Adding custom kitchen cabinets to your home combines beauty and functionality, creating a space that is uniquely yours. However, this is a significant investment, making it essential that you consider every small detail. Each choice you make will impact the storage space, workflow, and resale value of your home.
In this article, the experts at iCabinetry Direct will walk you through seven crucial things to consider when ordering custom or semi-custom cabinets, including storage options, cabinet materials, and budget. Consider taking notes about the key takeaways while reading, or reach out to our professional cabinetry consultants to determine the best cabinets for your needs.
1. Current Cabinet Likes
Before committing to a kitchen remodel, you need to pin your dream kitchen’s style and functionality. Identifying your favorite cabinet features gives you a “shopping list” of elements to consider as you sort through your options.
When browsing our inspiration gallery of high-quality cabinets, consider which door styles, materials, finishes, and layouts appeal to you. Convenience features, like soft-close hinges or built-in organizers, can also be crucial factors.
2. Current Cabinet Dislikes
A careful evaluation of the sticking points in your current kitchen design can ensure you don’t have those same issues with your custom cabinets. Consider taking photos or videos to share with your designer, as this can show what problems you’re currently having.
Common issues homeowners face include inaccessible corner cabinets, shallow drawers, or high maintenance requirements. Others don’t like the outdated style of their cabinets, like overly intricate details that are annoying to clean.
By discussing all these with your designer, they can better match you with a cabinet style that enhances visual appeal while improving your workflow.
3. Amount of Storage
Every household has different storage needs. A good rule of thumb is that you need about 6 square feet per person, plus 2 additional square feet per guest.
Bulky appliances can make it hard to meet your storage requirements, while a lot of specialized cookware may increase the amount of space you need. Thankfully, we can walk you through custom storage solutions, such as deep drawers, vertical dividers, and hidden pull-out shelves, and determine which will best meet your needs.
4. Organizational Elements
In addition to adding more storage, what are you looking for in terms of organizational elements? Consider what additions could make your kitchen cabinets more effective and efficient. Ideas to consider for your new kitchen cabinets include:
- Racks for pots and pans help free up drawer space.
- Slide-out shelves will make it simpler to find flatware.
- Horizontal baking sheet storage allows you to find the right size.
- Spice racks keep your favorite herbs organized and ready at a moment’s notice.
- Garbage and recycling cabinets to hide these essential tools.
- Wine storage protects your favorite bottles from damage.
- Lazy Susans let you tuck small appliances into the corner cabinets.
- Bag hooks ensure you’re always ready for your next grocery trip.
- Drawer organizers can be customized for things like teaspoons, wine stoppers, and cheese knives.
5. Available Space
Accurate measurements ensure that your cabinets are a perfect fit for your kitchen. This is especially important for upper cabinets, as your ceiling height determines what height you should purchase. A common mistake is installing flooring after cabinet installation, as this can change the height of your countertops once it is set on your base cabinets.
You can use digital planning tools or free layout services, like iCabinetry’s online consultation tools, to visualize how much space you have and use each inch for maximum effect.
6. Overall Vision for Your Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Modern design trends inspire homeowners to make bold choices for their kitchen space. Our helpful consultants can walk you through unique custom kitchen cabinet design ideas, such as mixing materials and cabinet finishes.
For example, you might choose a high-gloss finish for the base cabinets and then mix it up with a matte finish on the uppers, creating a smooth surface that draws the eye down. You might choose laminate on the lower cabinets, which can withstand some wear and tear, and then reserve the luxury solid wood for the uppers.
Another great option is to add frosted glass inserts to your upper cabinets. This adds more light and airiness to the room by reflecting light, perfect for a small kitchen.
There are also hardware options to consider. Knobs are great for traditional kitchens, while pulls have a more contemporary feel. Consider different finishes like brushed nickel, antique pewter, or matte black. Even if you mix and match materials, using the same hardware can ensure a smooth flow between different areas of the room.
7. Budget
You can’t do any type of home improvement project without considering your budget. Before making any purchases or final decisions, figure out your budget for kitchen cabinets. If you are doing a full kitchen remodel, plan to spend about 20% of your total budget on your cabinets.
Before you order your new cabinets, you need to consider how to plan a flexible budget that accounts for design, labor, and installation costs. Talk to multiple firms to get quotes, then average them to determine how much to budget. Set aside an additional 15 to 20% for contingencies, such as if the shipment is late or the installation is more complicated than expected.
Wholesale custom cabinets, such as those from iCabinetry Direct, can also significantly reduce your expenses. Since we provide custom kitchen cabinets to both professionals and homeowners, we strive to offer the most cost-effective options for any budget. Contact us today so we can discuss which options will best meet your needs.
Material and Finish Options for Custom Cabinets
Modern cabinets come in an array of materials. Some of the best materials for custom kitchen cabinets include these, many of which are available from iCabinetry Direct.
- Medium-Density Fiberboard: MDF has a very smooth surface that is free of irregularities, making it ideal for painted finishes. It also handles humidity better than solid wood, so it’s a good choice for warm, humid climates. However, it is not as strong as wood. MDF is more affordable than wood as it is mass-produced. Expect somewhere around $155 per linear foot.
- Plywood: Plywood is stronger than MDF and resists moisture better, which is why it is often used in commercial kitchens. It is also lighter than both MDF and wood but significantly stronger. In some cases, you can get these cabinets for as low as $178 per linear foot.
- Laminate: One of the most affordable options, laminate kitchen cabinets can be designed in almost any finish you’d like. They’re also very low-maintenance and durable, making them perfect for a busy family. The average cost is $232 per linear foot.
- Veneer: If you’d like to enjoy the look of real wood cabinets without the cost, veneer is a happy medium. These cabinets are made of MDF or plywood and then covered with a thin wood veneer. This makes them a more budget-friendly option, but they still range between $178 – $232 per linear foot.
- Solid Wood: Wood is stronger than MDF, making it ideal for hanging heavy pots and pans. Many love the natural, rustic look of wood and opt for stained finishes to highlight the unique wood grain. However, wood will expand and contract with the seasons, and it is more prone to splitting or warping. Prices range from $268 – $371 per linear foot.
Once you’ve chosen your material, you’ll also need to think about finishes. Staining creates a more rustic look, while paint can make a bright, colorful space.
Design Inspiration and Style Trends
A trendy kitchen space can make your home the talk of the town. Modern farmhouse is a popular option, with framed cabinets that add a touch of old-school charm. Painted finishes, such as a bright white, further emphasize a clean, homey appearance.
For minimalist aesthetics, slab doors with sleek cabinet hardware offer clean lines, while inset door styles further streamline the space. Transitional styles have more room to experiment, such as combining Shaker-style doors with frameless cabinets.
View our inspiration gallery to see how others have mastered kitchen design, then contact us to discuss how we can help you build your dream cabinets.
How Custom Cabinets Improve Home Value
Several factors make custom cabinetry one of the best remodeling decisions you can make. Firstly, they enhance visual appeal, which is crucial when presenting your home to potential buyers. They can also become a significant selling point, as custom cabinetry reassures buyers that they won’t need to replace them anytime soon.
Personalized layouts and additional customizations, like built-in organizational tools, also make the home more marketable. In fact, custom cabinets have a return on investment of 74% to 100%, which is among the highest of all home remodels.
Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Custom Cabinets
Avoiding common pitfalls can ensure you have a stress-free shopping experience.
- Inaccurate Measurements: Measure from multiple locations to account for irregularities, such as uneven floors.
- Ignoring Workflow: Consider the kitchen triangle, which is the space between the stove, sink, and fridge, and ensure you have adequate counter space between them.
- Underestimating Costs: Always add a contingency budget of about 15 – 20% in case unexpected costs add up. Get quotes from multiple providers to figure out how much you can afford.
How to Maintain Custom Kitchen Cabinets?
Before ordering, you need to know how to care for custom cabinets to extend their lifespan. Clean them regularly with a soft cloth and a gentle cleaner. Don’t use abrasive materials. Keep the humidity in your kitchen below 50%, and plan to refinish them at least every 10 years, although some lines, like iStyle Custom Inset by Starmark, have a limited lifetime warranty on their cabinets and finish.
Find Your Dream Custom Cabinets with iCabinetry Direct
Our team understands that when it comes to a kitchen renovation, every detail matters. iCabinetry Direct has streamlined the entire kitchen cabinet shopping process, offering personalized support with cabinet design and ordering. You can be guaranteed quality construction for any kitchen layout at a price point you’ll love. Explore our collection of custom kitchen cabinets or request a free quote today.
FAQs about Custom Kitchen Cabinets
In general, you can expect the design, manufacturing, and professional installation process to take 8-12 weeks. However, some designs may take longer. We’ll keep you updated throughout the manufacturing process and give you a shipping update.
Yes. Custom kitchen cabinets provide long-term value. They last longer than stock options due to their high-quality construction and can impress potential buyers, which improves your home’s resale value.
Solid wood and plywood are considered the most durable materials. However, other options, like MDF and Thermafoil, can also be very durable.
Certainly. However, you’ll want to work with a designer to ensure your room has a cohesive look. You may consider using custom cabinets for one specific area, like the kitchen island, and complement them with good, quality semi-custom cabinets for the perimeter cabinets.
Maintenance can play a crucial role in whether your new cabinets can withstand daily wear. Wipe them down regularly with a mild cleaning solution and a soft cloth. Lubricate the hinges and adjust the doors’ and drawer hinges each season. You should also monitor humidity levels in your kitchen, as high humidity can damage cabinets.
