Kitchen Renovations 101: How to Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets
By Cheri WatkinsRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
Kitchen cabinet configurations depend on room size, number of work stations, and infrastructure features, such as sink and window locations. So, the preliminary step to building your own kitchen cabinets is to:
Draw a Design Scheme for Your Kitchen Renovation
Consider drawing a rough floor plan of the entire kitchen, and a "pullout" sketch, highlighting details and dimensions of the kitchen cabinets. The most basic information you need is length, width, height, and depth of the kitchen cabinets you want to build. Plan to leave 36" to 48" of open space between banks of cabinets, and between cabinets and work spaces. Be sure to factor in the placement of windows, plumbing, and major appliances.
Choose the Materials to Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets
By building your own kitchen cabinets, you open up your budget to high-end building materials, such as walnut, white oak, curly maple, flat panel cherry, poplar, and painted medium density fiber board. For modern minimalist cabinet construction using metals, it is best to consult a contractor.
Think Carefully About Hardware For Kitchen Cabinets
Handles, knobs, and pulls come in an array of metal, glass, and wood materials. Designs range from elaborate to classic to t-shaped to glass. Choose your hinges and handles at the same time to match the hardware.
By choosing this do-it-yourself kitchen renovation project, you can save money, expand your design options, and challenge yourself to improve those carpentry skills.
Next
Check out Part 2 of Refacingcabinet.com's How to Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets series, Choosing Materials for Building Kitchen Cabinets where the woodworking begins.
To see the full list of articles in this series visit our How to Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets series page.
About The Author
Cheri Renee began her professional writing career at Greenspun Media Group's Showbiz Weekly magazine (now LVM). Several years later, she discovered an interest in interior design and home improvement, while on assignment for GMG's H&D magazine. Cheri has consulted as an English language arts editor for McGraw-Hill Education, and a biomedical research copyeditor for faculty at UNLV, and Sunrise Children's Heart Center. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Augusta State University and an M.S.T. in Adolescent English Education from Fordham University.
