All about cabinets

There is fun to be had designing the different rooms in your own home and once you’ve got an image in mind it’s time to take the next step and choose the cabinets. 

So where do you begin?

With so many cabinets styles and types to choose from it could be difficult to know what it is exactly you want.

Types of Cabinets

There are three main types of cabinets; stock cabinets, semi-custom, and custom cabinets.

Stock cabinets are basic, economical and fit for purpose. They are generally available in fixed sizes and work for most rooms and purposes. However, due to their one size fits all structure they are difficult to adapt to every space and come with a limited range of accessories.

Semi-custom cabinets offer more styles, features and range of materials. They come with a larger price tag than stock kitchen cabinets and sometimes have a longer delivery time but are a great solution to those room designs with the need for more versatility and flexibility.

Custom cabinets are designed to your exact requirements, as they can be made in any material and with any features and extras that you wish for. When following a bespoke design and creating cabinets from scratch they can be more expensive due to the labour, expertise and skill involved, especially if handmade. However, when using a CNC machine on a contract cutting basis, custom kitchen cabinets can be cost-effective.

Cabinet options

No matter the room you’re designing, there are plenty of cabinet options available to you to fit your purpose. Broken down into simple categories: wall, base, tall, and display cabinets as well as distinguishing between cabinet use and whether you want drawers or doors.

It is here, in these details where you will find the key components that pull your design together.

Wall / Upper Cabinets

Wall cabinets sit attached to the wall above a countertop at shoulder height and above. Due to the prominent visual position in a room, wall cabinets often can be found with a variety of features such as glass doors and in any size, you need to fit your space, including open storage boxes mounted on the wall. They often house the most used items in a room and are easy to access.

Wall cabinets attach to the wall studs with screws and have some degree of flexibility as they can be moved and rearranged if needed.

Have fun with your wall cabinets and allow them to be an extension of your style; a reflection of the colours and materials you love. Your home is your castle, as they say, so let your cabinetry be more than just storage.

Base Cabinets & Islands

Base cabinets are the predominant feature of kitchens and bathrooms and rest directly on the floor. Often viewed as a permanent structure that dictates the footprint of the room, they can be secured directly into the wall studs and have the benchtop placed on top which is then sealed to the wall, or be the focal point of the room as a kitchen island with seating.

Base cabinets stand on legs, hidden behind a toe kick, a piece of material in either the same style as the cabinet or in some cases, an extension of the floor (especially if you have vinyl flooring). Versatile in use, these cabinets are considered to be the heavy-duty workhorses as they store the larger, heavier items of a room. In a kitchen, they also provide the base for the sink and stove hob.

Due to their stand out position, base cabinets should be both stylish and functional. Use your base cabinets to add colour, and contrast with the benchtops (or even wall cabinets) above. Add texture with grooves that create depth and warmth to a room, whilst providing a stunning focal point. The options are endless with a huge array of materials and styles to be inspired by.

Tall / Utility Cabinets

A tall cabinet, also known as a utility cupboard or a pantry, is a dynamic cabinet which maximises floor to ceiling space and can be arranged in a series of drawers, slim storage spaces, or full pullout shelving. As a utility cupboard, you would expect to find household appliances such as the microwave or the kettle in a kitchen, or the vacuum, mop and bucket or broom in a laundry.

As a pantry, the main function is to store food and can be designed with all whole heap of fun extras such as spice racks on the inner door. There has been an increase in pull-out pantries which allows access to all items from all three sides.

An organised and effective pantry is a joy and removes the annoyance of losing groceries in the back. As tall cabinets allow maximum use of space, be creative with their design and ensure access to all those hard to reach areas, no matter the room.

Drawers or Doors?

There is a shift between having a cabinet with doors or cabinet drawers. Cabinet cupboards with doors are the go-to for wall cabinets where drawers simply would not work however, base cabinets can be designed with drawers that fit any awkward areas. Perfect for maximising space and removing the annoying ‘can’t get to the back’ problem found in cupboards.

The beauty of both these options is that as you design your room layout, you can mix and match the two in order to ensure the maximum usage of your space. Both options can be designed with the same aesthetics and so functionality does not compromise style.

Hide-Away or On-Display?

A display cabinet is exactly what it sounds like, a place to put something on display. More often than not it has a glass frontage and can be found in both residential and commercial properties.

Whether highlighting your best china in the kitchen, housing your prized collection in the living room or showcasing a jewellery collection in your wardrobe, a display cabinet is versatile. From a freestanding unit or secured to a wall, display cabinets are a flexible and useful piece of furniture.

The most important element about a display cabinet is that it is there to be seen and has unlimited potential in a home. Get creative with the little extras that can truly add extra WOW factor to a display cabinet, with mirror backs or installed lights that truly showcase your collections.

Cut-to-size

At Cutshop, we know cabinets and our staff are able to offer expert advice for any of your cabinet needs. Whether you are itching to tidy up the laundry; a clean, simple but practical space or renovating the kitchen and have your hearts set on a more stylish, detailed and bespoke area, our team are ready to ready to help.