First things first, how much space do you have in your kitchen? Are you willing to knock a wall or two down to increase the space? How will that affect the adjoining rooms?
Once you've made up your mind about the space you need, the kitchen cabinets are the next item to consider. They are the focal point of the room, the most functional element of the kitchen and basically the "thing" that every other item of your kitchen "wraps around".
What you choose will either make or break the deal.
There's really 3 choices at your disposal:
#1- If budget is the main criteria, drop by IKEA, Lowes, Rona and Home Depot. Cabinets are sold in individual pieces, stock measurements and you can mix-and-match with enough variety to get you from A to B for the most economically sensible option. Downside being, you're limited in the selection. Box frames are laminated, and your only "upgrade" is usually solid doors. Don't kid yourself, new cabinets are new cabinets and even with this option you can make a dramatic upgrade to your kitchen so if you have a tight budget you still have options.
#2 - Budget is still a criteria, but you just got a bonus at work:). GREAT! Now your options have multiplied umpteen times (I love "Umpteen"...no math involved). There are a plethora of manufacturers out there that sell stock cabinets using "good" quality materials with enough "upgrade" options to give your kitchen the 100k look, without the 100k price tag. Crown molding, faux pillars, architectural trim, panelling, higher grade hinges/closers, and on and on when cleverly designed can make your new kitchen the subject of envy of all of your friends and neighbours. Consider option 2 as the "gates to the field" have opened up for you. Enjoy the bounty that awaits you in available options.
#3 - Custom Cabinetry...Who are we kidding, when is budget NOT a criteria? But say you just got a bonus at work... Consider this as the gates to HEAVEN opening up for you. The sky is the limit because now we're talking custom. Not peasant like restrictions of stock measurements/materials (I kid). You can get any material, in any dimension, with custom trim and the highest grade hinges, pulls, closers, shelves, etc. We're talking hand cut joinery where a single cabinet door can be 10+ pieces individually cut/joined. We're talking a truly ONE OF A KIND kind of kitchen. NOBODY else in the world will have the exact same kitchen cabinets as you...pfft...friends and neighbours who?
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