Remodeling a kitchen requires you to make several choices and decisions before you can begin. From determining your color scheme to choosing a counter height to selecting appliances, you have many options to consider. You may be asking yourself when remodeling a kitchen, what should I pick first?

When remodeling a kitchen, the first thing you should pick is your cabinetry. Cabinetry fills a great deal of space in your kitchen and is one of the first things people notice upon entering. There are numerous features, styles, colors, and materials to choose from for your cabinets. 

Cabinet Features

You want your kitchen cabinets to be functional and suit the needs of your cooking habits. Storage efficiency should be a top priority when making your selections. If you use various types of utensils, then you may want to consider including drawers. If you use several small appliances, like a mixer and blender, then you may want a countertop hutch. Some additional features and styles to consider are:

• Chef’s pantry
• Pullout pantry
• Roll-out pantry
• Wall cabinet pantry
• Pullout base cabinet storage
• Spice storage drawer cabinet
• Corner carousel shelf
• Trash pull out cabinet
• Open shelving
• Built-in wine rack

Cabinet Style and Material

You have options for cabinet door styles to include shaker, inset, or flat. Traditionally, cabinets are made from wood such as:

• Cherry
• Mahogany
• Maple
• Oak
• Birch
• Pine

Depending on your budget and style, you may want to use a material other than wood, such as stainless steel, laminate, or thermofoil. You can also include some glass cabinet doors to showcase your fine China or other dishes.  

Cabinet Color and Finish

Selecting a color for your cabinets is a big decision. Maybe you like the natural wood look and decide to do a stain rather than a paint color. Or maybe you prefer some color and variety and will choose to do your bottom cabinets a different color than your top. You should keep durability and ease of cleaning in mind when selecting a paint finish.

Cabinet Hardware

There are many things to consider when choosing the hardware for your cabinets. Do you want knobs or pulls on your cabinet doors and drawers? It is important to pick a color and finish that is cohesive with your appliances and light fixtures. You will also need to select hinges for your cabinets. Hinges can be on the inside of the cabinet, or you can choose more ornate ones that are visible on the outside.