Make a budget for the new cabinet upgrade
Over 40% to 50% of the total budget will be devoted to your cabinet upgrade in your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. Take this into account when setting your total budget, but make sure you choose your cabinets wisely, as this important step will set the tone of your new kitchen or bathroom and play a major role in transforming your space.

Take measurements where the cabinets are being placed
You can take initial measurements just to get a feel for what space you have available for new cabinets. But before ordering the cabinets, you will need a professional to come in and measure for you, ensuring the proper cabinets are ordered, and will fit in the space given.

Choose between stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets
Your budget will dictate the type of cabinet you will get as stock cabinets are the least expensive, but are limited to standard sizes and color. For more variety, you can choose a semi-custom cabinet which is factory-built in standard sizes, but have many options for storage, design and style. If you are looking for the high-end, you may choose the custom cabinet option, which gives you the most choices in color, style, wood, and finish. These cabinets are constructed in either a workroom to designer specifications or on-site.

Choose from the many options that cabinet design offers
Choosing between stock, semi-custom, and custom will also dictate the type of storage available. Stock cabinets have few options beyond drawers and cupboards, whereas semi-custom and custom cabinets offer an endless array of storage options such as pullout shelves, a lazy Susan, wine racks, vertical dividers for trays and cookie sheets, an appliance garage, or pullout bins.

Choose the quality of the cabinet you desire
The quality may depend on how long will leave in the home you are upgrading. If you are planning to “settle” down in this home, then you should choose top quality cabinets. Purchase cabinets that have solid frames, door and drawer fronts, reinforced corners and closed backs. Because the drawers and doors will be opened and closed many times a day, you want them to operate smoothly and quietly.

Choose what decorating style you want for the cabinet
If you are not sure what look you are going for in your kitchen or bathroom, look through magazines that show different styles and colors of cabinetry. Think about how the cabinets might go with your architecture of your home as well as the interior design of the other rooms.