If you are looking to spruce up your home, try upgrading to custom cabinets as they provide many benefits. Happy homeowners who have already splurged on them continue to rave how fabulous custom cabinets are. They will work well for your kitchen, dressing room, and even bathroom. With customization comes personalization, meaning you can enjoy something unique that perfectly complements your room’s theme.
Though custom cabinets have a higher upfront cost than regular or standard cabinet variants, you can get your money’s worth in the long run. Aside from enjoying superior aesthetics, they finely craft your custom cabinets from premium quality materials that last for the long haul. The longevity and durability make custom cabinets truly worth every penny.
Besides, investing in something like this means you will get items tailored to fit your space and needs. Of course, you can also opt for a mix of stock and custom cabinetry all over your house to save more money. But this combined approach still gives you that classy custom design element that will make your home even more beautiful. Here’s everything you need to know about custom cabinets.
Difference Between Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom Cabinets
When you opt for custom cabinets, you can expect excellent workmanship as the workers build what you need on-site. In contrast, stock cabinets are built ahead and sold as-is, so you settle for whatever is there. Look at their nuances below:
Custom
Most people assume that custom cabinets are better. Though it is partly true, you must remember this also hinges entirely on your supplier because not all materials are made equal. Besides, other factors may affect the quality of your custom cabinet, like installation and craftsmanship.
However, in general, customized cabinets are associated with a high-end option. After all, professionals build them specifically to meet your unique requirement and specification. And if you work with the right supplier, you can expect higher quality wood, superior hardware, amazing finishes, and excellent build quality.
Stock
In contrast, they build stock cabinets way ahead of time. They are usually standard cabinet sizes for kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms. You can find them on the display floor, where clients can pick and purchase what they like. This option proffers a more affordable option. It is also swifter because the supply is already there waiting.
Semi-Custom
Meanwhile, semi-custom cabinets are a mix of both, this means they are partially built before you place your order. However, they are partly unfinished, so you give input to your preferences before finalization and installation.
Top Benefits of Custom Cabinets for Your Property
Despite the bigger investment, many people opt for custom cabinets. You may be wondering why this option remains trendy despite the higher price tag. Well, custom cabinets offer so many benefits for your property. Let’s look at them below:
Made to Fit Your Given Space
People covet custom cabinets because they design and build them specifically to fit your lifestyle, needs, and preferences. In contrast, they make stock cabinets for the “average” person. This design will work for some but not all. If you want innovative storage with optimal use of space, custom cabinets are the answer. For example, you can expect the following from custom cabinets:
- Tailor-made to fit your cooking habits and food prep patterns
- Personalized for your wardrobe storage specifications
- Can fit uniquely shaped kitchen and dinettes
- Artisans make the cabinets perfectly match your bathroom space
One of the worst things that can happen during the remodel is the stock kitchen does not fit correctly. Unfortunately, this can end up costing you a pretty penny. Most of all, mismatched sizing can delay your project completion for months. In contrast, custom fit is never an issue with custom cabinets because they specifically build them for your given space.
On top of that, you can count on custom cabinetry to get finished at the same time. You also do not need to worry about non-matching materials and finishes. The latter usually happens with stock cabinets because they make individual parts in bulk and batches. Hence, they are crafted at different times resulting in these distracting variances.
Besides, you have limits on the product and the availability of stocks. Fortunately, if you invest in custom cabinetry, you can hand-select woods, finishes, and other details. Furthermore, it will be crafted based on your order, so you do not need to worry about anything at all.
Enjoy Personal Selection That Fits Your Unique Situation
Whether you are 4’11 or 6’4 in height, you can find the perfect cabinet that fits your needs. With stock cabinets, the size is the average height ranging from 5’5 to 5’8. This can be quite cumbersome if you are too tall or quite short.
Thankfully, custom cabinets can give you functional items that work and fit your needs. As such, you do not need to step on stools or keep on bending to get what you need. Professionals make custom cabinetry per order based on the size, wood, finish, style, and hardware you like to fulfill your needs and wants. It is a worthwhile investment that proffers tons of value.
Remember, builders can custom cabinets, drawers, doors, and shelving to any size you like so you can modify the design to suit your special circumstances. Of course, your kitchen is not the only thing that will get a fitted look, but your custom cabinets will also fit and adapt to you, “the end user” of the cabinets.
Get the Chance to Pick Various Materials
It is fun to customize your cabinets because you can give your opinion and input for everything. For example, you can select the following:
- Type of wood
- Finishes
- Hardware
- Style
Hence, you can choose everything that best matches your space. However, if you work with stock or semi-custom cabinets, you limit your options. In fact, with stock cabinets, you do not have many choices to work with at all. You are required to pick whatever they have for sale. Most come with standardized materials and limited color choices or finishes.
Besides, when you are part of the selection process, you feel more affinity for your cabinets. And this is not a surprise because you painstakingly selected every detail that went into building them. Hence, your cabinets can even reflect your wonderful personality.
Expect Better Storage Allotment
If you struggle with storage in your home, upgrading to custom cabinets is the answer. For example, most kitchens lack cabinetry because they have stock cabinets. Unfortunately, most of the kitchens in the country come in varying shapes and sizes. For this reason, you may have blank spaces since the stock cabinetry does not fit.
With custom cabinets, you are not stuck with boring fillers to plug up space gaps. Whether you require extra tall cabinetry with a built-in ladder for easy access or quaint cabinets for snug spaces in your home, you can get them in the right size.
Hence, you do not waste any areas at all, and you can get all the storage you need plus a little extra room. To illustrate, you can also play around with different options and consider adding the following to your kitchen cabinetry:
- Spice cabinet
- Cutlery cabinet
- Island cabinetry
These intricate little details are something that you will never get the chance to enjoy from a stock cabinet.
Enjoy Premium Craftsmanship Built to Last
Unlike stock or semi-custom cabinets that are mass-produced in a factory assembly line, custom cabinets are made by skilled makers and artisans using their hands and special tools. These expert cabinet makers take pride in their work, so they use the best materials and design techniques to produce a work of art.
For these reasons, well-built custom cabinets that are properly installed can last longer than other cabinet variants. In addition, unlike stock cabinets that are slapped together with staples or glue, custom cabinets are painstakingly curated with intricate joints and dowels. As a result, you get a high-quality level of craftsmanship that increases your home value, and you get quality construction that is built to last. Check out the quick differences between custom and stock cabinet construction below:
| Custom | Stock | |
| Material component | Good quality wood | Cheap and flimsy particle board |
| Joints | Dowel, dovetail, or mortise and tenon | Glue, screws, or nails |
| Corner braces | Sturdy wood glue blocks | Stapled plastic corners |
| Drawer slides | Expertly hidden under the mounting frame | Visible side slide brackets that get off track |
Promotes an Environmentally-Sound Choice
When you buy stock items, you are not sure where the manufacturers source that raw materials. In the same token, you do not know the eco-footprint that it has gone through as factory workers scramble to assemble stock cabinets swiftly.
In contrast, custom cabinets allow you to pick every detail. As such, you can work with recycled materials or eco-friendly wood. So, if you feel concerned about the origins of your raw materials because environmental stewardship is important to you, custom cabinetry is the answer.
This personalized cabinet allows you to choose between a wider range of woods, from local to domestic hardwood. Thus, you can make a sound decision, knowing that the cabinets lessen that impact on the environment. You can only get this eco-friendly benefit from custom cabinetry.
How Much Will Custom Cabinets Cost?
Custom kitchen cabinets will cost a bit more than a stock or semi-custom cabinet. Most homeowners will probably fork out between $500 to a grand per linear foot. The price can even go higher if you have unique specifications, such as selecting premium and imported hardwoods.
Several factors can increase the price of your custom cabinet project. Look at them below:
- The type of wood
- Chosen hardware
- Size of area
- Unique shape
- Difficulty of installation
- Time frame involved
- Supplier or manufacturer
In general, if you need the kitchen cabinets asap, you pay a higher premium for the cabinet artisans to speed up the work. And of course, if you choose expensive raw materials, you can also expect to pay quite a bit more.
However, you get what you pay for with custom cabinets. Whatever you install in your home will look classy and not cheap. You will have elegant cabinets that can last the test of time.
Get the Best Value Out of Custom Cabinetry
Stock cabinets or semi-custom cabinets may be cheaper than custom cabinets, but most of them look their price. However, when it comes to appearance and value, they cannot beat a custom-made cabinet.
When you analyze and add all the perks of splurging on custom cabinets, you will understand why this is the best choice. Thus, it is not surprising why most new home constructions or even those who renovate single rooms choose custom cabinets. Those who have invested in them feel satisfied with their purchase.
If you do not want to live in regret, custom cabinetry is the best choice, especially if you are building from scratch or remodeling. By working with the right supplier, you can find a company willing to work within your budget. It is not impossible to get a great day on high-quality custom cabinets if you know where to look and who to ask.
To get the special custom appearance you want, it is vital to enlist the help of an experienced home designer or contractor who can guide you through all your options. The right ally will have your best interest in mind, working with what you have and within your budget considerations.
Remember, adding custom cabinets to your home means incorporating elegant design elements into your space that you can enjoy every day. As a result, you can make your home a masterpiece and increase its value as well.
If you need help designing your kitchen, bathroom, or wardrobe cabinets, give our team a call. Take a moment to peruse our online portfolio to see beautifully customized work. Our Eco Minded Solutions team feels confident that we can help you design and install the best custom cabinets that look perfect for your home.
