If you're having new kitchen cabinets installed, it's important to focus not only on looks but also on the features you choose. The right features can make working in your kitchen simpler and more efficient. Here's a look at five kitchen cabinet features that will make your life easier.

Rollout Drawers

Tray-like drawers that roll out on casters are much easier to keep organized than conventional push drawers because they allow you to see all of the way to the back of the drawer while also opening it with ease. You can even pull the tray entirely out and set it on the counter to organize the items within it.

Pull-out Cutting Boards

If you want to avoid taking up your valuable counter space with bulky cutting boards or giving up valuable counter-space for a built-in one, then consider a pull-out cutting board for your kitchen. When you need it, all you have to do is pull -- and when you want to get rid of it, the cutting board disappears into your cabinetry with a gentle push. Its front looks just like that of a drawer, so it blends in.

Automatic Interior Lights

Finding what you need in a dimly lit kitchen late at night can be tough. With automatic interiors lights that light up every time you open a cabinet, you'll never struggle to find the right mug or plate again.

Slide-Out Garbage Slot

This handy little feature consists of a separate lower cabinet made just for a tall, kitchen garbage can, plus a little platform on wheel casters. Open the cabinet and give the garbage can a gentle tug towards you, and the platform slides out, allowing you to place your garbage inside with a lot less mess, or empty the can without a struggle.

Spice Drawers

Little jars of spices seem to get everywhere inside your drawers or cupboards, and it is hard to find spice racks that fit inside a cabinet properly. A built-in spice drawer with little slots for each of your spices solves this problem. Some even come with a set of matching containers and labels, so you can keep your spice collecting looking classy.

If you want a kitchen cabinet system that works for you rather than against you, consider including some of the above features in your design. Talk to your contractor to learn about other cabinet features that fit your lifestyle. One company that may be able to meet your needs is Sierra Remodeling & Home Builders Inc.