How to Start New Kitchen Cabinets
- 1). Sketch your kitchen space using graph paper. Use one inch on the sketch to represent six inches of real space (or use any other scale that is convenient). Draw the cabinets from a bird's eye view looking down from above. Create a graph representation of each wall as well. Draw all wall cabinets and base cabinets. Start with rough sketches only. Create your ideal kitchen cabinets on paper and then scale back to what you can afford.
- 2). Designate the finish you desire for your cabinets. Price the cabinets at various places in your region and review options online. Choose upper cabinets in an expensive design and compromise for a lower grade on base cabinets. For example, select a high-quality cherry finish for upper cabinets and a painted pale green finish for lower cabinets and an island. Talk with a showroom designer to make a selection on two grades of cabinets if you are in doubt.
- 3). Plan cabinets around kitchen activites. Build an island if you do a lot of cooking. Buy base cabinets for storage under the island, or build an island from scratch with open shelves. Install a floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinet for canned goods. Use a hallway near the kitchen for a larger pantry. Install inexpensive white cabinets, for example, along one wall of the hallway.
- 4). Indicate appliance placement on your layout sketch. Figure out where you want the stove, sink and refrigerator to fit. Place cabinets around the appliances as you scope out your design. Plan major appliances to be only a few steps from each other. Position cabinets with items you use a lot near the stove and sink. Install lower cabinets with deep drawers to hold pots and pans near the stove.
- 5). Invest in nice details to finish up the look of the kitchen. Consider changing the fronts of a few cabinets from solid to wire or glass to add visual interest to your kitchen. Install crown molding at the ceiling perimeter to define your cabinets. Buy upscale hardware versus inexpensive hinges and drawer pulls. As your budget permits, add sliding bins and revolving shelves to enhance the functionality of your new cabinets.