Custom Kitchen Cabinets Add Comfort And Personal Style

(HIT) - The kitchen has become the "everything" room. It is where we go when we are home alone, sipping a cup of tea, nibbling a cookie, or reading the paper. It is also where the kids go when they come home from school, and it’s where we drift when a friend drops by or are having a party.

Cole Martin, president of BeaverHome.com, a popular on-line marketer of custom kitchen cabinets and other home furnishings, calls the kitchen the "true center of today’s home". "Why, even the Wall Street Journal has acknowledged the importance of today’s kitchen," he says. "In a recent Journal survey, a new custom kitchen proved to be the top item on consumers’ wish lists. In past years, luxury cars topped the lists, but today’s consumers are home-oriented, and the kitchen is the first image that comes into their minds when they think ‘home’."

According to Martin, homeowners want their custom kitchens to be comforting and very personal. "They want a kitchen where they can really chill out after a hectic day, " he says. "But they are also highly cognizant that a beautiful new custom kitchen is a great investment. It helps sell a house and increases its value."

Custom Kitchen Cabinetry Counts

Professional designers advise homeowners shopping for a new kitchen to start with the cabinets. Kitchen cabinets are by far the most visible element of any kitchen, so it establishes the look. It can also account for 60% of the cost of a new kitchen, so it is smart to learn as much as possible before making a choice."

Oak remains a favorite for custom kitchen cabinets, especially in country kitchens, but maple, which is considered more transitional, has been catching up fast. Cherry, which is a more formal, is finding its way into traditional, elegant kitchens. Gone are all those white-painted kitchens of the last decade. In their stead, more natural, warmer kitchen cabinet finishes are gaining favor.

Martin also points out that the only way to meet the exact storage needs, work requirements and lifestyles of each family is too look for custom kitchen cabinet solutions. In fact, before you buy kitchen cabinets, homeowners need to be ready to answer questions about the way they live. What kind of food do they like? How do they entertain? Are they a two-cook family? Do both adults work outside the home? Do they have collections they want to display?

"Their answers dictate the kind of custom kitchen cabinetry they need," explains Martin. "But whether they need two microwaves, three sinks, a grill as well as a conventional stove, or a commercial freezer, the cabinets are still the key element. They anchor the appliances, provide storage for everything from pasta makers to treasured china, and are supposed to work flawlessly and look great for years and years."

Buying Custom Kitchen Cabinetry Online

Many sources offer custom kitchen cabinetry online, with a wide selection of wood species, door styles and finishes to choose from. So how does one choose a source for custom kitchen cabinets on line? The first step is to search using any or all of the major search engines. Ask friends and family for recommendations, and visit each custom kitchen cabinet firm’s website to learn about the cabinet styles, finishes, manufacturing details and prices they offer.

Many companies selling over the Internet are able to offer really attractive pricing. For custom kitchen cabinets, the typical savings can be up to 40% when you compare features with local custom kitchen cabinet sources. That can put custom kitchen cabinets well within reach for the average American family. Check your "short list" of online custom kitchen cabinet vendors on the Better Business Bureau’s website to see if any complaints have been filed.

Once you’ve selected a custom kitchen cabinet vendor, take advantage of the tools offered by that vendor to view cabinet styles, wood species and cabinet finishes. Some online custom kitchen cabinet vendors offer free samples. Others charge for samples but refund the sample price when you place your custom kitchen cabinet order.

Some of the details to look out for when buying custom kitchen cabinets include doors that are mortise-tendon and glued, not just stapled, and drawers that are built with sturdy dovetail construction. Also look for options that will make your kitchen unique and functional, such as roll-out garbage cans, wine racks and special pasta drawers.

Finally, before placing an order, make sure you read the terms of service from your selected custom kitchen cabinet vendor to make sure you understand what charges you will incur for shipping, and how long they’ll take to deliver your new cabinets. Keep in mind that custom-crafted kitchen cabinets can take 16 weeks or more to complete.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center