A kitchen is a highly specialized and functional area that requires good planning if it is to be a place you enjoy being in. Before ordering your kitchen cabinet, you need to think about what exactly you want out of your new kitchen layout, what needs are currently met, and what features of your kitchen you are prepared to compromise for a better set up.

There is no point however, in dreaming up elaborate ideas if your kitchen will be unable to hold them. A good grasping of how space will be utilized is of extreme importance, especially if you have a very small kitchen. There will be basic functions that you might need your new kitchen to fulfil, such as efficient storage, work area, good lighting and ventilation. Check on the layout of your kitchen (including where the windows and doors are) and then decide where you want your kitchen cabinet installed.

Kitchen cabinets come in three different levels of flexibility; the most flexible being custom cabinets and stock cabinets being the least. Semicustom cabinets are already decided upon design wise, by the manufacturer, but you get to choose the exact size that is required for it to fit into your kitchen.

Most kitchens are installed with stock cabinets because it is considered the least expensive, but if none of them fit your requirement, then you’ll need to consider designing a custom kitchen cabinet setup tailor made for your specific needs.

Read MoreMay 21, 2009 3:03 pm - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

Thinking of hiring a cabinet maker to build the custom cabinet you have in mind? You need to first identify the qualities a good cabinet maker possesses in order to evaluate him better.

When looking to contract cabinet makers, make sure that they are licensed and insured. There are many organizations online that provide a database of cabinet makers you can choose from. The advantage of this kind of search is that most of these databases have a minimum entry criterion for cabinet makers to be listed so you know they measure up to a certain standard. The down side is that these websites rely a lot on paper qualifications and you’ll need to dig a little deeper in order to find some one that can work with your specifications.

A better way of evaluating cabinet makers is through customer referrals. These too can be found on online sites but you would be better off following recommendations from someone you know and can trust. Getting a cabinet maker referred through contacts is a much more viable option because you can see physical proof of their work and also get in depth information about a cabinet maker’s professionalism and commitment.

Most cabinet makers are well known for their excellent craftsmanship and their names tend to bounce around quite a bit on online discussion boards and cabinet making websites. Keep an eye out for those. Well established cabinet makers may also have a portfolio of their work on their site so you can gauge their woodworking skills and styles and if these will work for you.

Read MoreFebruary 28, 2009 8:35 am - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

If you have read bits and pieces on interior decor or tried building a home before, you would probably know that there are two kinds of bathroom vanities, just like kitchen sets, bedrooms or any other furnishing/ décor fit for a specific space in the house. These two types are custom design bathroom vanities and prefabricated ones. Obvious enough, customised sets are the ‘one of a kind’ varieties that customers can select / design / modify according to their choices (better done with the assistance of a professional interior designer). These sets can be produced to fit any dimension, requirement, budget, colour code or style.

On the other hand, prefabricated bathroom vanities are pre designed ones that are used as units to fit into home, apartment or hotel bathrooms. Even though, these are not the most popular type, they are definitely cheaper and more convenient. Purchasing prefabricated bathroom vanities, is a matter of heading to a showroom or getting your hands on a webpage/ home decor magazines, and selecting whatever that fits you.

This may lead you to believe that by choosing prefabricated bathroom vanities for your home may hinder you from being able to beautify the washroom space according to your choice. However, if you select the right pieces that fit with the theme of the rest of the house, you will definitely find a place to fit in your creativity in the prefabricated bathroom.

Read MoreNovember 29, 2008 10:24 am - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

Here’s the truth. Some things are better done alone and other things don’t last in one piece for over a few minutes if you don’t have experience in assembling/ producing them. Kitchen cabinets are definitely not one of those things you can do alone unless you have years of practical experience and a skilled helper.

First and foremost, you need to remember that things like kitchen cabinets are made for a lifetime. Having broken, squeaking or cracking kitchen cabinets can be frustrating to the inhabitant of the house. In fact, when it comes to installing the doors, setting up shelves, pivoting and fixing locks, professionals have more experience. They would know the best brands of products and the most tactful ways to put everything together.

Most of the time, working on kitchen cabinets can hinder other work from processing as usual, in the kitchen. This too can be irritating. Thus, getting the dimensions of the cabinet space and preparing the wooden planks, glass sheets, etc, outside the kitchen will be convenient for all. Here again, professional cabinet makers know all the quick tips. There is no trial and error in things like these.

If an inch is mistakenly measured or a screw is placed in the wrong edge, the entire cabinet can easily come apart, not just making hard earned money go a waste, but also wasting so much time. All these possible mishaps can be avoided by hiring a cabinet maker with experience in the area.

Read MoreSeptember 18, 2008 10:02 pm - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

Kitchens have their fair share of pests and steps need to be taken to prevent infestation. If your cabinets are made of wood, then you can probably expect a swarm of termites eating into the woodwork and weakening the structure of your kitchen cabinets. Though these pests do not have negative implications on health, if left ignored can ruin your expensive hardwood kitchen set up and cost you a lot of money. The best way to deal with these pests would be to call in the professionals. Termite exterminators and pest control companies can get rid of the termites and treat the wood to prevent future infestations. It is a good idea to go for treated wood prior to the construction of your custom kitchen cabinet and do constant check ups for termites in the woodwork.

Other common pests that infest kitchen cabinets include cockroaches. Unlike termites, these pests are in for what the cabinets hold (i.e.: food) rather than the cabinets themselves. A cockroach infestation can be a nuisance because they are quite hardy and difficult to get rid of, plus they crawl all over the place, laying their eggs in kitchen utensils and chewing into food. Cockroaches can present a very grave health problem and can spread to other parts of the house if not dealt with quickly enough. You can either opt to bring in the professionals or try to eradicate yourself.

In any case good pest care for your cabinets flow along the lines being better safe than sorry and a few precautionary measures in the kitchen can go a long way in keeping your cabinets and your family safe.

Read MoreJuly 5, 2008 4:39 pm - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

Choosing colours for kitchen furniture and the room itself means that you will have to do a lot of research on what style you would want and what the appearance should say. White is always a very classy colour. It will make the room look large and give enough light; however you have to put in more effort to maintain it over the years. Or even going with pale yellow will give your kitchen a lively touch. It will also make the rest of the house seem more sophisticated.

It is important to remember that kitchen furniture is different from furniture in other rooms. In a kitchen even the refrigerator can be considered as furniture. Red and white are preferred colours for kitchen furniture which gives the room a very bright and modern look. Making your kitchen brown and choosing a wooden look can give the house a very homely feel. It will make your kitchen look quite luxurious. Pink kitchen furniture has been around for a while and if you want to give it fifties vibe then this would be ideal. In a bright kitchen, such as a yellow or white kitchen, make the lighting dim. It will give it a good ambience and setting. These are a few ideas that you can use when deciding colours for your kitchen, but make sure you get a few opinions before you settle into one idea because you will have to live the rest of your life with it.

Read MoreMay 22, 2008 11:49 am - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

If the amount of dishes and bowls on your kitchen cabinets requires a huge amount of effort, you know you are facing a dilemma. The entire process of saving space will need a bit of free time, but hey! doesn’t anything? First and foremost evaluate your kitchen cabinets. Do you have plates that are only used during a special occasion? Do you have bowls and plates stacked one on top of the other? The key is organisation. Find another spot for those plates that are preserved for guests. You can try and hang cups on hooks, purchase racks so that you can keep your bowls and mugs and other stuff.

You should store bottles and jars of spices in a rack that is attached to the wall. The spices that you use regularly should be stored on the rack and the rest must be bottled in plastic containers. A new technique that is used for saving space is hanging pots and pans from the ceiling. That is a very convenient method because you will be able to remove it whenever you need it. You may have seen it in a number of movies or television series. When it comes to your utensils, it is best if you can purchase a utensil holder. The entire process of saving space might cost you a little bit of cash but in the long run, you will not have to get frustrated with finding what you need. In fact it is an overall investment.

Read MoreMarch 29, 2008 10:18 pm - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

Getting the right cabinet depends on how much of information you are able to provide your cabinet maker. To be frank, what you do need to be aware about when getting a new set of cabinets would be the right dimensions. First and foremost, once you do get the right cabinet maker; ensure that you show him or her exact location where you plan to have the cabinets.

Measurements that include the ceiling height, the dimensions of the back wall, and the window size should be taken right down to the last inch. Moreover, it would make sense that when you consider cabinet making, to take into consideration the measurements of the appliances you plan on having as well. This is imperative since measurements do differ from brand to brand.

The tips indicated above would give you and your cabinet maker some indication of how to begin the process of getting that spanking new set of kitchen cabinets. More often than not, it is attention to detail and the proper craftsmanship that will ensure that you enjoy superlative quality. Yet having said that; there have been too many occasions where homeowners and cabinet makers alike have not considered the basic factors that help in having a classy kitchen.

Read MoreJanuary 4, 2008 1:36 pm - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

When considering bathroom vanities, remember that while style and class are certainly important, so too is the colour scheme that you employ. Indubitably, what you as an individual should do is reflect on your own personal style and taste, If you feel that you as an individual are quaint and opulent, then the Victorian trend would be ideal for you. If you feel you are a no-nonsense type who prefers to have a simple ambience, then maybe you would choose the minimalist trend. Either way, every single trend does require a colour palette of sorts.

The best way you can approach this is to seek customization. With the ideal type of cabinet making company on your side, you could match and choose the right type of colour for your bathroom vanities. Remember that at the end of the day, what is important is choosing something that is uniform. As a rule of thumb, using soft blues and pinks are easy on the eyes and are comforting. Following this trend would be ideal. Yet again, it all depends on what you want as an individual. All in all, just ensure that you choose wisely and get the right kind of feedback from a professional before you do make a choice.

Read MoreNovember 17, 2007 8:45 pm - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers

Efficient utilization of space especially in kitchens is of prime importance and many designers are coming up with innovative ideas to do just that.

A recent challenge for both designers and architects gave birth to the ingenious rotating kitchen idea. This contraption looks like a giant expansion tool and is pretty funky to boot. There is single storage compartment (a fridge) at one end while the other end is made up of chunky functional layers that can be revolved on a single axis individually. They can all be lined up against the wall when not in use and is somewhat similar in application to the sofa bed. The bottom layer is a counter top and cabinet on wheels while the middle and top layer consists of storage and cooking elements such as in built ovens and microwaves. These rotating kitchens are still in the test market stage and will probably be introduced later next year.

Another breakthrough in space saving design brings kitchen functionality onto one compact table. This table (known as the cook ‘n roll table) contains some really nifty technological details that are quite mind blowing such as the flexible sensory cleaning sticks set to replace the traditional dishwasher (and traditional water too) plus the inductive cooking surface, infrared oven and innovative automatic sink.

There is also the customisable kitchen that replaces kitchen furniture with units reminiscent of childhood building blocks that can be moved around the kitchen area to create the perfect layout. These units can also be suspended to create an illusion of floating in space.

Read MoreAugust 11, 2007 10:13 am - Posted by Perth Cabinet Makers