Custom Cabinet Ideas for the Price-conscious

by Kelly Richardson
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Not everyone has a couple of thousand dollars to renovate their kitchen cabinets. Luckily, it doesn't take that kind of cash to turn your kitchen into something you'll be proud of.

The term 'custom' usually means cabinets that are built specifically to suit your tastes and kitchen design. Custom also usually means expensive. But there are several ways that you can customize your kitchen cabinets that won't require measuring and cutting by a professional contractor. You can customize your doors and hardware for a fraction of the price and still get the same remarkable results as a full cabinet redo.

Custom Cabinet Doors

• Treated. Treated cabinets feature such unique finishes as glazing or staining. The varying effect is achieved with special brushes and custom stains.
• Accented. Accented cabinet doors include those that are carved or decorated with wood accoutrements. You can extend current kitchen themes in your design.
• Painted. Painted kitchen cabinets have long been favored by homeowners who prefer color. Use paint to accentuate the natural lines of your cabinet designs. 

Unless you have extensive experience working with cabinetry, you'll want to hire a professional contractor to incorporate these custom cabinet designs into your kitchen. Here are the things you should ask a contractor before hiring him to do the work.

Contractor Questions

• Price. You should secure a free estimate before the work begins.
• Time. Find out the hours that the job will take and when to expect completion.
• Warranty. Get any warranty offered for the work in writing.

Not only will these custom cabinet designs make your kitchen look better, they will save you a great deal of money at the same time.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the home improvement scene in between his seasonal projects. His articles appear wherever intelligent interior design is valued.