Why You Should Install Your Kitchen Cabinets Before Any Appliances

Renovating your kitchen offers you an opportunity to try something new with your space. If you're ripping everything out and starting from scratch, you can play around with the layout and envision the paint colors, cabinets, appliances, and flooring you want to install. Even though it's one room in the house, the kitchen is possibly the most essential since it's used multiple times throughout the day. Many homeowners will know how they want their kitchen to look but make the mistake of installing things out of order. For instance, some will install their appliances before the kitchen cabinets when it should be the other way around. You only have so much space to work with; using up every inch you can is vital.

Installing cabinets before your appliances sounds odd since you want to ensure they fit perfectly in their respective place. However, kitchen cabinetry makes up the entire room, so you want the appliances, flooring, and paint colors to complement it. Once installed, they can't be moved unless you do another renovation with entirely new cabinets. They're the foundation because they help determine the layout and how your kitchen will function.

When renovating the kitchen, consider how much storage you'll need for kitchenware. Design a layout that will be the most functional for storing everything from pots to lids to counter appliances. If you generally cook dinner every night for your family, you might have a wide range of kitchenware you use daily. Figuring out how many cabinets and drawers you'll need is more important than fitting in a stove or refrigerator beforehand. However, it is crucial to know what appliances you want in your kitchen so you know how much space to leave for them. You can choose the appliances you want, take their measurements, and map them out in the layout to fit when it's time to purchase them.

Installing cabinets first allows you to use more of your budget to invest in high-quality cabinets that won't need to be repaired multiple times. Designers always recommend splurging on cabinetry because repairing low-quality cabinets will cost as much as high-quality ones if they loosen or break. Even though you want appliances to last forever, they're typically easier to replace if they have a good warranty or have lived their full term. Cabinets should last the entirety of a home's life. If they ever need an update, it's easier to switch out the doors or knobs or give them a fresh coat of paint instead of ripping out the boxes and starting fresh.

Since the cabinetry is a significant part of the kitchen's overall look, you'll be able to incorporate decorative elements effortlessly. If you don't already have appliances picked out, match them to the cabinet's finish instead of matching the cabinets to your chosen appliances. However, if you know which appliances you want to buy and they're available in various finishes, then you have more leverage to decorate the kitchen in multiple ways. A simple way to create a cohesive yet beautiful area is by using the same finish for cabinets and appliances. For instance, installing black cabinetry and black appliances in a bohemian kitchen with wood flooring, countertops, and shelving is a minimal look. Still, they add character when you include color through plants, backsplash, and kitchenware.

It can be tricky to make vibrant colors look seamless in the kitchen. The colors have to complement each other to work in the space. A Scandinavian-themed kitchen, for example, includes brighter colors. Pair sky blue cabinetry with white countertops and white or stainless steel appliances, such as a refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Black appliances can take away from the pastel color and be an eyesore for the room. If you at least have the cabinets installed, everything else will fall into place. Use the flooring and cabinets as your starting point for a gorgeous kitchen.