Whether you’re upgrading your existing home or choosing kitchen cabinets for a new home, having the right kitchen cabinets has a bigger impact on the kitchen than most people realize. 

Yes, your kitchen’s cabinets’ primary function is storage. However, the size, design, and functionality will be the difference between a kitchen that looks great and flows well versus a kitchen that causes headaches and regrets. 

When all is said and done, kitchen cabinets are something you want to get right. If the ones you have now aren’t working, a custom cabinet maker can help. 

There are a lot of benefits that come with choosing custom cabinets. We’ll cover these perks in this article. Some of the big ones include attention to detail in the design phase and seamless millwork. The flexibility to fit your kitchen space layout though is perhaps the biggest benefit. When you choose stock cabinets, you’re often limited to standard sizes that don’t fit and awkward-looking fillers to cover empty, wasted space. 

Your custom cabinet maker will use superior materials, hardware, and construction methods that result in cabinets built to last generations when properly cared for. Your initial costs are more, but when you consider the wear and tear cabinets take, the durability of custom-built makes them an easy choice when compared to stock cabinets. 

In this article, we’re going to zero in on custom kitchen cabinets and the ten most important factors to keep in mind in terms of features and benefits.

Custom Kitchen Cabinet Design Detail 

The devil is in the details. Most people have heard this expression, but do you know what it means? It means that mistakes are usually made in the small details of a project. This couldn’t be more true for cabinet design. The design phase is complex and requires the ability to see the big picture and then make a plan based on precision measurements that must be brought to life.

An expert custom cabinet maker takes accurate onsite measurements and uses state-of-the-art software and laser-guided machinery to make precision cuts. Skilled craftspeople assemble the perfectly cut pieces by hand to ensure seamless construction under the highest quality control standards possible. The intimate process ensures that no details are ignored and the end product lives up to its promise. 

Custom Cabinet Millwork 

When you’re doing research about custom cabinets you’ll often run into the word “millwork.” It’s useful to know what this term means and why you keep seeing it. Millwork specifically refers to custom-made wooden products produced in a mill. Some cabinet makers refer to their mill as a woodshop or facility, and the best cabinet makers have their own in-house mill. Millwork is custom-made according to the customer’s specifications and takes the space of the room into account. 

For example, your kitchen cabinets should be built according to the size of your kitchen space to get the best use out of them. You have the freedom to choose exactly how they will fit into your space and custom cabinet millwork makes that vision a reality. 

Flexibility in Custom Cabinet Sizing 

Custom cabinetry gives you the ability to have complete flexibility in your project designs. Special sizing constraints, rare wood types or finishes, and complicated design elements are not an issue when you work with a custom cabinet maker that has its own facility. 

There’s no need to limit your design to the standard stock, factory-produced cabinets. A lot of kitchens end up having awkward-looking gaps where appliances don’t fit with the cabinets. Sometimes space is just covered up for aesthetics and wasted. Custom cabinets ensure everything in your kitchen fits together perfectly and allows you to use every last bit of space for your storage needs. 

Custom Kitchen Cabinets Feature Superior Materials 

Custom cabinets give you the widest selection of quality material choices. High-density fiberboard (HDF) is the strongest cabinet material you can use. HDF is an engineered wood made from hardwood and softwoods. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is similar to HDF but is engineered with less resin, resulting in a slightly weaker material when compared to HDF. Plywood consists of thin layers of wood that are veneer glued together. The wood grain of each layer runs at a 90-degree angle to the grain of the layers surrounding it. Plywood is a reliable and strong building material. 

Custom Cabinet Construction 

There are two types of cabinet frames: face framed and frameless designs. The face framed design is what has been popular in the past and offers a traditional look. The frameless or box design is a newer, simpler option that has become very popular.  

Stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinet designs are available in both framed and frameless construction. Both types of frames can share similarities in materials but differ in construction.

With a face-framed design, a 1.5-2 inch border, or frame, hides the edge of the cabinet box.  This type of design offers the cabinet strength and sturdiness due to the cabinet being attached at the frame’s side. Doors can be mounted to the inside of the frame giving a flush look or to the front of the frame leaving an overlay. Very few cabinet frames are made from solid wood.  

The frameless box, also known as the euro, has no face frame. The doors attach directly to the sides of the cabinet box and cover the entire frontal space and box, providing a full overlay. This design gives the benefit of full access to the cabinet interior and therefore offers the maximum use of space. The cabinet drawers are slightly larger with this design than the face-framed construction method.  

Technology and Software Used by Custom Cabinet Makers 

When you think of a cabinet maker you might not think of technology. The truth is the best custom cabinet makers rely on state of the art machines and software to ensure precision cuts and designs. The final touches and construction are done by hand, but prior to that technology plays a big role. 

Software programs allow cabinet makers to view the room in a 3D layout and rotate the room to gain a better perspective to ensure effective construction. These programs even let you see the fine details of the millwork such as detailed crown molding and other custom hardware. 

The Process of Getting Custom Kitchen Cabinets 

The process of getting your custom kitchen cabinets starts with finding the right cabinet maker. They’ll work with you every step of the way, starting with choosing the right design for your space and function desires. After determining a space designed the next step is choosing the type of materials, finish, and hardware. The great thing about custom cabinets is all the customized accessories you can add.  

Your cabinet maker will take onsite measurements to ensure all the custom millwork is to spec and the installation goes smoothly. Once built, your cabinet maker will install your custom cabinets, ensuring a seamless fit and integration. 

Why Custom Cabinets Cost More 

You can probably guess why custom costs more. Higher quality materials in any product will cost more, but they also last longer. With custom cabinets, you’re paying for high materials, labor, and expertise. Perfection takes time. The cost of the technology and skilled craftspeople that make custom cabinets is higher than off-the-shelf stock cabinets. Everyone has different goals and different sized budgets. If you can afford to invest in custom cabinets, they pay off in the long term with their longevity, aesthetic value, and joy they provide when using your kitchen. 

Custom Kitchen Cabinet Installation 

Installation methods vary from installer to installer, but there are some things that should be consistent. Walls should be straight and primed, floors flat and everything should be square.  Before installation cabinet doors and drawers are removed and appliances to be installed should be on-site, in case any adjustments are necessary.

How to Choose the Right Custom Kitchen Cabinet Maker 

You might have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a custom cabinet maker depending on where you live. The important thing is understanding what you’re getting before you sign a contract. Choosing the perfect design for your dream kitchen is a lot of fun. Seeing your design come to life after the project is complete feels amazing. 

Segale Brothers is a Bay Area custom cabinet shop that’s been helping homeowners and builders with their cabinet design, build, and installation since 1976.  

The right kitchen cabinets can make or break a kitchen’s style and functionality. Cabinets are the backbone of a kitchen. The kitchen should be a place of inspiration and comfort, which means everything should be in the proper place to create a clutter-free and convenient space. 

The secret to achieving a well-laid-out and functional kitchen is selecting the right kitchen cabinets. 

Kitchen cabinets can be one of the most significant line items in a new build or remodeling project. Once you start researching, you can quickly get lost in all the details involved in choosing the perfect kitchen cabinets. 

There are a near-infinite amount of styles, designs, and materials to choose from. The industry jargon can be hard to decipher, making it difficult to understand what you’re paying for. Once you start asking for quotes, you might notice a big difference in pricing from different cabinet makers. 

The best thing you can do to move forward with confidence is to get familiar with the basic concepts. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to choose kitchen cabinets that you’ll love for years or even decades. 

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about kitchen cabinets, from grades, components, materials, and more. 

• Cabinet Types 

• Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets 

• Cabinet Components 

• Cabinet Core Materials 

• Cabinet Door Designs 

• Cabinet Door Overlays 

• Cabinet Colors and Finishes 

• Cabinet Accessories 

• Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinets 

Kitchen Cabinet Types 

The first thing to know about cabinetry is the different types of kitchen cabinets available. It’s great to have choices, but it can get overwhelming without a basic understanding of the types of cabinets and their function. 

There are three basic types of cabinetry: stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets. Each type provides different advantages depending on our needs and budget. Stock cabinets are an entry-level price point with limited options. Semi-custom offers more styles, finishes, and features than stock. 

Custom cabinets offer the widest range of wood types, finishing options, construction platforms, and modifications. Custom cabinets are designed and hand-made by craftspeople that can meet any need, whether it means working from an existing cabinet design or creating new custom pieces to ensure you get the exact cabinets you imagined. 

Wall Cabinets 

Wall cabinets, sometimes called upper cabinets, refer to the cabinets hung on a wall, as opposed to the floor based cabinets. Wall-mounted cabinets are the workhorses of cabinetry, providing much-needed storage space for items that need to be easily accessed while standing or moving around the kitchen. 

Base Cabinets 

Base cabinets, sometimes called lower cabinets, are strong and sturdy. They provide a base for heavy countertops and can create the perfect kitchen island or window seating area. They also act as a bulk storage space for pans, cookware, and cleaning products. They can be designed with pull-out racks or roll trays for easy access to items and include features like recycling bins and wastebaskets. 

Tall Cabinets 

Sometimes called pantry cabinets or full height cabinets, these cabinets work great for pantry and utility storage. They can accommodate large or unwieldy items, from bulk food supplies,  mops, and brooms to jackets and boots. 

Corner Cabinets 

Just like the name suggests, corner cabinets are cabinets found in the corner of your kitchen. Corner cabinets can be some of the most creative and space-saving cabinets in your kitchen. You can incorporate a swing-out base, lazy susan swing, and pull-out, diagonal cabinet, or even curved cabinets to eliminate corners completely. 

Floating Cabinets 

 Aside from a clean and unique look, mounting a cabinet on the wall provides more floor space which gives the appearance of a bigger, more spacious room while streamlining the cabinet look. 

Framed vs. Frameless Kitchen Cabinets 

Framed cabinets have an overlaying frame or structure attached to the front. The frame can extend up to 2 inches over the cabinet opening, adding strength and sturdiness. 

Frameless cabinets, or European style, lack a face frame. They are the most common type of cabinet in the U.S. People who choose frameless cabinets prefer the seamless line and sleek look that directly attached door and drawer glides make possible with this design. 

Kitchen Cabinet Components 

In its basic form, a cabinet is a simple wood box. However, there are a number of cabinet components that make each cabinet unique. Cabinets consist of doors, face frames, drawer boxes, drawer glides, hinges, and more. The way a cabinet is assembled will affect the quality. 

These are the basic components of a cabinet:

Doors and Drawer Fronts 

Doors and drawer fronts are the most prominent cabinet parts. Choosing a cabinet door style and color is one of the most exciting parts of the design process. 

Drawer Box 

The drawer box should have solid wood or plywood sides, and a back at least ½” thick. The bottom should be fully captured, meaning it is set in grooves on all four sides. Build a drawbox to last to ensure it can survive heavy use.

Drawer Glides 

Typical silverware drawers can contain up to 20lbs of flatware. Drawer boxes with glides that can hold at least 75 lbs are ideal. Soft-close, steel, undermount glides are best, although side mount glides can provide more flexibility for custom depth sizes. 

Hinges 

The quality of cabinet hinges varies greatly. It’s important to choose cabinets with high-quality hinges so they can survive opening and closing (thousands of times).

Kitchen Cabinet Core Materials 

The materials you use in cabinet construction will determine the look of the cabinets. Custom cabinets give you the most material choices. 

• High-density Fiberboard (HDF) is an engineered wood made from hardwood and softwoods. HDF is the strongest cabinet material available.  
• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is similar to HDF but engineered with less resin making it weaker than HDF.  
• Plywood consists of thin layers of wood that are veneer glued together. The wood grain of each layer runs at a 90-degree angle to the grain of the layers surrounding it. Plywood is a strong and stable building material. 
• Particle board or furniture board is a composite of reclaimed and recycled wood products bonded together with a synthetic resin or binder under heat and pressure. Stock and semi-custom cabinets often use particle board. 

Kitchen Cabinet Door Designs 

When choosing your cabinet door design, you can get nearly anything you want. You can choose from popular designs like raised panels or get a completely custom design. 

Raised panel cabinet doors have a center portion of the door slightly raised higher than the surrounding wood. Raised panels come in a variety of designs and styles. These doors can have arches or square edges. 

Recessed panel slab doors have the opposite feature of a raised panel cabinet door. The center panel is slightly lower than the surrounding door frame. The panels must be thinner than the rest of the door. 

Slab / Flat doors are fully flat and can have a solid color or wood veneer. Wood veneer doors can be “book-matched” to allow the whole grain to be seen in full sections rather than individual pieces.

Glass-front cabinet doors are another option if you don’t want to hide the cabinet contents. Dividing bars called mullions separate the glass panes in the door. For many years, mullioned glass cabinet doors were the most popular choice among homeowners. 

Custom cabinet doors can be custom designed. Choose the materials, color, finish, functionality, and accessories. Custom cabinet doors will work in any kitchen no matter how unique or challenging the space. 

Kitchen Cabinet Door Overlays 

Cabinet door overlay is the amount of frame visible on the cabinet. There are three types of overlays to choose from: partial, full, and inset. 

Full Overlay

Full overlays are the most standard and traditional overlay option. They provide cabinets with a custom look without the cost and they cover most of the cabinets’ face frame. Full overlays do require additional cabinet hardware because there is only ¼” of space between the doors and drawers, making them more difficult to open without the hardware. 

Partial Overlay 

With a partial overlay the cabinet door sits on the cabinet face leaving 1 to 1 ¼” of the face frame exposed. 

Flush Inset 

Inset cabinet doors are set into the cabinet frame and fit flush with the face of the cabinet when closed. The hinges can either be hidden or exposed. This type of cabinet provides less storage space, but for some people it’s worth it because they love the look. 

Kitchen Cabinet Colors and Finishes 

The color and finish of your cabinets is just as important as the construction. When choosing a color, think about your overall kitchen color scheme, personal preferences, and amount of natural light the kitchen receives. 

• Stained cabinets enhance the woodgrain and change the color, giving the finished cabinet a unique look and feel. A clear finish is best for showing the natural beauty of the wood. 
• Painted cabinets allow you to customize your cabinets to your liking. Semi-gloss, gloss or satin finish paint are best as they are easier to clean. Paint grade cabinets can also be delivered primed if they are being painted on site by others.
• Acrylic finishes are a popular choice for kitchen cabinets because they are heat and water resistant. 
• Laminate metal finishes give cabinets a metal look while providing the heat and water resistance of laminate.  

Kitchen Cabinet Accessories 

Cabinet accessories can breathe new life into your current cabinets or take new custom cabinets to the next level of beauty and function. 

• Custom Drawer Inserts help you get the most out of every inch of your cabinet drawers. Add a knife block insert, utility tray, spice drawer, and more. 
• Pull-outs, pull-downs, and pull-ups are accessories that make accessing what you have stored in your cabinets easy and convenient. They’re a great solution for frequent-use items like cutting boards, glassware, and pots and pans. 
• Flip-up doors, retractable doors, or “pocket doors” are a way to get the cabinet door out of the way. These doors have a hinge that flips open and retracts out of view like a garage door. The opening allows for easy access to contents and keeps the door from getting in the way. 
• Custom lighting can make finding items in your cabinet a lot easier. You can get your drawers lined with lighting, cabinets with downward shining lighting, or really anything you’d like. A custom cabinet maker can design your cabinets with nearly any lighting option.