[RWebb]

Do you need new cabinets? All of them?
Maybe just reface existing?

If new ones:
- mdf is the work of Satan and it outgasses some nasty stuff (from the glue)
- wheat board is the claimed eco-friendly alternative to mdf, but you can get charged out the wazzo by eco-$$ types for it

- good plywood is GOOD but limits construction techniques

decide on Euro style or US style construction - or a hybrid

cabinets are spendy 'cuz there is a ton of labor in them -- you may be able to make them yourself if you have access to a shop and some skill

you can get custom cabinets, semi-custom, or std.s

the most important thing to get quality drawer slides - you can change the knobs/pulls later


search around for used high-end appliances....

if you tear out existing cabinets, then think hard about more outlets and wiring for various appliances and lights

the CRITICAL thing in a kitchen is work-flow and the "triangle" of work stations...