CustomCabinets

Classic Cabinets

Classic cabinets are one of those home improvement purchases that will likely pay for itself in the long run. There's nothing quite like adding a classic look to your kitchen or bathroom cupboards with a set that is traditional in nature. Such materials never go out of style, and they provide long-lasting benefits to your home. With such cupboards in your home, you're sure to see a boost in your home's resale value, should you ever decide to put it on the market.

Finding a Classic Look

Classic cabinets are pretty easy to find. You can visit a custom woodworker, who will likely be able to recreate almost any style of cupboards that you want, providing a classic look at the same time. Some of the big-box hardware stores also will carry this type of product, although you won't have some of the options for finding a unique look here as you would with a custom workshop. Just shop around a little bit, and you're sure to find some great cabinets that will enhance the look and feel of your home.

Another option for classic cabinets that many people don't seem to think about is a store that recycles or refurbishes cabinets that have been removed from homes. When you want a truly classic look, these types of stores are a great option, as they may have some older styles of cupboards that have been removed from vintage homes. Obtaining a similar type of vintage look from newer cupboards simply doesn't occur very often. As an added benefit, you'll probably save a bit of money versus a new unit.

As you're looking around for your classic cabinets, be sure that you bring a camera. One of the best ways to help you figure out which type of cupboards you will want in your home is to compare several candidates side by side. However, if you find one set of cabinets at a big box store, one set at a recycling store, and one at a custom maker, you won't be able to see them side by side, unless you shoot photos of each unit and then compare them later at home.

Vintage Cupboard Materials

Depending on the classic cabinets that you want in your kitchen or bathroom, you may have some different types of materials to choose from. If you're looking for a vintage option from the early part of the 20th century, you will want to stick with wooden cabinets only. However, if you want a classic look that involves a more modern design, you may be able to add in some metal or glass to the cabinets. Metal and glass aren't always considered a classic design for cupboards, but they can provide a vintage look, if used correctly.

If you're looking for a particular style of classic cabinets from a particular time frame, you will probably have to avoid the big box stores and stick with recycled materials or work with a custom build from a woodworker. There's little chance an off-the-shelf unit will be able to give you just the look you want. If you choose to employ a custom woodworker for this type of project, just be sure that you provide him or her with some drawings or sample photographs.

Another way you can give your wooden classic cabinets just the right look is to use a particular finish or stain on them. Refinishing a set of cupboards can be a lot of work, but it can allow you to keep the vintage materials that are already installed in your home, just giving them a fresh look that's more in line with the vintage style you want in this project. Just be sure that the type of wood you have can be used with the type of stain and finishing products that you have chosen. You may need a professional's help to make sure your refinishing project will work.

Don't discount the type of hardware you'll install on your classic cabinets, as the handles and drawer pulls can definitely contribute to the vintage look and feel of your cupboards. The design of the handles is important, but so is the type of metal from which they're made. A brushed nickel look is vastly different from stainless steel, for example. A great source for vintage hardware is the recycling store described earlier.

As you look to undertake a classic cabinets home improvement project, be sure you've considered all of the costs involved when setting your budget. Some projects will require extensive refinishing work, while others will only need to be hung as they are. If you need help with the installation, be sure to include that cost in your project's estimated price, as the labor required to hang cupboards can be as expensive as the units themselves.