Materials Matter: Cabinets

When building or renovating a home, one of the largest and most important materials the homeowner will choose are the cabinets.

Whether it’s kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities or storage cabinetry, there are a lot of options to choose from. We’ve installed the gamut of cabinetry, from modern IKEA ®  cabinets to stock piece to full-blown custom cabinetry jobs. What’s right for you and your home depends on your needs, style and budget.


 
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IKEA ®

IKEA ® cabinets are a great option for tighter budgets, investment properties or for kitchens with a more simplistic, modern look. IKEA cabinets don’t cost as much as stock or custom, but they are durable and look great in the right house. In other words, they’re a good value for your money. The downside is that there are limited sizes options, so a kitchen needs to have a fairly basic layout to accommodate these cabinets. The selections for finishes are also somewhat limited, but IKEA also offers colors and finishes you may not find at a big box store or cabinet company. Their European influences mean they often have brightly colored, sleek surfaces you won’t find elsewhere. IKEA cabinets do need to be assembled on-site, which can take additional time.

We installed IKEA ® cabinets in this investment property for a simple, clean look. This space is a rental, so the owner didn’t want to invest too much into a space he wasn’t using himself, but he still wanted the home to look modern and high-end.


Stock Cabinetry

Stock cabinets are what you would find “in stock” at a big box or cabinet store. They don’t have to be special ordered, but they usually offer more finish and size options. Stock cabinets are a great option for homeowners as they are affordable, durable and offer a variety of options. However, stock cabinets will not work well for kitchens with unique spaces or layouts or for homeowners with very particular tastes.

We have done some extremely high-end looking kitchens with stock cabinets. Using classic styles and modern colors with high-end hardware helps pull the look together.

In this home, stock cabinetry is paired with brushed nickel hardware and gray, solid-surface countertops for a clean look. A pop of bright green on the walls keeps the kitchen cheery while the white cabinets are not too taste specific in case the owners ever sell the home.

In our most recent renovation, muted gray stock cabinets were topped with Carrara marble countertops and heavy, modern hardware for a classic yet contemporary look. The color palette is timeless, which works well in this historic home. The layout of the cabinetry in this home was done in such a way that it felt custom. Good design can make stock cabinets feel much more expensive.


 
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Custom

There’s no denying that custom cabinets can be expensive, but if your budget allows, it’s a great option. If you have an oddly shaped kitchen, very specific needs in the kitchen (such as special appliances, or features like an appliance garage, cabinet-covered appliances, etc) then custom cabinetry it the best way to go. To keep costs down, we use local cabinet makers such as Polosko Custom Woodworks, who offer good prices and great craftsmanship. With custom cabinetry there are no limit to your materials, colors, styles or anything else.

In this kitchen renovation, custom cabinets were the best option for this long, narrow space. The refrigerator becomes a seamless part of the cabinetry and special millwork on the front of the cabinets amp up the style in this relatively small space. When renovating or building out a small kitchen, it can sometimes pay off to splurge on high-end materials, since you won't need as much and they make a greater impact in a small space.