Choosing new kitchen cabinets is one of the biggest decisions you'll make during a kitchen remodeling project. Cabinets have a major impact on the appearance, functionality, storage capacity, and overall budget of your kitchen.

With so many cabinet styles, materials, finishes, configurations, and options available, knowing where to start can make the process much easier.

Whether you're remodeling an existing kitchen or designing a new one, this guide will help you understand the most important factors to consider before choosing your cabinets.

1. Start With Your Kitchen Layout

Before selecting cabinet doors, colors, or finishes, think about how your kitchen will function.

The layout determines where your cabinets, appliances, countertops, and work areas will be located. A well-planned kitchen should make it easy to move between the refrigerator, sink, cooktop, and other frequently used areas.

Common kitchen layouts include:

• One-wall kitchens
• Galley kitchens
• L-shaped kitchens
• U-shaped kitchens
• Peninsula kitchens
• Island kitchens

Your available space will influence the cabinet sizes and configurations you can use.

If you're remodeling an existing kitchen, take careful measurements before ordering cabinets. Pay attention to walls, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical outlets, appliances, and ceiling height.

Good planning at this stage can prevent expensive changes later.

2. Choose a Cabinet Style

Kitchen cabinets are available in a wide range of styles, but most designs fall into a few broad categories.

Shaker Cabinets

Shaker-style cabinets are popular because their simple lines work well with both traditional and contemporary kitchens.

Their clean appearance makes them particularly versatile. They can be paired with modern hardware and countertops or incorporated into a more traditional kitchen design.

Raised Panel Cabinets

Raised-panel doors typically have more traditional detailing and can give a kitchen a classic or formal appearance.

They are a good option when you want cabinetry with more visual detail.

Flat Panel Cabinets

Flat-panel or slab-style doors have a clean, streamlined appearance. They are commonly used in modern and contemporary kitchen designs.

The right cabinet style ultimately depends on the overall look you want to achieve.

3. Consider Cabinet Construction

Appearance is important, but construction quality also matters.

When comparing cabinets, look at details such as:

• Door construction
• Drawer construction
• Cabinet box materials
• Hinges and drawer hardware
• Shelving
• Interior finishes
• Available storage configurations

Different cabinet construction methods can affect durability, appearance, and price.

It's worth taking the time to understand what you're purchasing rather than choosing cabinets based solely on the door style or finish.

4. Select the Right Finish

The cabinet finish can dramatically change the appearance of your kitchen.

Popular options include:

• White
• Gray
• Natural wood tones
• Espresso and other dark finishes
• Painted finishes
• Stained finishes

When choosing a finish, consider your countertops, flooring, backsplash, walls, appliances, and lighting.

For smaller kitchens, lighter cabinet finishes can help create a brighter and more open appearance. Darker finishes can add contrast and create a dramatic look when balanced with the rest of the room.

If you're unsure about a color, consider the overall design rather than looking at the cabinet by itself.

5. Think About Storage and Functionality

Beautiful cabinets are important, but your kitchen also needs to work for the way you live.

Think about what you regularly store and how you use your kitchen.

For example, you may want:

• Deep drawers for pots and pans
• Pull-out storage for frequently used items
• Tall cabinets for additional storage
• Pantry cabinets
• Trash and recycling pull-outs
• Corner storage solutions
• Dedicated areas for small appliances
• Specialized drawer configurations

Consider your current storage problems and use the remodel as an opportunity to solve them.

A well-designed cabinet layout can make everyday tasks much easier.

6. Choose Cabinets That Fit Your Budget

Kitchen cabinets can represent a significant portion of a remodeling budget.

Before choosing specific products, establish a realistic budget for the entire project.

Remember that the cabinet cost is only one part of the kitchen remodel. Your project may also include:

• Countertops
• Appliances
• Flooring
• Lighting
• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Hardware
• Installation
• Backsplash
• Demolition and preparation

Understanding the overall project budget can help you determine how much you want to allocate toward cabinetry.

It's also important to compare cabinets based on their features and construction rather than simply choosing the least expensive option.

7. Measure Your Kitchen Carefully

Accurate measurements are critical when ordering kitchen cabinets.

Before finalizing an order, document important dimensions including:

• Wall lengths
• Ceiling height
• Door openings
• Window locations
• Window dimensions
• Appliance locations
• Plumbing locations
• Electrical outlets
• Existing soffits or obstacles

Even a small measurement error can affect cabinet placement.

If you're working with a kitchen designer or professional installer, have the measurements reviewed before placing the final order.

8. Think About Appliances Early

Your appliances should be considered before finalizing your cabinet layout.

Refrigerators, ranges, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and other appliances require specific amounts of space.

Make sure the cabinet plan accommodates the actual dimensions and installation requirements of your appliances.

This is especially important when replacing existing appliances with larger or differently configured models.

Planning appliances and cabinetry together helps ensure that everything fits properly.

9. Don't Forget Cabinet Hardware

Hardware may seem like a small detail, but knobs and pulls can have a significant effect on the finished appearance of your kitchen.

Hardware options include:

• Knobs
• Pulls
• Bar handles
• Cup pulls
• Integrated handles

Your hardware should complement the cabinet style and other finishes throughout the kitchen.

For example, simple hardware can reinforce a modern design, while more decorative hardware can work well in traditional kitchens.

10. Consider the Long-Term Design

Kitchen cabinets are not something most homeowners replace frequently.

Before committing to a particular style, consider whether you'll still like the design several years from now.

Trends can be useful for inspiration, but a timeless cabinet style can make it easier to update other parts of your kitchen later.

You can always change hardware, lighting, paint colors, backsplash materials, and accessories without replacing the cabinets themselves.

Final Thoughts

Choosing kitchen cabinets involves more than selecting a door color.

The best cabinet choice balances style, functionality, construction, storage, space, and budget.

Start by understanding your kitchen layout and measuring the available space. Then consider cabinet construction, door style, finish, storage requirements, appliances, and the overall remodeling budget.

Taking the time to plan these details before ordering can help you create a kitchen that looks great and works well for years to come.

Explore eCabinets to find cabinet options and inspiration for your next kitchen project.