Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops, Chosen as a Pair

What to look for in cabinetry

Every cabinet door looks similar in a showroom. The difference shows up years later under the sink, where a leak or a dripping dishwasher will swell a weak box. Look inside: the box material, how the back is attached, and what the drawers run on. Plywood boxes, solid bottoms and full-extension, soft-close slides hold up far better than stapled particleboard.

Layout matters just as much. Drawers in the base cabinets let you see and reach everything without kneeling, which is why most kitchens we plan use them for pots, dishes and pantry goods. Taller uppers that reach the ceiling remove the dust shelf on top and add storage for things you use a few times a year. Filler strips and panels are planned so appliances and doors clear each other.

Countertops from template to install

Countertops are measured only after the cabinets are in, level and fastened. The fabricator templates from the real boxes, so any wall that is out of square or any cabinet that sits slightly proud is captured. This is also when seam locations are agreed. Seams belong in straight runs, away from the sink and cooktop, and on patterned stone they should be placed where the veining can be matched.

Quartz is consistent, non-porous and low-maintenance, though it should be protected from very hot pans. Quartzite and granite are natural stone, tolerate heat well and need periodic sealing. With natural stone, it is worth visiting the slab yard to choose your actual slabs, because two slabs of the same name can look quite different. For a broader side-by-side of materials, see the comparison table in our Dallas kitchen remodeling overview.

Edges and the details you touch

An eased or slightly rounded edge is the most practical: it is comfortable to lean on and resists chipping. Thicker mitered edges give a slab a heavier look on an island. Undermount sinks need solid support below the stone and a clean polished cutout. Faucet holes, soap dispensers and a hole for a water filter tap are all drilled at fabrication, so fixtures should be chosen beforehand.

The finished counter then becomes the base for the tile above it. How height, outlets and lighting are coordinated is covered in planning your backsplash and under-cabinet lighting.