How to Make Stock Cabinets Look Custom

Cabinet design can have a dramatic effect on a room’s appearance. Stock cabinets are an economical option that can easily be spruced up to look custom-made. To upgrade your home or add value to a house you plan to flip, give your cabinets a refined look by using different colored paint, varying the height and depth of the cabinets, adding glass panels, or installing unique hardware.

Start by choosing cabinets that reflect the style and architecture of the house. If you have a traditional, center-hall colonial, go with a classic design. If your home is modern, lean toward contemporary styles.

If your cabinets deviate too far from the style of the home, they will feel out of place. Kitchen cabinet suppliers and manufacturers usually have cabinet door samples you can use to see how they look in your home.

Stock cabinets are mass-produced, whereas custom cabinets are made to order and can be tailored to any taste or preference. If the price for custom cabinets is more than you can afford, you can still add eye-catching design elements to make them look custom-designed.

After you settle on a cabinet style, you can customize their appearance by adding enhancements:

Color can have a major impact on the mood of a room. Apply paint to all or a portion of the cabinets. Neutral colors (e.g., white or gray) can give a modern look. Barn red, green, and earth tones offer a more rustic, intimate appeal. White can make an area seem larger and more spacious, which helps when a room is small.

If you’re feeling adventurous, create a two-tone kitchen with contrasting paint colors. For example, you can use one color on lower cabinets and another on upper cabinets. Alternatively, an accent color can be used on a kitchen island to make it a centerpiece.

Rather than straight rows of matching cabinets, try playing with the dimensions of the layout. By staggering matching cabinets of different heights and depths, you can create a usual, custom aesthetic. Mixing cabinet heights can make it easier to accommodate kitchen appliances that might otherwise sit on a countertop. 

Rather than the cabinet faces being constructed from the same material, replace some panels with glass or a decorative metal screen for more variety.

Carefully placed shelves, organizers, and dividers can minimize clutter and keep your space cleaner and more organized. Open shelving allows you to display curated décor, plants, or other items for added visual interest. Another option is to hang pots and pans from a rack hung on the ceiling.

If you are doing a new installation, consider installing cabinets to the ceiling. To improve existing cabinets, add a panel above the top cabinet to give the appearance that the cabinets extend to the ceiling to make them look taller. However, this may not be feasible if the house already has high ceilings.

Think about details that can enhance the appeal of your cabinets. New pulls and knobs are an easy, yet effective, way to add pizzazz. Other elements that can complement cabinets and make them shine are a backsplash of usual tiles, colorful countertops, floating shelves, under-shelf lighting, etc.

Crown molding comes in many widths and designs. Adding it above your cabinets will make them look taller and add a distinctive touch. Trim or faux furniture feet can also be added around the bottom of floor cabinets.

You can also customize your appliances by building a cabinet enclosure for them to slide into. Resurface the stove hood and refrigerator with something that matches or coordinates with the cabinetry.

Adding a custom flair to existing or new off-the-shelf cabinets is a simple and easy way to jazz up a room. Cabinets naturally draw attention in a room and can serve as a centerpiece or backdrop in your design.

27EStore is your go-to source of custom cabinets that won’t bust your budget. Our wide range of innovative, quality European-style home improvement products allows you to customize stock cabinets and elevate spaces in your home or investment property!