How To Choose the Perfect Kitchen Cabinets for Your New Orleans Home

Upgrading your kitchen with a new set of cabinets can completely transform the look and feel of your home's heart. But with so many options for styles, materials, sizes and more, choosing the perfect kitchen cabinets in New Orleans can feel overwhelming.

By considering factors like your personal style, storage needs, and budget, you can narrow down your choices. We'll walk through the key decision points to help you find beautiful, functional cabinets tailored to your home.

Evaluate Cabinet Materials and Finishes for Your Lifestyle

The materials and finishes you choose for your new kitchen cabinets will impact not only their appearance but also their durability. Consider which options best suit your family's needs:

• Solid wood cabinets made from oak, maple, cherry or other hardwoods have a timeless appeal. Though more expensive than other materials, their sturdy construction ensures years of daily use.
• Engineered wood like plywood and particleboard allows more affordable cabinet construction. Opt for thicker plywood panels for maximum sturdiness.
• Thermofoil, melamine, and laminate finishes apply durable plastic laminate to wood substrate. These affordable finishes resist scratches, stains, and moisture while requiring minimal upkeep.
• Painted finishes have grown popular for a more customized look, but require occasional touch-ups to protect the wood underneath.

For busy family kitchens, we recommend investing in solid wood or plywood boxes with high-pressure laminate (HPL) doors and drawers. This combination provides lasting quality with a budget-friendly finish that can stand up to heavy daily use.

Focus on Function with Storage Solutions and Organizers

Don't underestimate the power of intelligent storage design! Maximize every inch by selecting cabinets equipped with solutions like:

• Roll-out trays, lazy susans, and pull-out baskets in base cabinets and deep drawers
• Adjustable shelves, spice racks, divided cutlery trays, and other inserts for wall cabinets
• Blind corner base cabinet units to access hard-to-reach corners
• Appliance garages for stand mixers, coffee stations, and other countertop gadgets

Take measurements of your current space and storage pieces. This will help you choose new cabinets sized to fit all your essentials, with room to grow. Don't forget to account for rarely used items like platters and roasting pans.

Well-designed corners and pull-outs in your new cabinets can hold these bulky items that normally hog counter space. Work with your kitchen designer to strike the perfect balance of form and function.

Select a Style Aligned With Your Home's Character

While you probably use your kitchen daily for cooking and gathering, never underestimate its impact on your home's overall aesthetic. Fortunately, New Orleans designers offer a diverse range of cabinet styles to suit any home.

Match Traditional New Orleans Architecture

Classic ornate molding and carved details blend flawlessly into traditional architecture seen across New Orleans. While elaborate crown molding and raised panels suit French Quarter mansions, simpler Shaker style profiles feel at home in cozy Creole cottages.

Complement Modern and Transitional Kitchens

Clean lines, flat panels, and minimal adornments make a modern statement in contemporary homes. For a versatile transitional look, combine streamlined cabinet frames with traditional finished like glazed, rubbed-through paint.

Incorporate Unique Design Elements

Look beyond basic boxes to make your new kitchen truly one-of-a-kind. Glass-front cabinets maintain visual lightness, while integrated wine racks and display shelving add specialized storage. Don't forget the hardware details like Updated modern knobs and pulls provide the finishing touch.

Mixing finishes, like a painted island with traditional stained cabinets, introduces eye-catching contrast. Open shelving also blends seamlessly with classic closed cabinets. Consult kitchen pros to learn your options for customizing stock cabinets to match your personal taste.

Configure Cabinet Sizes and Layout for workflow

You likely have a vision for your dream kitchen. But dreams and reality don't always align. Ensure your vision transforms into an efficient working kitchen by choosing the right cabinet sizes and layout.

Take Measurements Beforehand

Grab a tape measure before even starting your cabinet search. Measure your full kitchen including wall lengths, windows, and doorways. Also note protruding vents, pipes, and other quirks that impact placement. Knowing the exact dimensions helps you create a realistic layout. Online planning tools allow you to experiment with configurations using your room's specifics. This takes the guesswork out of choosing standard-sized cabinets.

Maximize Every Inch of Space

While you may dream of sprawling cabinets, New Orleans kitchens demand smart space planning. Look for ways to maximize every inch, like with these tips:

• Extend cabinets fully to the ceiling for bonus storage
• Add roll-out shelves in blind base cabinet corners
• Opt for narrower cabinets like 12" wide sink base units
• Stack upper cabinets alongside full-height pantry units

A few custom-sized pieces can make an enormous difference. Just remember that specialty cabinets equate to higher prices. Focus customization on problem spots identified through careful planning.

Map Workflow from Fridge to Stove to Sink

Consider how you navigate when cooking and prepping meals. Position frequently accessed appliances like the fridge, stove, and sink in easy workflow sequence. Place items like pans and utensils nearby for grab-and-go convenience.

A thoughtfully orchestrated kitchen removes wasted steps and makes cooking feel more streamlined. You may be surprised what a difference a few shifted cabinet placements can make.

Functional Touches Personalize Your Cabinets

Beyond purely aesthetic enhancements, smart functional additions make your kitchen cabinets work for your real life.

Design for How You Cook and Dine

Determine your kitchen's primary purpose, whether daily family meals or creative cooking and entertaining. For avid home chefs, include extras like:

• Spice drawer organizers
• Deep pastry pull-out trays
• Cabinet inserts for stand mixers
• Pot lid racks for easy access

Self-hosting parties may call for built-in glassware racks and wine cooler cabinets. For quick family breakfasts, look for morning essentials like custom coffee station cabinets.

Incorporate Lifestyle-Specific Features

Kitchens also serve as command centers for our daily lives. Your cabinets can better support your routine with handy features like:

• Message boards to post reminders and papers
• Built-in charging stations to juice phones and tablets
• Cabinets with finished interiors to hide clutter
• Whiteboard painted cabinet for leaving notes and recipes

There are endless possibilities for specially tailored cabinets. Discuss your lifestyle needs with a kitchen designer to design your ideal custom functionality.

Select Colors and Textures to Enhance Your Decor

While color often comes down to personal preference, the right cabinet hue can shift the whole feeling of your kitchen. Cool-toned grays feel soothing, while warm wood tones invite relaxation. Here are some popular kitchen cabinet color options to consider:

• Timeless white for a fresh, spacious look
• Classic wood stains from honey oak to ebony
• Cool gray shades from fog to charcoal
• Inviting creams and antique whites
• Dramatic black for an upscale modern statement
• Warm neutral browns like beige and tan

Choosing two complementary cabinet colors keeps your design interesting. Try pairing navy blue lower cabinets with crisp white uppers. Or pick a neutral like gray for wall cabinets and add a pop of color on the island.

Beyond color, the texture of your cabinet materials and hardware impacts the overall look. Contrast sleek lacquered units with rough wood open shelving. Matte black hardware makes a modern, understated statement.

Sample finish swatches from several cabinet brands to find hues and textures that complement your existing decor. This ensures your new cabinets feel cohesive rather than disjointed.

Select Quality Brands and Products

With major cabinet purchases, it pays to know you're investing in quality. Seek out reputable brands known for exceptional materials, durable finishes, and solid construction. Here are signs you've found a quality product:

• All wood box construction with wood joinery rather than just particleboard
• Strong warranties of at least 5 years, ideally lifetime
• Positive reviews indicating good value for money
• Wide selection of accessories and organizational products
• US-based manufacturing facilities

Certain mid-priced brands balance quality with value over high-end names. Do some research to find the sweet spot pairing quality, selection, and budget.

Pay attention to country of origin, as imported products often lag on construction standards. Domestic brands better understand American kitchen needs. Working with a local designer also ensures you get cabinets suited for New Orleans homes.

Understand Your Budget and Financing

With a kitchen remodel spanning anywhere from $7,000 to $50,000, setting a realistic budget prevents sticker shock. Take time to:

• Get quotes from at least 3 cabinet suppliers
• Factor in added costs like installation, delivery, countertops
• Compare financing offers if not paying outright
• Watch for seasonal sales around holidays and slow seasons

With some smart shopping, you can likely refresh your kitchen for less than you may think. Focus investment on durable bones like cabinet boxes, then save with affordable organizational accessories and hardware.

Financing pieces over time can also ease the budget burden. Compare any offered financing deals and seek preapproval before finalizing design plans.

By understanding total costs and financing help available, choosing dream cabinets that fit your budget becomes possible.

The ideal kitchen artfully blends style, organization, and efficiency tailored to your needs. By carefully considering all the elements outlined above, you can confidently create a warm, welcoming kitchen space your New Orleans home deserves.

Take inspiration from showrooms and sites like Pinterest, then narrow choices using the tips above as your guide. With some thoughtful planning and expert help, you'll soon cook and entertain from a kitchen that truly feels like home.