Are you looking for ideas on how to spruce up your existing kitchen cabinets and cupboards? Maybe you’re looking for more storage? Whatever it is that you need, when it’s time for a change there are plenty of custom cabinetry tips and ideas out there, just begging to be discovered.
As part of any home renovation project, you’ll find that custom cabinetry is not only a great way of enhancing the aesthetics of your home, it’s also a great way of guaranteeing individuality and uniqueness in the process. When designing a brand-new kitchen for example, custom cabinetry really helps add the finishing touches and ties everything together perfectly.
If you are thinking of upgrading your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to find a style and décor that not only matches the aesthetic you’re going for, but one which is also practical in the process. Finding this inspiration is much easier said than done.
To help make the process that little bit easier, here is your guide to custom cabinetry, as we look at several storage solutions and style tips.
Add a Rustic Charm with Oak Cabinets
If you’re looking for a kitchen that gives off a rustic, homestead, country cottage vibe, oak wood cabinets would be ideal.
Oak is an extremely durable, hard-wearing wood that requires little care and maintenance. For custom kitchen cabinetry, it’s perfect for many reasons. Not only is oak durable and resistant to bumps and scratches, it’s also fairly resistant to water and so requires little oiling or finishing.
You can opt for light or dark oaks, and can even put your own unique touches to the wood itself. Maybe opt for a darker, repurposed oak, sand down, and oil or stain for a completely different look. You can also go ahead and fit different handles and knobs to the doors and drawers to really enhance the overall aesthetic.
Don’t Rule Out MDF
Even though MDF has a reputation for being a budget material, don’t be so quick to rule it out, especially if you’re on a budget.
While MDF cabinets may not offer the luxury and style of hardwoods like Oak and Beech, that doesn’t mean that MDF doesn’t have its place in the kitchen. MDF is fairly stable material that won’t warp or crack. It’s also durable and will hold out well against changes in temperature and humidity. In a kitchen, that’s absolutely ideal.
With that said, it is not suitable for use outdoors, so for outdoor kitchens and BBQ areas, MDF cabinets are not an option unfortunately.
Add a Touch of Elegance with Glass Door Inserts
If you really want your kitchen cabinets to stand out, another handy tip is to install glass inserts into the doors.
Glass inserts not only look stylish and elegant, they can also be practical too. With a glass insert fitted, you can see what’s inside the cabinets ahead of time. You also get the added bonus of having plenty of choices when it comes to glass.
Some people opt for clear glass, whereas others prefer frosted glass, etched glass, or even stained glass. If you’ve a favorite quote or mantra, you could have that etched into the glass, or even a family portrait.
For those looking to create an aesthetic unlike that seen anywhere else, glass door inserts will work extremely well. To help save money, rather than each door, maybe stagger the inserts, or simply have one either side of each row.
Brighten Your Cabinets Up with a Lick of Paint
Replacing kitchen cupboards, drawers, and cabinets is a great way of creating a new and exciting look for your kitchen, but it is certainly not the only way.
Lately, as more and more people are up-cycling old and existing furniture, we’re seeing people modernizing and updating existing furniture and décor around the homes. And yes, this includes kitchen cabinets.
Rather than replacing your kitchen cabinets, how about you simply brighten them up with a lick of paint instead? Simply sand and prime and you’re ready to go with the color of your choosing. Some people opt for neutral tones like creams and whites, whereas others go bolder and brighter. It’s your kitchen, so choose colors that you enjoy, which compliment the existing décor.
For the ultimate finishing touch, replace draws, knobs, and handles and your old cabinets will immediately be transformed and will look better than ever.
Framed or Frameless?
Of course, when talking about custom cabinetry, we need to talk about framed and frameless cabinets.
For many years, framed cabinets were all the rage, yet recently we’ve seen frameless cabinets growing in popularity.
Whereas framed cabinet doors may be considered more aesthetic by some, you do lose a little internal storage space. Despite this, for those looking for a rustic, stylish, perhaps Edwardian finish, framed cabinet doors are certainly a great choice.
Frameless doors however, tend to look less busy and are best suited for more modern, contemporary, and minimalistic finishes. Another great advantage of frames doors is the fact that they offer more internal storage space, so you can store larger plates and more crockery. If you want a smoother, more seamless finish, frameless doors are the way to go.
Choose Quirky Shapes and Designs
Finally, who says that custom cabinetry has to consist of square and rectangular shaped cabinets?
Because there is now so much variety and choice out there, you can easily pick up wooden cabinets designed in a variety of unique shapes, sizes, and designs. You can opt for wavy finishes with crown moldings, curved designs, and even custom doors in a wide range of different forms.
If you want to create a quirky, unique kitchen that allows you to express your own uniqueness and individuality, custom designed cabinets are absolutely wonderful. The only slight drawback would be the price, as they are likely to be more expensive because of the additional work and labor that went into creating each piece.
