Custom kitchen cabinets allow homeowners to truly personalize their kitchen design. With custom cabinets, you can select the wood species, finish, door style, and storage solutions that fit your needs and style perfectly. Here’s what you need to know about custom kitchen cabinets.
Benefits of Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Custom cabinets offer several advantages over stock cabinetry:
Exactly What You Want
With custom cabinets, every detail can be customized, from the size and layout to the materials and hardware. This allows you to create a kitchen that suits your cooking needs, storage requirements, and aesthetic taste.
Quality Materials
Custom cabinets are typically made from higher-quality solid hardwoods like maple, cherry, and oak. Sturdier plywood construction and stronger joinery create cabinets that will last.
Unique Style
From Shaker to modern, traditional to coastal, custom cabinets come in virtually endless styles. Personalize further with custom stains, glazes, and finishes.
Storage Solutions
Maximize every inch with customized storage features like roll-out trays, spice drawers, lazy susans, and pull-out mixer shelves designed for your space.
Fit for Your Kitchen
Precisely fit cabinets to your kitchen’s dimensions, including angled walls, soffits, and uneven floors. Avoid bulky filler pieces.
Custom Cabinet Door Styles
The door style you choose for your custom kitchen cabinets makes the biggest impact on their look and feel. Consider these popular options:
Shaker
Clean and simple Shaker-style cabinets pair well with many kitchen designs. Their streamlined recessed-panel doors and basic trim lend a timeless look.
Craftsman
Craftsman cabinetry features visible exposed joinery on cabinet frames giving. Rich wood tones with understated, sturdy hardware give off an “arts and crafts” vibe.
Transitional
Split the difference between traditional and contemporary with versatile transitional cabinetry. Slab door fronts with minimal adornments strike a modern yet familiar look.
Modern
Achieve a sleek, contemporary style with slab-style thermofoil or veneer cabinet doors in glossy lacquers or bold satin colors for a seamless, sculptural look.
Rustic
Knotty pine and similarly rustic woods with visible grains paired with worn finishes like glazing create the laid-back charm of rustic cabinets. Iron hardware completes the look.
Custom Cabinets: Materials & Finishes
Choosing finishes and materials for cabinets requires balancing aesthetics, durability, and budget. Here are top options:
Wood Species
Maple and oak are top choices for stain-grade cabinets. Maple has a smooth, uniform finish while oak has dramatic grains. Cherry reddens beautifully over time but shows wear. Choose durable hickory for painted cabinets.
Plywood vs. Particleboard
Plywood offers strength while particleboard is prone to sagging over time. Opt for plywood cabinet boxes for longevity. Use moisture-resistant plywood for cabinets near sinks.
Laminates
Thermofoil laminate resists chipping and scratching. Opt for wood-grain patterns for realism. High-gloss laminates make a contemporary statement. Laminates keep costs down.
Stains & Glazes
Stains in shades like espresso to natural wood hues show off wood grains. Glazes (thin paint-like coats) add worn, vintage appeal. Combine stains and glazes to create depth.
Paints & Lacquers
Painted finishes give cabinets a fresh, updated look. Choose satin or semi-gloss for easy cleaning. Lacquers offer a super-durable glossy finish in bold colors.
Custom Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet hardware finishes the custom cabinetry look. Keep these principles in mind:
Matching Styles
Choose hardware that aligns with your cabinet door style. Delicate brass knobs suit Shaker style while chunky barn slider pulls match rustic designs.
Finishes
Select cabinet hardware finishes that coordinate with your cabinet colors and materials. For white cabinets, opt for brushed nickel or chrome. Use antique copper hardware for stained wood cabinetry.
Functionality
Ensure pulls and knobs fit your lifestyle and needs. Opt for soft-close hinges and full-extension drawers. Use handy pull-out shelves for specialized storage needs.
Mix & Match
Don’t be afraid to use different hardware finishes and styles throughout your kitchen. Varying metals and finishes can add interest while still appearing coordinated.
Custom Cabinet Layout Tips
Creating an efficient and organized layout ensures your new custom cabinets maximize your kitchen’s potential. Follow these guidelines:
Gather Input
Have all household members review cabinet layouts and share how they use the kitchen. This allows the designer to meet everyone’s storage needs.
Maximize Corners
Use angled cabinet designs or blind corner pull-out units to access tricky corner cabinet spaces. This efficiently utilizes valuable kitchen real estate.
Zone Areas
Group cabinets categorized by usage into different zones. Place cooking essentials near the range while glassware and dishes live closer to the sink.
Mix Sizes
Incorporate a mix of larger and smaller cabinets to hold both oversized cookware and small gadgets. Varying sizes prevents a monotonous look.
Allow For Growth
Leave room for future expansion. You can start with a cabinet foundation and add on as needs arise. Building in flexibility ensures your custom cabinetry endures.
Custom Cabinet Costs
Because they are built to your exact specifications, custom cabinets typically cost more than stock cabinets. However, you’ll be getting a higher-quality, longer-lasting product customized to you. Expect to pay:
- Economy-Grade Custom Cabinets: $100-$200 per linear foot
- Mid-Range Custom Cabinets: $200-$300 per linear foot
- Premium Custom Cabinets: $300+ per linear foot
Many factors affect overall cost, including materials, door styles, finish options and complexity of design and installation. Focus on value over initial price, as custom cabinets add functionality, beauty and resale value to your home for decades to come.
Hiring a Custom Cabinet Maker
To ensure your custom cabinets meet your expectations, hire an experienced professional cabinetmaker. Look for:
- 5+ years experience with examples of past custom cabinet projects
- Cabinetry training and certifications
- Knowledge of the latest tools, techniques, and trends
- A detailed process covering design, production, installation, and follow-up
- Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship
- Excellent references from past clients
Investing in exquisitely crafted custom cabinets gives you the personalized, functional kitchen you’ve always dreamed of having. Take the time to carefully design and build cabinets tailored specifically for you. The results will be stunning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do custom kitchen cabinets last?
Top-quality custom cabinets typically last 25-30 years or more with proper care and maintenance. Their durable solid wood construction and hand-crafted quality give them a long lifespan.
What are the most popular custom cabinet styles?
Transitional and Shaker styles are today’s most popular custom cabinet designs. Their simple, clean lines provide versatility to fit both traditional and contemporary kitchens.
What custom cabinets are best for resale value?
Neutral-colored Shaker or Transitional style cabinets tend to appeal to the widest range of homebuyers. High-end materials like solid wood also boost value.
Should I get plywood or particle board cabinets?
Plywood is stronger and resists sagging over time. Particle board is prone to moisture damage. Plywood is the better choice for cabinet boxes, but opt for moisture-resistant plywood near sinks.
What is the most durable custom cabinet finish?
High-gloss lacquer provides the most durable finish and easiest cleaning. Polyurethane varnish also offers excellent protection for stained wood cabinets.
Should I get matching cabinet hardware?
Matching hardware gives a unified, designer look. However, creatively mixing finishes and styles can inject personality and visual interest.
In summary, when designed thoughtfully, custom kitchen cabinets offer storage, functionality, beauty and value no stock cabinetry can match. Collaborating with a skilled craftsman guarantees cabinets tailored to your lifestyle that will stand the test of time. What are you waiting for? Start designing your dream custom kitchen today!
