Most Kitchens are not one size fits all when kitchen cabinetry design and the layout is being looked at. This can be frustrating when you are planning the new layout of your kitchen cabinets.
Typically, the walls can be various sizes and lengths as well as the windows being off center on the wall where the kitchen sink needs to sit, not to mention the electrical work and duct work for venting for the hood/ blower have a part to play in the overall layout.
With using our custom cabinetry by HUNTWOOD Cabinets we are able to create cabinets that fit the space perfectly taking away ugly filler pieces that can throw off the look of the overall design. How you ask? Unlike other cabinet companies- We are actually able to design each cabinet to a very specific dimension needed to fit your space. We are able to modify the cabinets by height width and depth down to 1/4″ of an inch!
“Well that all sounds great but I’m trying to save money by NOT going with custom cabinetry” As an interior designer I fully understand needing to stay within a budget, and the BEST thing to for a designer is to know and understand what that budget is. So that we can help you get the look you want while helping you understand what is realistic and what is not to fit inside of your budget. I would say about 8/10 going with our custom cabinet line actually makes it easier to stay within budget because we can do smaller cabinets. for example, you may only need a 33″ sink base, but most companies only offer 36″ so you are paying for extra material and loosing space on either side of the cabinet that could have been utilized. I like to give my clients and knowledge about the cabinetry do they fully understand what they are getting and why. Below are general tips on how I start your cabinet design plan.
Starting your design:
For your kitchen cabinetry design, you will Look at where your window lays out on your wall, you want to start with a sink base cabinet keeping in mind the sink width, you will take the width of your sink and add 3″ to get the correct size sink base. Depending on if you have a corner to address, you will need to add a corner cabinet. For example, if you have an “L” shape wall depending on how much room you have most kitchens will have the option for a blind corner base cabinet or a corner cabinet that may have an option of a lazy Susan in it. Next is the dishwasher, it will need to go on the side of the sink where the plumbing is provided for it, but I usually suggest that if you are right-handed it should go on the right side of sink, if you are left-handed it should go on the left side of the sink. I then place my other appliances where they need to go. Fridge, cooktop/ oven(s), microwave will be next, and they are the biggest things to consider because they may require cabinetry themselves, which means the cabinet has to be made specifically for the appliance. You will need to have all the specs for your appliances- and I suggest finding the installation guides in PDF’s usually found on the vendors websites. If you are wanting a slide in Oven, then you will make sure you are leaving an adequate amount space for it. For cooktops you will have to find what size cabinet you will need and decide on if you will be wanting a drawer base or cabinet base below it. Please keep in mind that when going with a draw base more than often eh top drawer will be a false front. For a built-in oven or combo unit again, you will have to refer to the appliance specs or installation guides provided by the vendor. and they should have very specific notations on how big the cabinet has to be along with what size cut outs are needed for the unit(s) to fit into, this is also true for the built-in microwave unit. Next the fridge will also need to be considered especially if there will be a cabinet above and panels to surround it. Typically, I design the cabinet above the fridge at 36.5″ wide when a 36″ wide fridge is going in between decorative side panels, this allows for a little room for the fridge. After these items are considered, I fill in the spaces between these items with base cabinets the customer has chosen whether that is drawer banks or cabinets with adjustable shelving. For uppers I take into consideration the ceiling height first, then my client’s budget and the look they want. For taller cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling it can bring a customer way over budget so that will determine the overall height of the uppers. That being said whatever the upper heights are it will help determine the height of the cabinet above the fridge. Its very important to keep in k=mind the moldings involved especially the crown as you will want it to end before you get to the end of the wall so tis actually will determine the widths of the uppers as well as the space between uppers and windows involved. Another thing to consider is the ending of uppers over the top of the countertop and how the backsplash line effects that measurement as well.
If this seems overwhelming it may be a good time to consider hiring a professional to help you determine exactly what will work for your kitchen, it always better to get help than to regrets costly mistakes down the road.
Custom Cabinets for your Kitchen
