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Five Reasons to Love White Shaker Cabinets!

Like all magnificent things, it’s very simple.

— Natalie Babbitt.

From time to time the National Kitchen and Bath Association gives word to kitchen designers that white cabinets are on their way out. We hold our collective breath.  A world devoid of our favorite white cabinets? It can’t be! Oh, tell us it’s not true!! We spend our nights tossing and turning, our sleep haunted by visions of white-less cabinets. Our days are spent in dismal disbelief.  But every time our prayers are answered, and white cabinets are still America’s favorite. White is, and will always be, the favorite color overall for homeowners, as well as, designers. Why?  It’s bright, light, beautiful and there’s nothing you can’t do with white shaker cabinets! And when we pair our favorite white with the Shaker door style it’s fantabulastic!  Here is why:

  1. White actually makes the kitchen seem brighter by reflecting light.  And not only does it look brighter it makes the kitchen seem larger by making the walls seem to recede. And if the wall and ceiling is white you can create a kitchen that is seamless without boundaries or edges.  To keep an all-white kitchen from looking cold and sterile use contrasting textures and recessed-panel Shaker cabinets and some crown molding to create interesting shadows.  That’s just one reason we like to pair white with Shaker door styles. 
  2. White is a classic. Shaker cabinets are also a classic. When you pair two classics can you get anything less than classy? It’s like our little black dress, we can dress it up or down.  It works with any color. White Shaker cabinets with black granite countertops? Fantastic! White Shaker Cabinets with blue soapstone countertops? Amazing!  White marble countertops? Magnificent! You simply can’t go wrong with white Shaker cabinets!
  3. Whatever appliance color you fall in love with will work perfectly with white Shaker cabinets.  Consider black countertops with black or slate appliances for the classic black and white. Or choose stainless steel appliances with a metallic and glass tile backsplash and give the kitchen a clean, stunningly Contemporary look.  White Shaker cabinets with bronze faucets and bronze appliances, you can take this kitchen anywhere you want it to go. Or white shaker with nickel hardware and faucets and black stainless steel appliances. You literally can’t go wrong! 
  4. White Shaker cabinets are the perfect start of any kitchen style. They work equally well in a Traditional kitchen as a Contemporary kitchen.  They are casual enough to be perfectly at home in a cottage or farmhouse kitchen.   
  5. I think one of the main reasons we love white Shaker cabinets is simplicity. In the chaotic world we live in simplicity is a welcome break. It’s not so much a lack of complexity but rather it allows us to focus on only what’s necessary. Simplicity allows us to focus on the important aspects of the kitchen without a profusion of other things demanding our attention.  Simplicity is a feeling.  An emotional response.  It’s a way of bringing out the best of a room by only noticing what is essential.

At the heart of the Shaker movement were practicality and simplicity that can be seen in the Shaker style cabinetry.  The classic simplicity is what makes it work so well with all kitchen styles, colors, and finishes. Natalie Babbitt said it best “Like all magnificent things, it’s very simple.”

Be Careful when Shopping for Cheap Kitchen Cabinets

Remodeling can be expensive, and trying to find the best deal on kitchen cabinets can be frustrating. As you are shopping, and considering the anticipated cash outlay, you may well be questioning if there are more economic options than you are seeing at the time. Thus, you go to the internet to look for cheap kitchen cabinets.

Conscious of it or not, manufacturers are quite aware of what you are going through and have their approaches in place to present their products in the best light to you. They key the on-screen presentations to make their items most fitting to your needs.

This well could lead to some strong issues:

  • Cabinets less sturdy than you anticipated, and
  • Overall general disappointment with the quality.

That you are reading this article shows that you are starting off by taking the right approach.

Getting the Right Kitchen Cabinets Should Be Enjoyable

Your kitchen is a special room in your home. It is where you cook meals, as well as prepare between-meal snacks. Therefore, remodeling your kitchen needs to be a very special experience and not something where you merely patch cracks and get the absolute least expensive items you can find… this is for the long term.

This approach is particularly valid when shopping for cabinets. While you certainly should not forego seeking the best price you can, you also must be aware of the frequently uttered: “you get what you pay for.” This applies to the cabinets in particular and the whole kitchen remodel in general.

Find a cabinet company that has a wide-ranging selection of cabinets and top-notch service to help you burst through any stumbling blocks keeping you from getting your dream kitchen.

What You Need to Elude when Seeking Cheap Kitchen Cabinets

Keep in mind, from the beginning of your search, that if something appears too good to be true, it probably is. This is a particularly valid approach when it comes to Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) cabinets.

First, when reviewing product listings, be certain you understand the quality of materials being used in their constructions. Many firms’ approach is to obfuscate the materials used until you open packages on delivery to your home.

Find an RTA cabinet company that will offer free door samples so that you’re positive your purchase is perfect for you. My recommendation is that you order as many as three samples of cabinet doors before locking in on a purchase. Thus, you will have had time to examine alternate options and, therefore, be more secure in your decision.

You Must Always Double Check Constructions and Evaluate Cabinet Features 

Disregard the stapled particle board that makes up most cheap kitchen cabinets you will see. Rather, you need to be seeking quality designs that encompass dovetail joinery and the like. Further, consider if you require cabinets that have such useful features as a pull-out trash can or integrated charging station. They may appear to be luxuries right now, but consider the future.

Customer service also is critical. The company from which you purchase should have people available to answer all of your cabinetry related questions quickly. Slow or reluctant responses themselves are a large red flag! 

Look for a cabinet company that is committed to their customers’ success by thoroughly checking their reviews online. After all, your success comes first.

What is Your Kitchen Remodel’s Scope of Work?

Well, you’ve decided to change your drab and outdated kitchen. You’ve been pouring over kitchen design magazines and websites. You’re pretty sure what you want and what you don’t. And you have an idea of what you can afford. 

One very important task that needs to be determined early in the project is the Scope of Work.This is a term that we use to describe the extent of the project. This helps prevent budget overruns by setting down the scope of your project and how much you can afford. For example, the scope might be a full demo and remodel.  It may be keeping the original kitchen footprint but changing layout within that footprint. It might be just new cabinets and countertops. Some homeowners have the scope of work in hand when they hire a kitchen designer. But a good kitchen designer can help you decide the scope of the work and a realistic idea of what you can do within your budget. 

Deciding the Scope

Sometimes a homeowner has a good idea of what he or she wants but not such a great idea of what it will take to achieve what they want.  For instance, you may want to relocate the wall ovens and cooktop which will mean moving the gas lines clean across the room. This can add quite a bit more to the cost.  Or you might want to move the sinks and add a pot filler at the cooktop which will mean a tricky plumbing maneuver.  This might cost quite a bit in plumbing costs.  Whatever the scope it must be determined early on.

  1. Set a rough budget for your remodel.  List what the project will involve including electrical work, plumbing, gas lines, etc.  
  2. Create a wish list of what you want.  Include new appliances, cabinets, tile backsplash, countertops, flooring, lighting, etc. The more details the better. If you will settle for a slight downgrade, lets say you want pro-appliances, but your budget won’t stretch that far it’s good to have a second best option. 
  3. Come Prepared. As a designer I know it’s difficult for clients to communicate needs verbally especially about finishes and colors. It’s not easy for us either.  Having a photo file of examples keeps everyone on the same page. At this point your photos will help the professionals in the project estimate the budget you will need to include what you want and if that is a budget you can afford. If not, a good designer can give you many good options that won’t be a huge disappointment and you may like even better. If there are words to remember in kitchen design it’s ‘’be flexible.’’ 
  4. DIY or Contractor.  If it’s going to be a rather simple project and you have some experience you may plan to do at least some of the work yourself. Things like RTA cabinets can be done yourself and can save money and allow you to work a few extras into your budget like some new appliances or a great new backsplash. This should be part of the Scope of Work.

Step by step your kitchen renovation will take shape.  The foundation of a successful kitchen project is good realistic planning. From that sturdy foundation your new kitchen will be built.

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