Cabinet Basics

Cabinets come in all shapes and sizes. We have talked about the differences between stock cabinets, custom cabinets, and semi-custom cabinets. Depending on your space, needs and budget, finding the right balance of function, quality and price is just a matter of planning.

Planning For Use

Traffic

When beginning to brainstorm your new or remodeled kitchen layout, you will probably come across a design principle called the "work triangle." This is a concept that dictates that each working area, including the refrigerator, sink, and cooking appliances, should be at least 4 feet but no more than 9 or 10 feet apart. Ideally, this will economize the cook's traffic pattern while keeping others out of the triangle.

Size

Stock cabinets usually come in 3 inch width increments. The standard for base cabinets (the ones countertops go on) is 24 inches deep and 34.5 inches tall. Upper cabinets are usually 12 inches deep and either 30 or 42 inches tall. If your project can be designed to accommodate stock cabinets, you may be able to save a few dollars.

Semi-custom cabinets are also premanufactured cabinets that provide a great value with more options than Stock cabinets. An expanded range of color, finishes and accessories are available for Semi-custom cabinetry.

Custom cabinets are, in general, more expensive, but you should not necessarily think of them as a luxury. For instance, elevating or raising a dishwasher within a custom cabinet would eliminate the need to bend all the way over to fill or empty it, which is ideal for those who suffer from joint pain, back pain, and well—age.

Because the need to bend over is reduced by adding a few inches to all base cabinets, taller cabinets can be a marketable asset, especially if your home is in a retirement community, because the benefit has a nominal effect on those who do not need it.

Planning For Budget

Although each project is different, cabinets can easily account for anywhere between 25–50 percent of a project's total cost—but you should also consider that new cabinets and countertops alone would be a dramatic face lift or upgrade to any room.

• Stock cabinets provide the lowest cost option.
• Semi-custom cabinets provide more options and are what we consider a better value than stock cabinets.
• Custom Cabinets may come with a higher price tag, but they also afford you the most possibilities and options — and depending on your remodel values, they might be the right choice.

We understand that sometimes, you may not know what you want or what you need because you may not know what is available. Affordable Kitchens and Bathrooms specializes in finding the right balance of design, quality and price for projects of all budgets. Our Carmel showroom is full of samples and models that will help you feel and experience some of the possibilities for your home.

If you or someone you know is ready to find more value in their home, give us a call at 1-877-252-1420 or send us an email.

Thank you,
David Decker

President, Affordable Kitchens and Bathrooms

AKB is dedicated to customer service, open communication, quality workmanship and unique design, while building lifelong relationships with our customers.