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5 Things To Keep in Mind When Shopping for New Cabinets

Shopping to improve your house is a fun and exciting part of homeownership. Even the smallest upgrades can make the biggest impact, but there are certain projects that can truly make a space feel brand new. When it comes to upgrading your kitchen or bathroom, few things go farther than a brand new set of cabinets. This can be an incredibly exciting project, but also an overwhelming one when it comes to making the final decision. If you’re in the middle of this fun and promising process, here are five things to keep in mind when shopping for new cabinets.

Set your budget
Cabinets can account for nearly half the cost of a total remodel project if the scope will extend to other parts of your space, but don’t let that number intimidate you as cabinets play an even bigger role when it comes to visually transforming your home. If you’re just shopping for cabinets, find a number for your budget that is comfortable, but if you’re making additional improvements then it is smart to plan for your cabinets to receive a significant allocation of the total figure.

Quality
It nearly almost always makes sense to invest in higher quality materials when replacing your cabinets. If you plan to live in your home for the foreseeable future, you don’t want to go through the time, trouble, and expense of a remodel just to put in something that won’t last for as long as you’d want it to. If you plan to sell your home in the near future, cabinets offer a fantastic return on investment, and a beautiful and high-quality set can really make a positive impact on the value of your home. Plus, cabinets see a lot of daily use with frequent opening and closing and banging and clashing around the home – you’ll see a very noticeable improvement on the wear and tear – or lack thereof – when it comes to higher quality materials.

Measure your space
The professionals will go in and do the important calculations when the time comes for designing and installing, but having a relatively accurate idea of your space can be a big help early in the process, too. In doing so, you can form realistic ideas about what concepts might work best, and you can bring that information to your first meetings with your designer which can start you off on a strong foot to make exciting progress.

Longevity
There is something to love about nearly every decorating style, and everyone has different goals when it comes to designing their home. Some people absolutely love a timeless and traditional look, while others prefer something trendier and more modern. No matter how you prefer to design your space, consider the expected lifespan of your cabinet choice before installing them, which can help guide your choices for materials and budget so your selection makes the most sense for your lifestyle.

Resale value
Although it’s important you love your home no matter what, it may not be your only consideration if you plan on reselling in the near future. In instances like these, you’ll want to consider what will appeal to prospective future buyers and take that into account in addition to your own personal tastes. If you plan on living in your home for many years, then the most important person who needs to love it is you.