If you’re dreaming about a beautiful new kitchen to organize your life, showcase your style, and boost your property value, our team at Boca Cabinets can help. While kitchen cabinet remodels can be a more costly home renovation project, the key to saving money starts with understanding the process.
Boca Cabinets is here with tips for shopping for kitchen cabinets on a budget!
Make a Solid Plan
One of the biggest reasons a remodeling project can go wrong is the lack of a concrete plan to anchor project spending. It's easier than you might realize to spend more and more on the remodel as time passes.
The best approach is to determine exactly what you're willing to spend money on ahead of time and stick to that list.
Talk to Your Contractor About Your Budget
Once you've decided on a kitchen layout and set your budget, ask your contractor to work within that budget. They'll be able to recommend materials that help you stay within budget without sacrificing your overall kitchen remodeling goals.
Decide On a Kitchen Layout
A new kitchen layout can completely transform your kitchen, making your space far more usable. Although changing your kitchen layout can cost you significantly if it means moving your plumbing fixtures and pipes, there are ways to switch up your layout while working around what you've got.
One easy way to get a new layout without spending a fortune is to rearrange your new cabinets when installed. At Boca Cabinets, our kitchen design installation team can help you plan a layout that accomplishes your goals and makes the most of your space.
Even with the perfect shape, you still need the right dimensions, so when you're choosing your cabinets, three things are critical to ensure the right fit for your kitchen.
Custom Measurements
Customized and precise measurements are the only way to ensure no gaps between spaces and appliances. You need to measure the smallest components, including the floor, walls, and appliances.
Even the slightest miscalculation could mean gaps or pieces are too large to fit in the space, so always be thorough when taking measurements and double-check for accuracy.
Position the First Piece Carefully
When it comes to positioning, your first piece will create the layout for the rest. Always position it according to the floor's highest point; this will help you determine the height and help align the other pieces.
Think About Accessibility
Accessibility can make or break a kitchen space, and while it might not be your first concern, consider your needs moving forward. Having the right design can help your home be more efficient, so look at strategies including:
- Proper knee space for those using mobility devices.
- Custom or built-in shelving.
- Easy access to storage.
- Proper countertop height to reduce strain.
Here is a breakdown of some of the more common kitchen layouts for cabinet redesigns and how they fit into a home. If you want some help choosing colors, check out our blog for tips on choosing a cabinet color.
L-Shaped Kitchen Layout
L-shaped layouts are popular because they efficiently use the available space. In an L-shaped kitchen, cabinets line two walls to form a right angle.
The right angle of the "L" corner creates a useful working triangle that allows the person preparing food to easily shift around between appliances and food prep areas.
L-shaped layouts also work well with an open kitchen layout and make it easy to add a breakfast nook near your food prep space. However, if your kitchen is especially large, you should avoid the L-shaped layout as it can make everything feel too far apart for easy use.
U-Shaped Kitchen Layout
This layout is almost exactly like an L-shaped kitchen, but instead of two walls lined with cabinets, it features three. This layout works well for larger kitchens, especially when a large kitchen table or island is added in the center. And it's perfect for multiple projects or chefs working simultaneously.
The key to preventing the cabinets from dominating the space and making it feel too enclosed is to add pullouts and upper cabinets on only one or two of the walls, opting for shelving, windows, or other features on the additional wall or walls.
Peninsula Kitchen Layout
If you love the idea of a kitchen island and could use the extra counter and storage space, but you just don't have room for it, consider a peninsula layout.
A peninsula kitchen is similar to an island, but it makes use of cabinets to create an extended counter "peninsula" that works as a food prep space, table, or snack counter. And it's a perfect way to connect with your family while you prepare a meal.
Explore Kitchen Countertop Materials
Kitchen countertop materials can dramatically impact the overall price tag of your cabinets. Here is a breakdown of some common kitchen countertop materials to give you a sense of how they can impact your project costs.
Marble Countertops
Marble countertops look absolutely stunning and elegant. However, they are widely considered one of the highest-priced counter materials available.
Due to its hefty price tag, marble is often used only in small areas. It makes an excellent surface for baking, but it's also extremely porous, making it more vulnerable to damage.
Granite Countertops
Granite counters are another high-end kitchen countertop material. Available in literally thousands of colors and considered a luxury item, granite is incredibly durable and easy to maintain.
Granite is regarded as a high-ticket item but slightly more affordable compared to marble.
Stainless Steel Countertops
If you're looking for a durable, modern, and industrial look with the feel of a professional kitchen, stainless steel counters are a solid choice. Stainless steel is extremely easy to clean and highly resistant to any damage.
Stainless countertops are about the same cost as marble, depending on the gauge; The lower the gauge, the thicker and more expensive the steel.
Laminate Counters
Throughout most of the 20th century, laminate countertops were fairly ubiquitous in residential kitchens due to their affordability, ease of maintenance, and design versatility.
After a few decades of waning popularity, laminates are seeing a resurgence in demand, and today's laminates look better than ever.
Butcher Block Counters
Wood countertops are attractive, long-lasting, affordable, and easy to maintain. Although the surface can become stained or damaged by knives and cookware, it can be sanded and resealed fairly easily.
Wood counters are also available in many different stains and types of wood.
Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
While assessing your cabinetry and creating a design you love, consider the type of hardware you will add. There are so many options available; a few tips for choosing the right components our experts recommend include:
Pick Between Knobs or Pulls
Pulls are long handles that are easy to grasp and generally mounted in the cabinet's center. They're also typically larger and easier to use, which makes them great for busy kitchen areas.
Knobs, on the other hand, have a smaller design and can be opened with one or two fingers, and they're also generally more affordable and easier to install.
Choose Your Style
Style is everything, and you want the hardware to match the theme of your kitchen. Whether you're looking for an eclectic and dramatic flare or a simple and minimalist approach, there are many options to choose from, so identify your style and choose accordingly.
Consider the Cohesiveness
Most homeowners want the same finish throughout their kitchen, ensuring their hardware matches the cabinetry fully. Once you've narrowed down the dimensions and the type of cabinets you want, consider working with the professional design team to help you pick hardware that ties the space together.
Design Your Affordable Kitchen Cabinets
Are you ready to plan your beautiful new kitchen? The spring season is a perfect time to start! Call Boca Cabinets for your free kitchen cabinet design consultation, or stop by to check out our showroom.
To connect with a member of our team, give us a call at 773-886-4686 or use our contact page.