As you get ready to build your dream home there are many tough decisions to make as to what materials to use and what style you would like in the home. What type of cabinets you use will determine the style and feel of your kitchen as well as some bathrooms. The cabinet style and color will help to determine the counter tops, flooring and other finish work. Once the cabinets are in place, it is not an easy change to switch them out. In the kitchen alone, cabinets will account for 60 to 70 percent of the cost, according to Better Homes and Gardens. Choosing the cabinets for your home is decision not to be taken lightly.

There are three main types of cabinets to choose from: stock, or standard, semi custom, and custom.

Deciding which cabinet type to go with depends a lot on your budget and your lifestyle requirements. As you are envisioning your new kitchen and bathrooms you need to decide which functions or types of cabinets you want to incorporate. Do you want a lazy susan; pull out drawers, and a wine rack? Do you need extra pantry storage for your large families food needs, or extra linen space in the bathrooms. These questions will help you figure the layout of your cabinets. As discussed above, the more custom your cabinets are the more options that become available.

The cost of the cabinets will be a large determining factor in your decisions. This once again depends on how custom your cabinets are but is also determined by the type of material that you choose. The following are the most common materials used for cabinetry. They are listed from least to most expensive: laminate, veneer, solid wood, and painted wood. Laminates are popular because they are easy to clean and come in a wide variety of colors and simulated patterns. Some laminates are more impact resistant than others, so be sure to ask the cabinet manufacturer if you decide to go with this type of material. Veneer and solid wood look very similar, but solid wood cabinets tend to hold up better through the years where there is high use. The veneer can tend to chip after a few years of use.

Other features to consider in your cabinet selection are knobs and handles and the door style. These features can help liven up any type of cabinets by adding to the certain style that you are striving for. Many people will want to search out antique or unique knobs and handles to accent the style of the room. Different door styles can range from recessed panels to curved raised designs. There are numerous door styles available from manufacturers.

Determining the interior style of the most used rooms in a house, mainly the kitchen, depends on the cabinets. The door style, types of knobs, color and material, and storage features are all important decisions in your kitchens and bathrooms. As you are getting ready to build or still searching through house plans, it is a good idea to talk to several manufacturers to see what are the best options to meet all of your needs. You may need to talk to some local cabinet makers in order to get custom cabinets to fit your dream home.