Kitchen cabinets are the largest feature in your kitchen, so they're the first thing people see when they walk into the room. The money you spend on new cabinets is a smart investment that will increase the value of your home. Here are some ideas when you design your kitchen cabinets.
Planning
Understand how you and your family really use the space. Some families spend most of their dining and casual time in their kitchen while other families may just eat meals at the kitchen table and use the family room for social gatherings. By evaluating your use of the space, you will get a better idea of how to plan the layout to make the most of the space.
Tips: When you're designing or renovating a kitchen, make it a priority to put a window over the sink. It vastly improves your outlook on washing dishes.
An island provides a central spot to work and eat. To be most useful, an island must be at least 4 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide; clearance of at least 3 feet all around is essential.
Function
One thing need to be considered when looking to update your cabinets is their functionality. Do you need more cabinet space? Do you need pull-out shelves, lazy susans, glass doors or other special features in your cabinets that make the things you store there easier to find and more accessible? Do you need specialized cabinet space for things like spices, gourmet cookware or other items? Look at your life, your habits, your needs and desires and make sure the design of your cabinets is serving those.
Style
Today's kitchens come in a wide variety of styles. Most kitchen cabinet styles can be classified as either modern or traditional. Be aware to contradict the style of your home when choosing a kitchen style. If you have an Old World or Craftsman home, by all means do not install a modern or contemporary kitchen.
Color
The color of your kitchen cabinets is what sets the tone for the room. It is typically the most predominant color of the room, which makes it the most important color to get right.
A medium to light tone for a small space, and a dark to medium tone for a large space is probably the safest bet for your cabinets. In additional, if you have a kitchen with poor lighting, be sure to lean toward lighter cabinetry.
You should probably match your cabinet color to the other wood in the home. Matching the other wood will give your home a more cohesive and planned out feeling. If you just can't stick with the same tone throughout the house, at least try to pick a tone that will contrast the other wood well.