Custom Kitchen Cabinets

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The main attraction of your home is your kitchen and to really make your space one of a kind, custom kitchen cabinets are the way to go. Here’s Your House Your Garden’s guide to everything you need to know about custom kitchen cabinets.

Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Buying Guide

Cabinet Accessories

Also known as add-ons, you can add display shelves or tray dividers to organize and store different ingredients, pots, or pans. You can also choose a cabinet that will have a trash can pull out or a spice rack pull out to save space. In addition to utensils, a cabinet can be customised with a cutlery or knife block drawer.

Cabinet Grades

Depending on your budget, you can choose from the following cabinet grades which differ in construction quality:

  • Custom Cabinets: the most expensive option is 100% made-to-order which means that you have complete control over its accessories, construction, style, and material.
  • Ready-to-assemble (RTA) Cabinets: these are a more affordable option that is often found in IKEA. They are not as durable as other types of kitchen cabinets.
  • Semi-custom Cabinets: these mid-range cabinets can be stock cabinets with custom parts (e.g., shelving, doors, accessories.) Semi-custom cabinets can also be part of a made-to-order collection from a manufacturer where you have a variety of sizes and materials to choose from.
  • Stock Cabinets: bought directly from manufacturers, you do not have as much variety because they are often specific or standard sizes. However, stock options are affordable, better quality than RTA options, and are offered in a wide selection of materials. 

Cabinet Builds

There are two cabinet styles to choose from:

Framed Cabinets: in addition to your cabinet, there is a face frame that is attached to the front of your cabinet box as reinforcement for attaching drawers and doors.

Frameless Cabinets: your kitchen can also have a frameless cabinet that has a thicker cabinet box to directly attach drawers and doors. 

Cabinet Door Overlay

You will also need to choose how much frame you would like to be visible on your doors. 

  • Full Overlay: this type of overlay requires hardware because there is little space between doors and drawers. A full overlay covers most of your custom cabinetry’s face frame.
  • Inset: inset doors are installed flush with the frame and have a 1 ½ inch-wide face frame. You can choose whether or not you want the hinges exposed and the type of hardware you would like to attach. 
  • Partial Overlay: the most common and affordable option, there is about 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches of the exposed face frame on your doors. 

Door Design

Choosing the door styles of your cabinetry during your kitchen remodel can make all the difference. Popular kitchen cabinet door styles include:

  • Applied Molding: take your custom cabinetry to the next level with decorative and intricate attached moldings or trims.
  • Arched Cathedral: this design has a panel (raised or recessed) with a steep, rounded arch at the top of the door fronts.
  • Beadboard: also known as beaded panel boards, vertical pieces of solid wood are lined to form a door that is popular in rustic kitchens.
  • Mission: this flat panel door is usually stained or made out of oak to highlight the door’s wood grain and is framed.
  • Mullion: as a combination of solid wood and glass, this door is designed with a glass panel at the center and is best for those who want to showcase their dinnerware.
  • Raised Panel: with a raised center, this multi-dimensional design brings depth to any hardwood cabinet. 
  • Recessed Panel: another aesthetic option for your cabinetry features a recessed center panel surrounded by raised edges that work well with any new kitchen.
  • Shaker: choose from any wood species and elevate this simple style popular amongst American kitchen cabinet doors. With plain rails and flat center panels, your new cabinets will be easily integrated into your kitchen, no matter what style it is. 
  • Slab: as doors with a seamless surface, this design is perfect for European style kitchens or those transitioning to a contemporary kitchen design. 

Colors and Finishes

Deciding what color and finish should be used is another important decision to make. Depending on the general feel of your house, you can choose to have:

  • Duraform-finished Cabinets: foils and coatings are bonded to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with heat and pressure. This type of finish is best if you want your kitchen cabinets to be low-maintenance, resistant to heat, fading, and humidity.
  • Glazed Cabinets: glazed cabinetry will stand out with a second layer of color. This finish is used to highlight features like the molding on a European style cabinet.
  • Painted Cabinets: choosing a solid color is also a popular option for kitchen cabinets. However, your cabinets will require maintenance so opt for a gloss or satin finish for easier cleaning and lower chances of staining.
  • Stained Cabinets: stain is applied in order to switch up the color of a kitchen cabinet, enhance the wood grain, or protect kitchen cabinets. You can also stain your kitchen cabinets to mimic the color of natural wood.
  • Thermofoil Cabinets: constructed with MDF and a thin layer of vinyl, kitchen cabinets with this type of finish are easy to clean and durable. A thermofoil kitchen cabinet can mimic solid paint colors.
  • Unfinished Cabinets: for a rustic look, you may like to leave your cabinet without any pain, staining, or varnish to leave it in its natural state. 

Materials

Your dream kitchen can easily come together when you shop and choose the right type of material for your kitchen cabinets:

  • Hardwood: your kitchen will always benefit from hardwood cabinets as they are aesthetic, durable, and offer you a wide range of custom options. 
  • Laminate: a highly affordable material, this material is composed of three layers (paper, colored layer, and transparent layer for protection) and is durable if you choose a high-quality laminate. 
  • MDF: as a mix of wood fiber and resin, this material can be used to match different styles to best fit your kitchen. 
  • Melamine: typically used in plates, the chemical compound is applied to thin layers of engineered wood to create a waterproof material. This is one of the least expensive options to use and there is an assortment of colors, styles, and patterns to shop for. 
  • Metal: for a futuristic and contemporary kitchen, metal can be used for your countertops, shelves, drawers, and cabinets. Generally speaking, stainless steel cabinets are used in professional kitchens because they are durable. However, stainless steel is prone to fingerprints and scratches.
  • Particleboard: coarse wood fibers are bound and compressed into boards. Due to particleboard’s construction, stain and paint can’t be applied directly so it is covered with laminate, wood veneer, or Thermofoil instead. 
  • Plywood: glued and then laminated with a hardwood veneer, this is a strong, versatile, and affordable choice for your cabinets. 
  • Thermofoil: another cost-effective option that is similar to laminate but made from vinyl film is thermofoil. For those going through a kitchen renovation and looking for a fresh look, thermofoil finishes are often white or light colors.
  • Wood Veneer: this material mimics how hardwood looks and feels because a thin layer of wood is attached to a more affordable core material. 

Types of Cabinets

When you shop for custom, semi-custom, or pre-assembled cabinets there are different types to consider for your kitchen:

Base Cabinets: these cabinets provide support and act as a base for your countertops. You can choose from various storage options that range from shelves for your pots and pans to pullout racks to access cutlery.

Specialty Unit Cabinets: use this type of cabinet to stay organized and maximize space in your kitchen. This includes cabinets found in the corner of your kitchen or ones used as storage solutions for your appliances.

Tall (Pantry) Cabinets: resting on the floor, these cabinets provide vertical storage space that can have multiple shelves or a structure attached to be used as utility storage. 

Wall Cabinets: hung on the wall, this type of cabinet makes your space look bigger and you can easily access items while standing.

Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Frequently Asked Questions

Are custom cabinets worth it?

Yes, custom kitchen cabinets are made by professional craftsmen that adjust cabinets to your preferred material and design. By replacing your existing cabinetry with high-quality custom options, you can make sure that the wall cabinets match the connected drawer or that the countertop complements your stock cabinets.

What is the average of cost custom cabinetry?

The exact price of your cabinetry will depend on its grade, type, material, accessories, build, door, colour, and finish. The average cost will range from $100 to $1,200 per linear foot depending on these factors.

If your kitchen renovation is not a DIY project, installation can cost from $3000 to $5000.

How long will a custom kitchen cabinet last?

High-quality customized kitchen cabinets can last at least 25 years. Those made out of more durable material can last up to 50 years when they are well-maintained.

What are some custom cabinet mistakes?

When you are choosing what type of cabinets to customize, it is important to avoid the following mistakes:

  • Overspending: Stick to your budget. Think about the main use of your cabinets and work around that so that you have timeless but functional storage.
  • Not planning enough: Aside from choosing your cabinet, you will need to think about how each one will be integrated into your kitchen space. Map out your whole kitchen’s arrangement taking into consideration your other appliances, lighting, electrical wiring, and plumbing. 
  • Incorrect Lighting: Task lights are best for work areas or underneath a cabinet while accent lighting can be placed inside.
  • Using the wrong colors: The colors you choose will make or break your kitchen. If you are unsure of what to choose, go for neutral shades or consult a professional. 

Custom Kitchen Cabinet Projects by YHYG: