buying decisions.
As you can see, getting the right kitchen cabinets isn’t easy. The last thing a homeowner wants is to go wrong after making a huge investment. Knowing about some of the common mistakes homeowners tend to make can help you steer clear of them and make sound decisions.
There’s no denying that custom cabinets can take your kitchen’s look to a whole new level. But many things can go wrong when installing them. Mentioned ahead are few such mistakes.
1. Going for the Wrong Layout
The kitchen is one area of the house that demands a high level of functionality. Ensuring this aspect is possible only if you get the cabinet layout right.
Even the most stylish cabinets may turn out to be the wrong fit for your specific kitchen. Cabinetry with incorrectly positioned drawers and doors will not only be inconvenient to use, they will also look unattractive.
It is always a good idea to get a custom cabinet layout designed by a professional. Only they will know how to make optimal use of the space, while delivering appealing results. You can rest assured that well-designed cabinets and shelving will meet all your kitchen needs.
All in all, positioning all the cabinet drawers and doors correctly is super important if you want to maximize efficiency and functionality in your kitchen.
2. Messed up Color Choices
Cabinets are an important part of your kitchen and often dominate the overall aesthetic of this space. Whether you want to add a modern or a traditional touch to your kitchen, your cabinets’ color can play a huge role in helping you achieve your goal.
You should bear in mind that the color of your kitchen cabinets should match the color of the walls and floor. When colors clash instead of complement each other, your kitchen will appear unaesthetic. The bright colors, on the other hand, will energize you when working in your kitchen.
If you’re not sure about the colors for your cabinets, go with neutral shades as they’re timeless and never look outdated. You can also consult a kitchen cabinet professional to know about the right colors that match your walls and floor.
3. Not Taking Advantage of Vertical Space
Homeowners often don’t bring their kitchen cabinets up to the ceiling, leaving the top space unused. So, when having your custom cabinets designed, don’t forget to consider the height of your kitchen. The vertical spaces offer immense scope for installing storage solutions.
In small kitchens especially, every bit of the available space is precious. Hence, it is imperative to consider the height and create vertical storage areas between the wall units and the ceiling.
Installing custom cabinets at a height to create vertical storage solutions will allow you to optimize your kitchen space while enabling you to store all your kitchen utensils and accessories.
4. Choosing the Wrong Construction Method
Depending on whether you go for framed or frameless cabinetry, you will have to take the construction method into consideration. For those wondering what we’re talking about, framed cabinets are built with the doors attached to the frame. They are commonly found in traditional kitchens. This type of construction lends more strength and durability to the cabinets.
Frameless cabinets are a contemporary design option, commonly found in modern kitchens. The construction of these cabinets is simple. They don’t have a face frame, but come with a thicker box for durability and stability.
Combining framed and frameless cabinets is never recommended as the final result can look botched. You should choose your cabinets based on the available space and the look you want to impart in your kitchen. Framed cabinets are great if you want a traditional look and have lots of cabinet space, while frameless cabinets are best for smaller kitchens that demand a modern look.
5. Skimping on Quality
Of course, your budget is a huge consideration when it comes to making spending decisions. However, that should not be the only factor you consider.
A lot of homeowners go for cheaper cabinets to minimize their expenses. But, this can prove to be a blunder as the quality and durability of cabinets may be compromised.
The material used to build the cabinets is an important concern if you want them to be functional and long-lasting. Avoid cabinets made from poor-quality materials to maintain their structure for longer.
While going for sturdy materials will cost a tad more, the expenses will pay off in the long term. It is best to avoid cheap materials like chipboard and opt for solid wood cabinets instead to combine resilience and aesthetics.
6. Lack of Planning
Creating a functional and appealing kitchen through custom cabinets takes a lot of advanced planning. In fact, proper planning is crucial to achieving the desired result.
Several factors need to be taken into consideration in the planning stage to avoid potential overlooks. One of the most commonly unheeded aspects is the electrical wiring and plumbing in the kitchen.
The improper mapping of your kitchen cabinet arrangement will leave minimal to no place for your kitchen appliances, lighting, and plumbing. Only identifying suitable locations for your kitchen appliances and cabinets in advance will hold you in good stead.
Conclusion
It is often said that the kitchen is the heart of every home. Any change you make in this zone is bound to have an impact on your day-to-day convenience, your home’s overall look and feel, as well as its resale value. Installing new or additional kitchen cabinetry can, therefore, be intimidating. Of course, the primary function of the kitchen is preparing meals, which is why it needs to be highly functional. Well-designed and properly-positioned cabinets can go a long way in ensuring this. But choosing the right cabinets can be tricky. Hopefully, this post will help you avoid some of the biggest and commonly-made kitchen cabinet mistakes while enabling you to make the most of the available space without cluttering it.
