An Expert Reveals What You Need to Know About Custom Cabinetry
Thinking of splashing out on made-to-measure joinery? An expert reveals how to get the best bang for your buck
While there’s no denying that bespoke joinery can be expensive, it’s very often an investment worth making, giving you a seamless design that fits your home’s style and dimensions perfectly, and ultimately adding to its value. We’ve asked Sydney renovation specialist Sarah Comerford from HOME by belle to share her top tips for making sure you get the perfect made-to-measure solution for your needs and budget.
Ask the right questions
If you’re considering custom cabinetry, first check that you’re getting a genuine made-to-measure solution. Many companies say they offer customised cabinetry but have restrictions around standard panel sizes and then plump out the extra space with wine racks or false panels. While this can be a cheaper alternative, it won’t deliver the seamless look that a true customised solution provides.
If you’re considering custom cabinetry, first check that you’re getting a genuine made-to-measure solution. Many companies say they offer customised cabinetry but have restrictions around standard panel sizes and then plump out the extra space with wine racks or false panels. While this can be a cheaper alternative, it won’t deliver the seamless look that a true customised solution provides.
Consider the layout
This may seem obvious but it’s such an important part of the process. When it comes to deciding where to install custom cabinetry, first look at the layout of your home – choose a spot where cabinets are easy to access and sit naturally within the space.
When choosing the right height for wall-mounted cabinetry, consider sight lines and which parts of the cabinets you will notice when you first step into the room.
Find a custom-made joiner on Houzz so you know you’re in expert hands
This may seem obvious but it’s such an important part of the process. When it comes to deciding where to install custom cabinetry, first look at the layout of your home – choose a spot where cabinets are easy to access and sit naturally within the space.
When choosing the right height for wall-mounted cabinetry, consider sight lines and which parts of the cabinets you will notice when you first step into the room.
Find a custom-made joiner on Houzz so you know you’re in expert hands
Think about how cabinetry will be used
When designing custom cabinetry of any kind, think about the function it will serve and the job it needs to do. For instance, with a custom-made television unit, you’ll need to assess things such as the size of the set, the electronic cords and accessories the unit needs to house as well as any hidden storage requirements.
When designing custom cabinetry of any kind, think about the function it will serve and the job it needs to do. For instance, with a custom-made television unit, you’ll need to assess things such as the size of the set, the electronic cords and accessories the unit needs to house as well as any hidden storage requirements.
Think beyond just kitchens and bathrooms
Consider whether you need open or closed cabinetry (or a mix of the two) for all the rooms of your home. Functional areas, such as butler’s pantries and entryways, may require more open than closed storage in order to keep the areas free of clutter.
Consider whether you need open or closed cabinetry (or a mix of the two) for all the rooms of your home. Functional areas, such as butler’s pantries and entryways, may require more open than closed storage in order to keep the areas free of clutter.
Make sure shelves can handle the weight
During the planning stage, consider whether you’ll be storing any particularly heavy items on shelves as additional support may be required.
During the planning stage, consider whether you’ll be storing any particularly heavy items on shelves as additional support may be required.
Choose the right finishes
Custom cabinetry carcasses are generally made of melamine. Doors that will be painted with polyurethane are generally made of MDF. All board used in a kitchen or a wet room such as a bathroom or laundry will need to be water resistant.
If budget is no issue, solid timber is an option. Timber veneers are a cheaper alternative, giving you the appearance of solid timber without the expense. The cheapest option is wood-look board. But remember – more expensive materials don’t necessarily guarantee a better finish. That will come down to your joiner’s craftsmanship skills.
Custom cabinetry carcasses are generally made of melamine. Doors that will be painted with polyurethane are generally made of MDF. All board used in a kitchen or a wet room such as a bathroom or laundry will need to be water resistant.
If budget is no issue, solid timber is an option. Timber veneers are a cheaper alternative, giving you the appearance of solid timber without the expense. The cheapest option is wood-look board. But remember – more expensive materials don’t necessarily guarantee a better finish. That will come down to your joiner’s craftsmanship skills.
Mix materials for a unique look
The current trend is to mix different finishes in a single piece for a show-stopping look, but this is a more involved (and invariably more expensive) process. Mixing materials in this way can help you highlight specific sections of your cabinetry – great for display – which can be boosted with concealed cabinetry lighting.
The current trend is to mix different finishes in a single piece for a show-stopping look, but this is a more involved (and invariably more expensive) process. Mixing materials in this way can help you highlight specific sections of your cabinetry – great for display – which can be boosted with concealed cabinetry lighting.
Treat handles like jewellery
Handles can take beautiful cabinetry to another level. It’s best to include them in the design phase so you get the right look for your space.
Long bar handles are popular right now, and come in a variety of finishes such as brass, gold and matt black. More decorative styles are best suited to traditional cabinetry.
If handles aren’t your style, there are also several handle-free options to choose from.
Handles can take beautiful cabinetry to another level. It’s best to include them in the design phase so you get the right look for your space.
Long bar handles are popular right now, and come in a variety of finishes such as brass, gold and matt black. More decorative styles are best suited to traditional cabinetry.
If handles aren’t your style, there are also several handle-free options to choose from.
Consider door materials
When it comes to door materials, the main options are metal, glass, mirror, timber and MDF. Make your selection based on style (for example, glass doors to go in a Hamptons-style kitchen) or function (for example, perforated metal doors for air flow around electronics).
When it comes to door materials, the main options are metal, glass, mirror, timber and MDF. Make your selection based on style (for example, glass doors to go in a Hamptons-style kitchen) or function (for example, perforated metal doors for air flow around electronics).
Choose drawers over cupboards
Drawers will give you far more usable storage space than cupboards, and are ideal for both kitchens and bathrooms. While you may lose a small amount of space due to drawer runners, what you gain back in practicality is more valuable. You can also add practical inclusions to drawers such as spice racks, pull-out bins and slide-out benches.
Drawers will give you far more usable storage space than cupboards, and are ideal for both kitchens and bathrooms. While you may lose a small amount of space due to drawer runners, what you gain back in practicality is more valuable. You can also add practical inclusions to drawers such as spice racks, pull-out bins and slide-out benches.
What’s good to know
When speaking to a prospective cabinet maker, ask if the cabinetry is Australian made and assembled, and what solutions they have to offer for spots such as tricky corners.
It also helps to do your own research into the latest storage solutions on the market and any that particularly suit your needs, so you can check that the company provides them.
When speaking to a prospective cabinet maker, ask if the cabinetry is Australian made and assembled, and what solutions they have to offer for spots such as tricky corners.
It also helps to do your own research into the latest storage solutions on the market and any that particularly suit your needs, so you can check that the company provides them.
Tell us
Are you considering custom cabinetry? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you found this story useful, don’t forget to like it, bookmark it or share it. Join the conversation.
More
Find out more inside information for your renovation with A Bathroom Design Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
Are you considering custom cabinetry? Tell us in the Comments section below. And if you found this story useful, don’t forget to like it, bookmark it or share it. Join the conversation.
More
Find out more inside information for your renovation with A Bathroom Design Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
There is a lot of work and detail involved in building custom cabinetry, which is why it generally costs more than pre-cut or flat-pack joinery. But the benefit of specifying bespoke is that your cabinetry will be a perfect fit for your home, making the most of even small or awkward spots.
Custom cabinetry is also a smart long-term investment. Well-designed storage is something most buyers are looking for, and it can ultimately add to the value of your home.