The benefit of updating your kitchen with custom cabinetry is that you can configure it however you wish. You can choose a colour and a layout to fit your space and not have to make do with ready-made units. Here are some tips for planning your storage.
Start with Your Existing Kitchen
It can be tricky to work out exactly what you want and need with respect to cabinetry. To help, consider your current kitchen and what you like and dislike about it. Does it have a finish that you want to replicate in the new cupboards, such as a wood grain effect? Is its colour too light or too dark?
Also, think about the convenience of the existing layout. If there are any annoying aspects, you can rectify them in the rebuild. For example, you could put the cutlery drawer in a more accessible spot or add a cupboard to hold the rubbish bin right near the counter and sink area.
Upper Cabinetry
One factor you should focus on is the height of the cabinetry. If you build upper cupboards on multiple walls in a compact kitchen, it can feel crowded. Though you can overcome this effect by using pale colours or glass doors to give the room an airier feel. Rather than extending the cupboards to the ceiling, you could leave a gap at the very top. This will have the effect of making the room appear more spacious, as you can see above the cabinets.
One layout to consider is a bank of cabinets on one wall that extend from floor to ceiling. Because the entire wall is storage, it won't have a countertop. This continuity produces a sleek look, and it may provide so much storage that you don't need high cabinets on the other walls.
Kitchen Island Options
A kitchen island can bring added benefits to a room with enough floor space. But consider how you want it to function. If you plan for a social hub, you could build a nook area or a bench overhang so people can stretch their legs while sitting at the island. If the countertop is big enough, you might like to include a double sink so you can cook and prepare food more conveniently. Another option is to fit a cooktop. Bear in mind that a sink will require plumbing pipes and a stovetop will need electrical wiring, thus adding to renovation costs.
Aesthetically, an island increases design options in custom kitchens, as you can repeat the colour and finish of the other cupboards or contrast the island cupboards. Installing bold blue-green cabinetry on the island cupboards, for example, could set them apart from the grey cabinets in the rest of the kitchen. The colour combinations are endless.
For more information about creating custom kitchens, contact a local company.
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