Kitchen cabinets establish your style and aesthetic and are the most visible focal point of any kitchen design. The process of choosing and designing custom cabinets can be harder than it may seem. From picking the right type of natural wood to choosing your stain color, each decision in custom cabinetry is important. There are so many ways to customize them today to become functional for daily use.

Whitewood Kitchens-Project: Acushnet, MA

The Basics of Building the Box

Your kitchen cabinet construction is one of the most important choices you’ll make in the long term usability of your kitchen. Understanding the quality of construction and materials used when building cabinet boxes can help you understand the wide range of price points that cabinets can cover.

Whitewood Kitchens-Project: New Bedford, MA

Depending on the intended daily use can help determine which level of materials should be used. Standard kitchen cabinet construction is made using particle board. They are heavy and dimensionally stable in a low moisture environment meaning they don’t warp, but when exposed to steam, moisture or liquid they can swell. The quality of the box is dependent on the quality of the particle board used.

Cabinets made using predominantly wood and custom built will cost more than a standard cabinet.

Riley Kitchen & Bath-Project: Barrington, RI

The Fundamentals of Fashioning the Frame

Inset Cabinets are doors and drawers that sit flush inside the cabinet frame, creating a seamless, modern look and offer more accessibility because the box is bigger and not limited by the frame. They require precise craftsmanship, making them generally more expensive. Overlay Cabinets are a more traditional and rest on top of the cabinet frame. This style is often easier to install and can be more cost-effective. There are Pros & Cons to both where inset offers a custom look but are pricier while overlay provides a more traditional appearance and are typically less expensive.

The Details of Designing the Door

A cohesive interior design relies on coordinating cabinet doors with other elements of a home. There are several different style doors, colors, wood species, hardware & glass inlays to consider. Whether you’re going for a Contemporary, Farmhouse, Traditional or Transitional Style there’s many options to consider. You’ll notice all of our Portfolio images are with the Shaker Style Doors which tends to be extremely popular.

My expert advise it to invest more in good quality cabinets where they are going to be getting the most usability such as the Kitchen & Primary Bath. Vacation homes, Laundry Rooms & Guest Baths could be more cost-effective. Working with a professional to design the right custom cabinets for your home can save you time, money & mistakes.

If you're ready to create a functional and fashionable home, reach out to us. We can't wait to hear about your custom cabinetry project.

Until next time,

Virginia