Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Screening Cabinet Suppliers for Your Home

A kitchen renovation, particularly involving cabinetry, represents a significant investment and is often a major cause of project delays if mistakes occur. Choosing new cabinets is one of the biggest decisions in remodeling or building a new home, impacting both the function and aesthetics of the space for years to come. Avoiding common errors is key to ensuring your cabinets look great, work well, and stand the test of time.

Common Errors to Avoid

Successfully selecting and installing cabinets requires careful planning and attention to detail, starting long before the boxes arrive. Several common mistakes can derail a project or lead to long-term dissatisfaction.

1. Not Measuring Properly

Inaccurate measurements are cited as a top cause of major project delays. Getting them wrong can lead to significant mishaps, such as cabinets that don’t fit, awkward gaps, or uneven installations. Precise measurements are the single biggest way to avoid major delays. This includes accurate measurements of the ceiling height and wall-to-wall dimensions. It’s crucial to measure height, width, and depth, and account for features like windows or doorways that might break up cabinetry or affect alignment. You also need to factor in new appliances, baseboards, crown molding, and any uneven walls or floors. If you are not confident in your measuring skills, professionals have the tools and experience to measure accurately. If doing it yourself, invest in a quality measuring tape and measure twice, cut once. Rushing through measurements can lead to costly mistakes, so take your time.

2. Neglecting Storage Space

While aesthetics are important, it’s a mistake to prioritize looks over performance and storage needs. Many homeowners focus solely on design without adequately considering the required storage space. Without proper storage planning, your kitchen can quickly become a chaotic mess, and tricky areas like corners can turn into dead space where items disappear. A common error is not having enough drawers. Assess your storage requirements before choosing cabinets. Consider the number and types of items you need to store. Avoiding too many small cabinets is also important, as they can create a cluttered appearance, are less efficient for storage, and can indicate an untrained designer focused on cabinet count rather than a functional design.

• Tips for better storage planning:
  • Go vertical with storage, using the tallest cabinetry possible. Extending cabinets to the ceiling provides valuable storage.
  • Choose deep drawers in base cabinets for pots and pans.
  • Use pull-out shelves for easy access in corner cabinets.
  • Add organizers in the pantry.
  • Maximize your kitchen island with built-in storage solutions.

3. Design Choices (Outdated, Over-Personalized, Style Over Practicality)

Cabinet design trends change quickly, and outdated styles can lower your home’s value. Choosing the wrong cabinet style is a mistake because cabinets are a long-term commitment, unlike clothing. Avoid purchasing cabinets based solely on traditional looks that might not complement modern aesthetics, or getting caught up in the excitement of choosing the most stylish but impractical designs.

• Avoid design pitfalls:
  • Pick a style that complements your home’s architecture and your personal taste.
  • Think about the long haul; will the style still look good in five, ten, or twenty years? Classic styles often age better than trendy ones.
  • Consider practicality based on your lifestyle, like high-gloss finishes if you have kids or pets. Ease of use, durability, and maintenance are key.
  • Be cautious of over-personalizing the design, as overly specific choices, bold colors, or unconventional designs may alienate potential buyers or tenants if you plan to sell or rent. Opting for versatile designs and neutral tones is often recommended.
  • Understand that neutrals are NOT timeless, with white, mid-tone wood, and classic colors like Navy, Sage, Yellow, or Rust having more staying power than trendy beiges, greys, or greiges that dominated past decades.

4. Cutting Corners on Quality

The quality of your cabinets significantly impacts their longevity and performance. While tempting to save money with lower-cost options, this often results in higher long-term expenses due to frequent repairs or replacements. Investing in high-quality cabinets is a smart financial decision and can boost your home’s resale value. Cheap cabinets are prone to warping, sagging, and peeling. Particle board cabinets are not sturdy, waterproof, stylish, or eco-friendly. Using a “photo finish” (a picture of wood pasted on cabinet ends) is a cheap trick, not durable, not authentic, and not timeless.

• Look for indicators of quality:
  • Solid wood or plywood construction.
  • Dovetail drawers (provide strength).
  • Soft-close hinges and slides (add convenience, protect from wear).
  • Thick doors and drawers (generally higher quality).
  • High-quality, durable finishes.

5. Overlooking the Importance of Hardware

Cabinet hardware, while seemingly a minor detail, makes a huge difference in the kitchen’s overall look and feel. The right hardware elevates the style, while the wrong choice can detract from it. Durability is just as important as style. Poor-quality knobs, pulls, and hinges can lead to operational issues like sticking drawers or misaligned doors and accelerate wear on cabinet surfaces.

• Hardware considerations:
  • Choose hardware that complements your cabinets and the overall vibe.
  • You can match your cabinet finish or go for a contrasting color/finish.
  • Consider the scale; hardware size should be proportionate to doors and drawers.
  • Think about function; knobs might be better than pulls for some users.
  • Test out different options by opening and closing cabinets.
  • For installation safety, use appropriately sized fasteners.

Beyond the choices related to the cabinets themselves, planning and layout are critical steps that, if overlooked, can lead to significant problems.

6. Planning and Layout Mistakes

The kitchen layout is the backbone of the space, dictating how everything flows. An informal or poorly planned layout can result in a frustrating maze with awkward dead zones or an inefficient work triangle (between the stove, sink, and fridge). A functional layout should ensure a smooth flow and avoid stress and blocked access.

• Layout planning tips:
  • Place the stove first, ideally on an outside wall for easier venting.
  • Next, place the refrigerator and sink in a triangle pattern within working distance of the range.
  • The dishwasher should be next to the sink, with dishes stored within reaching distance.
  • Ensure sufficient walkway sizes: 36 inches through most walkways and 42-48 inches in cooking zones. Avoid interruptions in traffic flow, which create safety hazards and reduce efficiency and aesthetics.
  • Avoid placing the refrigerator directly against the wall, as this hinders cleaning, limits access to crisper bins, reduces airflow, and increases noise.
  • Do not simply stick with the same exact design as your current kitchen, as it may be boring, outdated, inefficient, and not personalized.
  • Question existing layouts; just because something has been a certain way since the home was built doesn’t mean it’s the best way for today’s needs, functionality, and personalization.
  • Consider that interior walls are not necessarily permanent and can be moved to increase flexibility, improve layout, boost home value, and enhance lifestyle.
  • If building a new home, the architect’s initial cabinetry placement drawing is often just a placeholder, not a final, personalized, or efficient design. Work with a professional designer for a layout tailored to your needs.

Using an informal design layout without expert input, even for DIYers, is a mistake. Professional design layouts are recommended and can often be free when purchasing cabinets. While in-house designers can be helpful, some may focus primarily on selling cabinets rather than optimizing functionality. It’s crucial to personalize the design to your specific needs, as everyone uses their kitchen differently. Don’t just focus on how the kitchen will look; it must function well for daily use. A deep planning process, which can take a month or more, is essential. This involves taking an inventory of items, observing usage patterns, and mapping traffic flow. When working with professionals, don’t be too trusting; verify details and ensure the kitchen cabinet supplier or maker is capable. Avoid involving too many different trades (design, finishing, installation) separately, as this increases the opportunity for miscommunication, mistakes, and avoided accountability. Good companies often control every step. Incorporating architectural features or adding architectural interest can elevate the space.

Once the design and cabinets are chosen, the installation phase presents its own set of potential problems.

7. Installation Specific Mistakes

Several mistakes can occur during the physical installation of the cabinets, impacting their functionality and appearance.

• Installation pitfalls:
  • Not inspecting cabinets immediately after delivery. Open boxes and check for defects, wrong sizes, or styles right away to allow time for returns or exchanges.
  • Improper planning for lighting and plumbing. It’s easier and cheaper for electricians and plumbers to do preliminary work before cabinets are installed. Ensure they have measurements and design layout. Allow for future plumbing needs.
  • Attempting to install cabinets alone. Cabinets are awkward, heavy, and difficult to place; installation is a two-person job.
  • Using incorrectly sized fasteners for safety.
  • Not ensuring doors swing in the right direction and won’t interfere with appliances or other cabinets, possibly requiring spacers for clearance.
  • Using spacers that don’t match existing cabinets; they should match the color and finish. If cabinets are unfinished, stain extra slats beforehand.
  • Unleveled or offset installation. This looks bad and can lead to future misalignment. It’s tricky with old walls or floors. Hire a contractor if you lack experience.
  • Not taking plumbing or electrical into account when drilling into walls. Hitting pipes or wires causes grief and expense. Ensure you don’t cover or block needed outlets or lighting. Draw a diagram and stick to it.
  • Not hitting studs when hanging cabinets. Cabinets must be secured to studs. Mark stud locations precisely. Securing to drywall alone risks cabinets falling when loaded.
  • Not keeping cabinets fronts flush or level. Uneven drywall can cause gaps or waves. Use a chalk line, ledger board, and shims to ensure cabinets are level and flush.
  • Placing drawers adjacent to one another that cannot open once hardware is added. This limits functionality, decreases storage, is difficult to fix, and reduces aesthetics.
  • Installing floating floors before cabinets. This makes cabinet installation harder, creates tripping hazards, can void warranties, and looks unprofessional. Install cabinets first.
  • Fillers are necessary in most designs due to uneven walls or the need for clearance. However, avoid placing a filler between two cabinets of equal depth, which looks unprofessional. Use fillers properly at the end of a run, between appliances, or between cabinets of varying depths. Use filler caps or L-shaped fillers for a cleaner look.
  • Ensure electrical outlets don’t interfere with panel work. Plan lighting placement in relation to cabinetry. Account for countertop overhangs in drawings to avoid post-installation notching. Be aware of radiant heating in floors if drilling or nailing.

In summary, avoiding these mistakes requires careful planning, attention to detail during selection and installation, and often involves seeking professional help where needed. A well-executed project results in a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen that you can enjoy for years.

What to do next

Creating your dream kitchen involves a deep planning process. Whether you undertake the project yourself or hire a professional, dedicating sufficient time to planning is crucial. If you lack the time or experience, hiring a skilled designer and qualified contractor can ensure a successful outcome and provide peace of mind.

Here are some frequently asked questions about avoiding cabinet mistakes:

FAQ

Q: What are some common measurement mistakes to avoid when planning cabinets?

A: Common measurement mistakes include not accurately measuring ceiling height and wall-to-wall dimensions, forgetting to account for new appliances, and neglecting existing architectural features like baseboards, molding, or uneven walls and floors. These can lead to cabinets that don’t fit properly or have unsightly gaps. To avoid this, measure everything twice, use a quality measuring tape, and factor in all obstacles and variations.

Q: Why is cabinet layout so important, and what are typical layout errors?

A: Cabinet A: layout is the foundation of a functional kitchen, influencing workflow and efficiency. Typical errors include creating “dead zones” (awkward unused spaces) or an inefficient work triangle between the stove, sink, and refrigerator. Other mistakes involve door swings interfering with appliances or other cabinets, drawers adjacent to each other that can’t open, or poor placement of appliances like the refrigerator against a wall, which affects accessibility and airflow. Planning the placement of key appliances first and ensuring adequate walkway space can help avoid these issues.

Q: How can I avoid choosing cabinets that will quickly look outdated?

A: To avoid quickly outdated cabinets, don’t base your choice solely on current trends or overly traditional styles. While neutrals might seem safe, many (like beige or grey) have gone out of style over time. Classic styles and colors like white, mid-tone wood, navy, sage, yellow, or rust tend to have more longevity. Over-personalizing with bold, unconventional designs can also make the kitchen less appealing to future buyers. Choose a style that complements your home’s architecture and your long-term taste.

Q: What are the risks of choosing low-quality cabinets?

A: Choosing low-quality cabinets to save money can lead to higher expenses in the long run due to frequent repairs and replacements. Low-quality materials like particle board are not sturdy, prone to warping, sagging, peeling, and can be easily damaged by moisture. Features like “photo finishes” are cheap tricks that lack durability and authenticity. Investing in cabinets made from solid wood or plywood with quality features like dovetail drawers and durable finishes ensures longevity and adds value.

Q: Should I install my kitchen cabinets myself?

A: Installing kitchen cabinets is physically demanding and requires precision. It’s considered a two-person job, as cabinets are awkward and heavy. Mistakes like improper leveling, not hitting studs, or incorrect placement can lead to functional problems and look unprofessional. If you have no prior experience or even the slightest doubt, it is recommended to hire an experienced contractor or professional installer to ensure the cabinets are installed correctly and safely.