The Complete Guide to Cabinets & Countertops.pdf

Few home improvements can transform the look and function of a room
more dramatically than new cabinets and countertops. Install a set of
cabinets in a laundry room, and suddenly the space is not only more
handsome, it’s actually a more pleasant and efficient place for washing
clothes. Another popular improvement, new kitchen countertops, can
completely revitalize the appearance of the room while improving storage
and adding durable work surfaces. Even areas that you don’t normally
think of as cabinetry rooms, like bedrooms and mudrooms, can reap
enormous benefits from a few strategically placed cabinets.
As useful and as beautiful as they can be, however, even modest
cabinets and countertops represent a significant investment in time, money,
and effort. You’ll want to choose carefully so that you install permanent
home furnishings that meet your storage and work-surface needs perfectly,
while fitting in with your décor for a long time to come.
The truth is, appearance and function are inextricably intertwined in
these high-impact home elements. Some countertops are tough enough to
withstand hot pots, fend off knife cuts, and resist stains: quite possibly
your primary objective. Others are fabulously attractive, but a little less
tough. On the cabinetry side, you can choose a traditional face-frame
cabinet style that practically assures you’ll have no design failures, but at
the expense of maximizing your storage space and perhaps doing
something a little more creative.