Designing cabinetry is a very detailed process, and there are many components and accents that can be incorporated. Before we get into that, let’s talk about the kinds of cabinetry that are out there.

Stock Cabinetry and RTA - These cabinets are often available for purchase off the shelf or are in stock and ready to ship. The cabinet sizes are limited, and so are the options when it comes to door styles, colors, and accessories. In some instances, you can design a beautiful kitchen with these cabinets, but you may end up with awkward or dead spaces and fillers because the cabinets are not custom designed to fit your unique space. While the price point on these cabinets is low, often times so is the quality.

Box Cabinets- These will come pre-assembled from a factory. You can find cabinet brands to meet all price points and quality levels. Some cabinetry lines are limited in what they offer, and some are very extensive in terms of door styles, colors, accessories, and custom abilities. Box cabinetry will typically come in standard cabinet sizes, but there will be a lot more options when compared to stock cabinetry. Custom modifications to their standard offering can be made but will vary depending on what the manufacturer allows. These are often referred to as semi-custom box cabinets.

Custom Cabinetry- You have a lot more flexibility and options when it comes to custom cabinetry, but offerings can also vary depending on the cabinet maker and the shop capabilities.

The design of your kitchen and the details you want will often determine the type of cabinetry that will work best for your space, and the best way to get started on your kitchen remodel is to consult with an Interior Designer who can help you to put a plan in place.

So let’s talk details! Starting with cabinet door overlay. What is that? The term overlay refers to the amount that the cabinet door covers the face of the cabinet. There are 3 styles- Full Overlay, Standard or 1/2 Overlay, and Inset. Full overlay doors are modern and clean and hide the seams between cabinet boxes. Standard (or 1/2) overlay reveals a part of the cabinet face frame. Inset door are actually inset into the cabinet face frame instead of overlaying it. Inset doors are classic and give a unique look to your kitchen.

In the gallery below, you will see different examples of Full Overlay, Standard Overlay, and Inset.

Now that we got cabinet types out of the way, let’s talk about decorative details and accents. There are so many! The details that go into your kitchen cabinetry is what makes it unique and takes it from basic cabinet boxes to something that was custom designed with your style in mind.

Valances are used to add character to your cabinetry either in a toe kick, on the bottom of a wall cabinet, or as a detail in your hood.