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. C&S Kitchen
