EXPLORE NEW CHOICES IN KITCHEN CABINETRY
“Kitchens are not just about cooking and eating food, they are about life,” says Lauren Lake, designer and host of HGTV’s Spice Up My Kitchen. And because the role of the kitchen has evolved, the way homeowners think about designing this space has also changed.
“It’s not unusual to see a kitchen with a desk for a computer or an oversized island that accommodates several people for comfortable entertaining.”
And today’s open floor plans force homeowners to explore design and storage options that will help the kitchen coordinate with the surrounding living areas as well as meet the functional needs of the family. As a result, cabinetry is moving to the forefront of kitchen design and taking on a larger role to help integrate the family’s favorite room into the rest of the home, with the same level of excitement and creativity.
Once considered the backdrop of a kitchen, cabinets are now “showstoppers,” available in a rainbow of dramatic colors, textures and finishes that can complement popular open floor plans as well as reflect individual style.
Innovative prints, bold colors, distressed two-tone finishes, or metal and fiberglass constructions are some of the new style choices that have emerged with the rebirth of cabinetry. And whether you prefer the simple and sophisticated lines of European manufacturers or the ornate elegance of something more traditional, cabinets will surely bring the kitchen’s true personality to life – with multiple options for every budget level.
TYPES OF KITCHEN CABINETS
Yes, budget will definitely determine the types of cabinetry you can install in your kitchen, and there will be different levels of customization if you have a budget of $2,000 than if your budget was $20,000. However, spending less does not mean settling for less. Whether the cabinet type is stock, semi-custom or custom, you will be sure to find a style that best fits your kitchen. Here are some of the differences among the three types of cabinets:
• Stock cabinets are ready-made styles that can be purchased directly off the shelves at your local hardware store. Fairly inexpensive, they install easily and look pretty good, but there is little or no flexibility for customization with color or storage options.
• Semicustom cabinets are special-order pieces and can often take 10 – 16 weeks to deliver. Considerably more expensive than stock cabinets, most manufacturers offer a base style that allows moderate customization with cabinet depth, door style and shelving options.
• Custom cabinets offer unlimited options for personalization because they are completely made from scratch but can be extremely expensive and have a much longer lead time for delivery.
Regardless of budget and personal style, what we all want is a kitchen that complements our lifestyle and reflects our individuality. We don’t want our space to look like everyone else’s. “Make it functional, but in the end, make it fabulous and make it fit your life,” says Lake.
Watch Lauren Lake on Spice Up My Kitchen, Tuesdays at 10 PM ET/PT on HGTV.
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