Friday, August 24, 2012

Considerations With Custom Cabinets

Glass-fronted cabinets are a popular choice for busy kitchens.


Custom cabinets in your living room, kitchen, bathroom or work area are functional and beautiful pieces of furniture. You will need to make decisions regarding the appearance as well as the functionality of the pieces. When choosing a cabinet designer, be sure to choose one with a large supply of cabinets and options. Does this Spark an idea?


Cost


One of the major factors of choosing a cabinet is cost. When you are determining if you want to spend the extra money for custom cabinet work as opposed to ready-made cabinets, you should consider how long you plan to live in the home. If you plan to be there long-term, custom cabinets are well worth the investment to get the style and quality you want. However, if it is a starter home, ready-made will probably do fine.


Material


Another big consideration is the material for the cabinets, which would be linked to their cost. If you are planning to paint your cabinets, a more forgiving, low-quality wood is fine. However, if you plan to stain the cabinets, it is important to pick a high-quality wood such as oak. You can also find options such as bamboo and wheat board for environmentally friendly choices. The movement to use green materials in home-building is increasing their availability. You may also choose to reuse old material, such as reclaimed wood, to build your cabinets.


Organizational Structure


It is important to evaluate your current cabinet setup if you have one. Think about the features that you like about them, and what you would rather change. There are many types of cabinets that lend themselves to having an organized kitchen or workspace. Would you like a cabinet that is just a spice rack, a special size for cookie sheets or a lazy susan for pantry items? Special cabinet inserts are made to store almost every item in a kitchen. Look at what your cabinet manufacturer offers so you can match needs with options.


Countertops


Most cabinets that are not intended for use around water, such as an entertainment built-in or an office cabinet, will be given a simple wooden counter. However, cabinets in bathrooms and kitchens need a counter that is water-resistant and durable. Popular counters for kitchens and bathrooms are tile, slab granite, slab marble and soap stone, and concrete counters have become popular recently. All will affect the appearance and possibly the weight-bearing structure of a custom cabinet.







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