Week 5: How Do I Choose Cabinets? (Kitchen Remodel Design Ideas)

We are halfway through our blog series What You Need to Know About Kitchen Design. We’re giving the answers to the top 10 questions clients ask when remodeling their kitchens. This week, Question 5.

Question 5: How Do I Choose Cabinets?

When choosing cabinets, start with what you don’t see – the cabinet box. You want a box made from high-quality plywood that is formaldehyde-free. (Yes, some cheap cabinets are made with plywood that off-gasses formaldehyde, poisoning the air in your home!) The back, bottom, top, and sides of the cabinet box should be ½” thick plywood on framed cabinets and ¾” thick on frame-less. Look for a drawer box with dovetail construction and quality guides – an area where makers of cheaper cabinets often cut corners.

Now for the parts of your cabinets you do see: the face frame, doors, drawer fronts and finished ends. Wood face frames, doors, drawer fronts and finished ends should be well built with good clean joints and beautifully finished in a multi-step process. You will know a multi-step stain or paint because it looks rich and deep.

If you’re interested in a laminated cabinet finish, great for modern kitchens, go for the best quality you can afford to minimize issues with cracking and de-lamination.

Finally, choose a cabinet manufacturer with an ironclad guarantee – preferably one that covers the life of the cabinets. Quality kitchen cabinets will last 20 or 30 years, and you want to buy them from a manufacturer who can go the distance.

RED FLAG Be cautious if your cabinet doesn’t back up claims of quality with a set of detailed specifications including measurements for all parts.

To see more information about the kitchen featured click here or for more design ideas and cabinet choices see our website. 

Still have questions? Call 925-285-0815 or email jackie@venueathome.com now to schedule a 30-minute phone consultation. Yours FREE when you mention this blog post.

Next week we’ll answer Kitchen Design Question 4: Is It Okay To Put A Wood Floor In A Kitchen?

Jackie Lopey embraced her creativity and passion over 10 years ago when she left her corporate job in San Francisco to become an interior designer. Since then she has worked with over a hundred satisfied clients transforming hundreds of rooms, and Jackie’s reputation now precedes her as one of the top Certified Interior Designers in the East Bay.

She has a keen eye for detail and uniquely intuits her clients wants and needs. If you want a home that is breathtaking and deeply personal, Jackie Lopey and her team at Venue are the experts you need to talk to.