By now, having lived with a set of cabinets in your kitchen, you will know what you wish you had--more space for coffee mugs, a way to show off your stored china, greater depth for serving platters and large dishes, a special design for spices, etc...Designers will say all sorts of things about revamping your kitchen cabinets from making them the same size to whether or not to install glass. You should update your kitchen cabinets to suit your needs; make them as functional for your use as possible.
True--you want your cabinets to look stylish, but this can be a secondary concern. When thinking about cabinets for your kitchen, consider how you use your kitchen. Do you wish you have a glass cabinet next to the refrigerator? Do you need a cabinet installed with a lift for your heavy mixer? Do you need a more shelves within the cabinet? Perhaps you could do with a floor to ceiling cabinet to serve as a pantry? Whatever your needs, consider these before anything else--you can then design to suit them.
Decorative Shelves
Once you know where you want your cabinets as well as how deep, how many shelves, which ones require special features like lifts of lazy Susans, you can consider materials and style. Wood cabinets are used in kitchens for their warmth and durability. Of course, there are many wood choices to consider. If you want painted cabinets, it will not be necessary to purchase mahogany, for instance, but you will want wood with as few knots as possible to make for an easy paint job; it need not be an expensive choice--just a durable one. Plywood is a more affordable option and a good choice if you plan to paint or decorate in some other way.
Consulting a carpenter may be necessary if you plan to install cabinet doors with glass panels. Many designers preach against glass because it shows untidy cabinets. However, if you are organized and want to show off your lovely dishes or china, glass paneled doors are a beautiful option. Additionally, glass doors will allow you to show off the interior of your cabinet walls--you may want to wall paper them or employ a decorative design. Simply painting the insides a light color such as ivory will provide a light and airy style that unglassed cabinets cannot provide.
Speaking of light, you may want to install lighting features within some special cabinets--the one that shows off wedding china for example or your floral teacup collection. Be sure to fit your cabinets with other useful features like hooks for hanging mugs and handled cups, for example.
If you cannot install brand new cabinetry, there is nothing wrong with updating what you already have. Again, paint gives cabinets a fresh start. Whether a single color or a decorative combination of colors and techniques, painted cabinets are a happy alternative to wood grain. You may even want to consider a decoupage arrangement of fruit, flowers, vintage adds, etc...Additionally, resurfacing existing cabinetry is like a facelift giving your cabinets a fresh look. Many different veneer styles are available at local home improvement centers.
Finally, give your choice of cabinet hardware careful thought. There is a vast array of choices available--anything from porcelain knobs to pewter handles, wood grips to glass pulls. These, too, can help revamp the look of your cabinetry and make for an excellent update. Be sure you like the feel of them, because you'll be using them on a daily basis, and just like the cabinets, they need to function for you and your family.
For more cabinetry ideas, check online or at local home centers to see what styles might work for you.
Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd