There are a lot of options to look at when planning the most important room of your house
Amidst the countless Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz posts, it’s undeniable that you will eventually get the itch to reimagine your kitchen design. Kitchen cabinets come to the forefront of any homeowner’s mind due to their combination of functionality and unlimited possibility of styles.
And, let’s face it, your cabinets make up a HUGE portion of the look and feel of your kitchen.
When it comes time to replace these fixtures, you have a few routes you can take. Each option will lead you down different paths, some with more curves and bumps than others. Thankfully, we’re here to help guide you on your journey to your ultimate dream cabinets. We’ve detailed each major option for you below, weighing the pros and cons to save you some time and possible heartache!
Option 1: DIY at Ikea
Today, every instructional video you can think of can be found on the Internet. Just google “how to install kitchen cabinets” and you’ll be brought endless results and pages. You’ve assembled an Ikea chair before in under two hours, so how hard could a few kitchen cabinets be? Top that with the possibility of saving some money, and doing it yourself seems like the perfect idea! Before purchasing a new tool belt and taking a trip to the store, and possibly the hospital afterwards, take a second to consider some important factors.
Do you have the time it requires to correctly plan, budget, measure, deep clean, install, correct, possibly sand, prime, and paint your design? Unfortunately you can’t put a pause on your busy work and social schedules. Along with allocating enough space, make sure you take your time to look into every detail of a possible project. Missing even the most minor of elements could result in delayed construction or even more costly problems.
Next, consider the equipment you already own or will need to purchase. Not only does this task require obscure tools, but you will need to enlist the help of a few friends at the very least. Kitchen cabinets are extremely bulky, not to mention heavy. Your measuring and leveling skills will be put to the test—bolting and leveling cabinets is an art form. Even a centimeter off and you might have to restart the whole process.
If you’re more of a “measure once and cut twice” kind of person, it’s possible that DIY isn’t for you. Make sure to weigh in your honest experience with these kinds of home projects—there’s no shame in admitting you’ve never held a belt sander before!
Option 2: Hire a contractor
Contractors know a little about a lot of things. They’ll most likely have more experience than you with the installation of the cabinets, but their design knowledge might be lacking. With contractors, however, you are able to search online and read reviews to try to weed out the imposters.
Research is your best friend in this route of action. While checking reviews and portfolios of contractors, you might run into some horror stories. Not everyone who hires an hourly contractor comes out with a perfect kitchen. In some situations, cheaper contractors without verified expertise can result in your beloved kitchen ending up worse than when you started.
If you do choose to hire a contractor from a retail chain, make sure to do plenty of homework beforehand. Sales associates may try to upsell higher-priced products or additional upgrades that you don’t want or need. It’s always helpful to have an airtight game-plan to make sure you’re getting exactly what suits your needs.
Option 3: Go through an interior designer
Opting to hire an interior designer for your kitchen cabinets helps you to guarantee that style will be added into the equation. You can decide to hire through a national retailer (who may charge an additional fee), or take on the task of finding one yourself.
When choosing the latter, try to find a designer with connections in the industry. More connections mean that they’ve been working hard at their trade for a longer amount of time. It also helps to remember that interior designers have their own preferences, and your budget might not be at the forefront of their minds. Make sure to stand a firm ground on certain designs or features. Don’t let a more forceful designer hijack your future kitchen cabinet dreams!
Option 4: Utilize a certified kitchen designer (CKD)
Saving the best for last, the recommended route is to utilize a certified kitchen designer, or CKD. Certified kitchen designers must have at least seven years of kitchen design experience and at least four years of formal design education. They also have to continue their education by taking additional classes for a set amount of hours annually. In short, they’re required to know their stuff.
Experienced professionals offer options and appointments, and show you genuine care. Make sure to check on the National Kitchen and Bath website for a break-down of members. A CKD can offer insights on recent trends, building quirks, and innovative materials and styles. They are also the best-versed in safety guidelines and codes. Passionate companies that take time to learn and perfect their craft, like Capozzi, make sure that there is no bolt left unscrewed.
Choosing to hire a CKD means that you’ll be working with a team that sincerely cares about your vision as well as creating a long-lasting design that can make your kitchen what you need and want it to be.
Companies like Capozzi combine expertise, safety, and ergonomic standards that other builders and installation contractors aren’t fully knowledgeable about. Add on the fact that Capozzi offers a showroom for you to “test-drive” your new kitchen, and you’ve found your perfect kitchen cabinet professional match.
Designing and building kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces is what Capozzi Design Group LLC has been doing for three generations…as a family.
As our clients know, serving your home extends beyond a business transaction. We care and show that by
• hiring professionals who we are excited to have in our homes
• being on the job from the start to finish, at any time. (Leaky faucet? We are on our way.)
You see, we don’t want to just serve you once. We’re welcoming you into the Capozzi family. You can call us whenever you need anything. After all, isn’t that what family does?
