Choosing custom cabinetry is no easy task. Much like a tailored suit echoes your fashion sense, custom cabinetry complements your home’s charm. Whether you’re drawn to sleek modern designs or distressed finishes, built-in cabinets add value to your home by seamlessly blending timeless elegance and versatility into every room.
Consider the Style
The first step in choosing custom cabinetry is selecting a design. Built-in variations will depend on your room’s purpose and should complement interior decor and appliances. For example, floating cabinets offer a simple and convenient storage solution – perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.
Next, consider what style fits your home’s aesthetic. Antique cabinets in a lakeside cabin surrounded by towering trees and dense vegetation can invite down-to-earth charm into your space. A high-rise penthouse that overlooks a beautiful skyline might benefit from the industrial appeal of stainless steel built-ins with slab drawers. If you’re unsure which style to choose, shaker-style cabinets are a safe and timeless option.
Inset vs. Full Overlay
Before choosing custom cabinetry configurations, you’ll need to know the two distinct options: inset and full overlay.
Often featured in farmhouse kitchens reminiscent of Victorian styles, inset drawers sit flush within exposed cabinet frames. Inset designs allow customized designs like beaded inserts or bevels to match traditional and embellished decor. However, inset doors are prone to shifting due to natural wear and indoor humidity, which can result in wider gaps between doors and frames.
On the other hand, overlay cabinets offer full or partial face frame coverage. Unlike the previous option, full drawers sit outside the frame and provide more storage. As a result, they are a perfect fit for bustling kitchens or primary bathrooms. Paired with slab doors in minimalist homes, full overlays eliminate the need for tedious routine cleaning that traditional cabinetry requires.
Materials
No matter which room you’re designing, wood’s versatility for custom built-ins is unmatched. Popular hardwoods like maple and walnut are renowned for their rich tones and sun-kissed hues that offset modern palettes. Did you know Pennsylvania has a rich history in cabinetmaking and carpentry? WPL Interior Design, based in Philadelphia, honors this history and is proud to offer environmentally friendly cabinetry that is both beautiful and durable.
While hardwoods are known for their timeless appeal, other quality options exist. Keep in mind that materials like laminate may mimic the urban glam of concrete slab cabinets but lack the longevity of wood. Instead, opt for veneer, stainless steel, and melamine, which also offer quality craftsmanship and durability. For example, high-traffic kitchens might benefit from melamine’s scratch and heat-resistant properties, alongside its catalog of colors and patterns.
Whether you’re upgrading an indoor kitchen or revitalizing your backyard with an outdoor cooking area, choosing the right materials will aid in any remodeling project that comes your way.
Finishes
The final step in choosing custom cabinetry is selecting a finish that will seal in its aesthetic glow.
If you choose hardwood cabinets, painted and stained finishes can accentuate and safeguard the material’s authenticity. Painted finishes are great for achieving a flawless surface that repels moisture in kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms. Alternatively, stained finishes offer a nature-inspired look, highlighting natural grain and texture to preserve its organic origins.
However, if you prefer polished designs, glossy finishes can transform modern styles with their reflective properties. These glossy finishes can amplify the natural light in lively living rooms that prioritize minimalism and seamless routine maintenance.
Choosing custom cabinetry doesn’t have to be difficult. Let us help you find the right style for your interior– contact us today to get started.
