A Guide to How to Make Kitchen Cabinets for a More Affordable Remodel
How to make kitchen cabinets is an important part of any kitchen remodel. New cabinets allow you to achieve a custom look without the big price tag of a major remodel. Kitchen cabinets can completely change the feel of the room. Look online for kitchen cabinet ideas and consider mixing and matching a number of styles for a more unique look.
Choosing Basic Cabinetry Designs
Most kitchen cabinets are about two feet deep. They’re usually around three feet tall. The standard depth is fourteen inches.
Start off by cutting the side panels. Use MDF that’s ¾ inches thick. Use this to cut out the cabinet side pieces. The side panels will be thirty-five inches high and twenty-four inches wide. You can add a toe kick by clamping a couple of the panels together. Use a jigsaw and cut a 3 x 5 notch into the bottom front corner of the panel. Unclamp the panels after they’ve been cut.
The bottom panel of the cabinets should be two feet deep. The width can change depending on your kitchen’s dimensions.
Cut out the two base panels next, using 1 x 6 lumber. Cut the lumber to the same width as the bottom panel. Not cut two pieces of the 1 x 6 to the exact same width, using these to brace the upper portion of the side panels.
The face panels can now be cut and they’ll make up the portion of the cabinet that’s viewable once installed. Because of this you’ll need to use attractive dimensional lumber.
Now put the base together by lining up the flat face of a base panel and the back edge of the bottom panel. Next, line up the second base piece a few inches from the other end of the bottom panel. This allows you to form a toe kick. Glue these pieces in place, then drill some pilot holes and secure the pieces together firmly using butt joints and screws. The side panels can now be added and attached to the base using a similar process.
Glue one of the upper braces in place, so that the flat plane is flush with the cabinet’s back edge. The second brace should be fitted and glued at the front.
Nail the back panel in place, tracing the outside frame of the back of the cabinet. You can cut the back of the panel from a half inch piece of plywood, then screw it in place. Use screws and brackets to reinforce all connections within the cabinet. Install four brackets for the shelves, then slide the shelves inside.
Using mitered joints, assemble the face pieces using dowels to secure the pieces together. Once that’s finished, nail the unit in place. The nails should be countersunk. Now use a stain or paint to finish each cabinet.
The cabinets are finally ready to be fitted into their location. They can be secured by placing a screw through the back panel and into the wall. Be sure to hit the wall studs.
Purchasing door panels will be much cheaper than making them and you won’t need to buy any special equipment. Install the panels according to the provided instructions.
Other Affordable Kitchen Remodel Ideas
You’ve probably heard that remodeling a kitchen can be one of the most expensive rooms in the home to do, and they definitely can be. But remodeling this room doesn’t have to be expensive if you take it piece by piece. What really makes a big difference in cost is the choice of materials. Solid granite countertops will definitely cost you more than your basic laminate, but if you shop around you’ll soon learn that the price of granite tends to widely vary. Go to as many shops as it takes until you find a slab you want at the right price. It can really pay off to shop around for labor and materials.
Being your own contractor can create more work if you have to screen a number of contractors instead of choosing one general contractor for the entire remodel. Not to mention you’ll have to take time off work to supervise and shop around to find the best price for all the supplies.
But if your remodel doesn’t include knocking out any walls or reconfiguring the layout of the kitchen, then making yourself the lead contractor can be a good way to cut costs significantly. But if you don’t have the slightest construction knowledge then hiring outside help is definitely the way to go. If you decide to hire a general contractor, be sure that the contract is very specific regarding what’s included when it comes to materials and labor.
Do some research and know what to look for if you decide to hire a contractor. This includes going to local showrooms to see countertop and cabinet options and combinations. This can help you to get a better sense of the different options out there.
Avoid moving gas and plumbing lines. Your kitchen remodel will cost you considerably less if you avoid making major changes to the layout.
Consider purchasing used cabinetry as a cheaper solution. Often, you can look online and find entire kitchens up for sale at lower prices marketed for faster sales.
Also keep your eye out for remnants of marble and granite. Many fabricators will have some stone left over from other jobs and they will usually sell these pieces for a fraction of the regular price.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on modern fixtures for your new kitchen. Hit up flea markets, thrift stores, swap meets and yard sales to find eclectic collections of new and used hardware from sconces to knobs and give your kitchen an edgier look. Many DIY remodelers enjoying going to flea markets and antique stores to find unique storage cabinets, hardware or wall décor to add to their remodels to give it a more custom feel.