Las Cruces Kitchen Cabinets

Las Cruces kitchen cabinets store the necessities for life. The kitchen is the center of a Las Cruces home, with more foot traffic, stains and activity than any other room. Las Cruces itself is the center of the Mesilla Valley and now the center for space travel.

Since the unveiling of Spaceport America in October of 2010, New Mexico has moved into being the liftoff point for private spaceships. Their imaginative design has inspired New Mexico home kitchen architecture and design as well. As you look to remodel your home, think like Richard Branson; the sky's the limit.

Cabinet Basics

Whether you have a traditional Las Cruces home, or you are looking to add a contemporary design element, some choices remain the same. You must choose if you want your Las Cruces kitchen cabinets to be stock ready, semi-custom or custom made. Consider height, appliances, kitchen efficiency, measurements and material preference when deciding the level of customization you will need.

Generally, stock cabinetry is cheaper than customized cabinetry. However, this is not the rule. You can buy a set of hardwood cherry cabinets that are more expensive than a set done with a cheaper wood by a custom NM woodworker.

If you are looking at a whole kitchen remodel, rather than the simple replacement of a set of Las Cruces kitchen cabinets, then consider calling a Las Cruces architect, contractor, carpenter or designer certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Kitchen decisions should be made with a mind to their durability, ease of cleaning and attractiveness over time.

Modern Materials

Before evaluating design, you should stop to consider materials. At one time, all cabinets were made of wood. They were made in a variation of a framed design; the rough edges were covered by a strip of wood, similar to a picture frame.

Today's Las Cruces kitchen cabinets are much more versatile. They can be made with laminate, veneer, plywood and even glass or metal. More often than not, they are a mixture of these materials. For example, a hardwood door and a plywood box, or a wooden box with wood and glass door.

You can now buy frame-less cabinets because of the advent of modern construction methods. Laminate, veneer and plywood Las Cruces kitchen cabinets are pressed together firmly without using many nails. The result is a sleek design and more space inside the cabinet box itself.

Incorporate the sleek design of stainless steel appliances into your look. Better yet, build your kitchen like a beautiful space ship. Built-in, or recessed cabinets have grown in popularity and availability.

Instead of installing Las Cruces kitchen cabinets and then placing your refrigerator, stove or grill inside the empty spaces, recess them deeply into cabinet spaces. A NM carpenter can take panel and cover the open areas, or even cover the doors, for a classy aerodynamic look. This is either a semi-custom or custom option that is affordable when installing and buying cupboards.

Reuse, Recycle

Another way that Las Cruces kitchen cabinets are being updated for the new millennia is through the LOHAS movement. Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability is an initiative that educated people on how to make choices that are healthy for themselves and the environment. Even if you are not an active part of this movement, their tenants can help you improve the quality of your Las Cruces building decisions.

If you choose a cabinet design made with plywood, make sure it is not made with a urea-formaldehyde resin. This bonding material was once commonly used to press wood pieces together to create a durable building material. It has recently been found to release formaldehyde gas when it comes into contact with high heat, like a grill or boiling kettle. Formaldehyde gas can cause a number of respiratory problems. Inquiring about your wood can improve your air quality.

Another LOHAS decision is to buy local. If you want to buy locally grown hardwood, then NM chokecherry is a good choice. However, this state mills also make plywood that can be used in cabinetry. Use Las Cruces labor, if possible, and enjoy supporting the community.

Another great, sustainable option is the reuse of wood. In custom cabinetry, you can commission the use of wood taken from barns or factories. It has darkened with time and use, to create a distressed look. If you don't want all your cabinets made out of this wood, consider installed an island covered with recycled wood or metal as the statement piece of your Las Cruces kitchen cabinets.

As you add the final touches, ask about vertical cabinetry, prep space, and task lighting. Music and DVD systems can add to your high tech cabinets. Your Las Cruces kitchen cabinets need to be a culinary machine, feeding your New Mexico family and lifestyle with the necessary energy to support your modern life.