Do Custom Cabinets Increase the Value of Your Home?
The foundation of good design will always be functionality. So, when you consider custom cabinetry for your home, you’ll want to ask yourself what the piece would be used for and where you would install it. If custom cabinetry is still calling your name after asking yourself those questions, then you’re in for a unique homeowner experience that yields a lot of benefits.
HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS: IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’RE WALKING THROUGH HOW CUSTOM CABINETRY CAN INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME!
Custom Cabinetry is Always Good – If Done Right!
Built-in custom cabinetry, like cabinets, will increase the value of your home simply because they will be unique to the space.Many homes, especially if they are older, cannot hold pre-made cabinetry due to varying home dimensions. This is normal and is usually remedied by awkward spacers and quick fixes.While this is definitely a route you could pursue, custom cabinetry will be (literally) made for your home’s unique style and dimensions. Of course, this is only true if you hire a carpenter you can trust.If you’re considering custom cabinetry, approach the process knowing that this custom piece will be there to stay. You’ll want to create (alongside your contractor) a custom piece that serves your home, matches your style, and offers adequate storage. Not only will this improve the experience of your home, but it can also make your home more valuable if ever you decide to sell.
Custom Cabinetry is an Investment
Depending on the size and design of custom cabinetry, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny to execute. But what do I always say? Just because it costs more doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
Like I said, custom cabinetry is designed to fit you and your specific needs; it is designed for no one other than you. With a piece that special, you’ll need to carve out some space in your budget. But remember: the pieces that last generations tend to be true investments. These pieces can save you money in the long run, especially if you wouldn’t need to replace those Ikea cabinets every three to five years.
PRICE WILL DEPEND ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS, SUCH AS…
- Open shelving vs. drawers
- Type of finish
- Size
- Hardware
OPEN SHELVING VS. DRAWERS
A series of open shelves won’t be nearly as expensive as sets of drawers, which will require more materials and additional hardware.
TYPE OF FINISH
Price can also depend on the type of finish you select for your custom cabinetry. For example, prices vary between lacquer and paint finishes. The vendor I use for my projects actually brings our custom pieces pre-painted to the job site. This increases the longevity of the pieces and allows the cabinetry to act as its own piece of furniture simply being installed into the home.
SIZE
The larger the custom piece, the more expensive it will be. The size of custom cabinetry is usually determined by your budget because of how costly it can become. For my clients, I create mockups through design programs that note dimensions. Then, my contractors will go to the physical job site to take measurements and double (and even triple) check my work. Because custom cabinetry is semi-permanent, you’ll want sizing and placement to be taken very, very seriously.
HARDWARE
Depending on the style of cabinetry, exposed hardware – such as knobs, handles, and pulls – will be necessary investments. So many homeowners think all of the hardware in their home (or even in a single space) has to match, but this approach can lead to a dull, uninteresting space. I like to mix and match materials when choosing hardware, but I am always mindful of function as well. Incorporating different kinds of hardware – like pulls and knobs – on a single unit provides character you’d miss out on if you created one uniform look.
Hardware can be expensive, which is why I always suggest that homeowners make space for these expenses in their budget right off the bat. Sometimes nothing can feel worse than reaching the end of your project (and the limit of your budget) only to realize you haven’t purchased hardware.
Why I Absolutely Love Custom Cabinetry
HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY I LOVE CUSTOM CABINETRY:
- It is incredibly gratifying to create something from scratch for your home. A one-of-a-kind piece will only exist for you and your family!
- Right now, it is faster to create custom built cabinets than to buy generic pieces from a larger brand. We’re talking about a four week process versus a six to 12-week process. Yikes.
- Carpentry is a declining art and carpenters are hard to come by. By hiring local carpenters and tradesmen, you are supporting your local community of creators.
The bottom line:
Custom cabinetry is a great way to upgrade and transform your home in a way that is completely unique to your family’s style and needs. As a designer, I believe this is one of the best things you could do for your home.
