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inset vs overlay cabinets-edgewood custom cabinetry

Full Overlay or Inset Kitchen Cabinets?

Full overlay or Inset Kitchen Cabinets?

While there are differences between the cabinet designs, they are all lovely. In the end, the real difference is aesthetics and not function. Therefore, go with your preference. The three styles available are inset, full overlay, and partial overlay.

Inset Kitchen Cabinets

The doors in inset cabinets are inset into the frame, giving the cabinets a flat front surface while framing each cabinet door. This is a lovely look, which takes more talent and craftsmanship to produce. It is rather rare to actually see inset cabinets, because the extra craftsmanship, time, and effort increases the cost of the cabinets. Since this is a decorative touch, most people choose convenient internal improvements to the cabinets instead.

Full Overlay Cabinets

The doors completely cover the frame, giving the flat front surface without the framing effect of the inlay. This also gives you a slightly larger cabinet, as the inset doors do take space away from the overall size. This is such a beautiful look that it is what you see in many award-winning kitchens. Because of the savings associated with this style, many people invest instead in space and work saving improvements on the inside of the cabinets, such as pull out shelving, corner turntable cabinets, and deep organized drawers.

Partial Overlay Cabinets

With partial overlay cabinets, the doors overlay the frame with a gap that shows the underlying frame. This gives the cabinet a framed look, but the effect is not flat. However, you have the choice of using finger-pulls instead of hardware on these cabinet doors. This is good for a clean sharp look. The complaint most seen with inset and full overlay cabinets is that you are more likely to pinch your fingers with them. The doors either close into the frame or so close together that they can pinch easily. They also require hardware, because the doors cannot be opened without it. With or without hardware, the partial overlay cabinets are not likely to pinch your fingers.

More Thoughts on Style

It is not uncommon today for upper cabinets and lower ones to differ in style. If you love the look of inlay cabinets, you can use them for upper cabinets where the delightful style will show beautifully and use full overlay for your lower cabinets. This is especially nice when coupled with other features that set the cabinets apart, such as a lighter color for one than the other. Making the upper and lower cabinets differ in color or style is an option that is gaining in popularity.

Remember that the most important features of your kitchen are entirely based on your style, tastes, and preferences. Contact us at Edgewood Cabinetry to learn more about all the beautiful options you have in designing your new kitchen, with style and work-saving features you will love for many years.

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Cabinets Are Not Just for the Kitchen

Thinking outside the kitchen triangle

Cabinets are really just built-in pieces of furniture, and really are useful in so many more places than we usually put them. Let’s take a look at cabinets in the master bedroom.

That chest of drawers you have in your bedroom that holds clothes has to be moved from time-to-time to clean underneath. When you do finally move it, you find the things that have fallen behind or gotten under it. Maybe an earring you thought you’d lost, a sock you couldn’t find, or even money. Now think what it would be like if that was a beautiful cabinet, with no gap behind it and no space underneath for dust and lost items to hide.

Do you have a TV in your bedroom? A slimmed-down version of an entertainment center would make that TV space give you more storage as well as make the space more lovely. You can even have doors that open when you want to turn the TV on and close when you don’t want to see it. You could have drawers underneath for more clothes, or cabinets that would hold bed linens, or even some of each. Once again, there is no need to move a heavy piece of furniture to clean or look for lost items under.

You could even have a built-in headboard and night stands. This is a space that often goes unnoticed, but we always have a need for places to put things like books, drinks, clocks, and lamps. A headboard with night stands would go so well your other cabinets, making the room truly match and look lovely.

These are just a few ideas of places you can use cabinets, besides the kitchen or bathroom. If you look around your house, you are sure to find more. Because you don’t move cabinets around and they are secured to the wall, they stay looking lovely longer than most furniture.

At Edgewood Cabinetry LLC, we  build and install the finest custom cabinetry, and we look forward to helping you with all your cabinetry needs. Contact us today for more information.

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Three Steps to Declutter Your Kitchen Worktops

Kitchens are the heart of the home and now more than ever they can be both beautiful and functional.

But, if you are struggling with too much clutter on your counter-tops, here are three steps to declutter your kitchen worktops

take them from an unorganized nightmare to your perfect dream kitchen.

  1. Evaluate your small appliances: Every day some new and improved small appliance appears on the market. Many of these appliances take up precious worktop space while only serving one specific purpose.  Take time to evaluate, reduce and consolidate by selecting appliances that provide multiple uses for a variety of needs.
  2. Plan ahead: Make a list of what you use your kitchen for. Do you cook at home or eat out? Do you want a coffee station or an indoor grill? Using the list, think about specific needs to allow you to use your kitchen efficiently. Then plan your custom cabinets to give you space to store the tools, utensils, and appliances that best fit your needs. Having a designated storage place for everything allows you to keep your workspace free of clutter.
  3. Get creative: The beauty of custom cabinets is that it allows you to look at innovative new options for storing frequently used items at your fingertips. Consider corner shelving units and tambour doors to hide items from sight while still making them easy to access.  This is especially good if the object is heavy and hard to move in and out of a traditional cabinet space. Love coffee or baking? Install a built-in coffee machine in your kitchen cabinet design. Or create a separate baking station with a pull out mixer drawer, flour storage and a dropped-down counter section for kneading and rolling dough. It’s your kitchen! Make it reflect you and your cooking style and needs.

And don’t forget beauty. Today’s kitchens balance high-efficient use-of-space coupled with stunning colors and materials. There is a style and design perfect for your dream kitchen. Clear away that clutter and enjoy the potential of your beautiful kitchen space. 

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The Do’s & Don’ts For Preserving the Beauty of Painted Cabinets

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a wonderful way to add character to your home.

However, cabinets in such a high-traffic area are more likely to take a beating from exposure to cooking messes, heat, moisture, and other hazards that can damage paint and compromise the beauty of your cabinets.

Properly caring for your cabinets will considerably prolong their lifespan, keep them looking attractive, and save you time and money by preventing unnecessary repairs and restoration costs.

Do’s

  • Clean spills from cabinets as soon as they happen. Removing food or liquid splashes from the cabinet’s surface when they are still fresh will stop stains in their tracks.

  • Cabinets that surround the stove top are susceptible to damage from cooking grease and smoke. Regularly wiping down these areas is beneficial to keep them from slowly developing discoloration over time.

  • While cleaning try not to saturate cabinets. Over-wetting can potentially warp the surface. Instead, clean small areas at a time with a soft, damp cloth. Work in a circular motion, drying with another soft cloth afterward

Don’ts

  • Avoid harsh cleaning materials. They can actually be more counterproductive than beneficial, actually contributing to the damage of your painted cabinets. Some examples include abrasive scrubbers like steel wool, ammonia-based detergents, and citrus-like cleaners that can be highly acidic. Test products on the backside of cabinets before applying them to visible areas.

  • Don’t get in over your head when your cabinets do require repairs. Fixing dents and dings on painted cabinets can be difficult, especially with no prior experience. Knowing when to recruit a professional will be a better guarantee to keep your cabinets looking beautiful.

For more information on how you can protect your cabinet investment and maintain their aesthetic quality contact us today.

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Think Outside The Kitchen

You already know that quality shows. Custom crafted furnishings are original pieces of art. Designed to fit perfectly in the intended space, and constructed from superior materials.

There simply is no comparison between custom kitchen cabinetry and the pre-fab version.

Why stop with the kitchen? There are opportunities for creative uses for cabinets in almost any room in your home.

Imagine a platform bed, or even bunks and artwork fashioned from base cabinets. Create a high-end built-in look with ample storage in a child’s room that will withstand the test of time.

Window seats are trending these days. Cabinetry forms the perfect resting place for cushions and pillows. Now you have extra seating in a dining or family room, and a place to curl up with a good book. Make your living space the envy of the neighborhood by flanking a fireplace with glass fronted cabinets to artwork and photographs, or give your laundry room a polished look

Bathrooms are getting larger, but too often they are lacking a separate water closet. A column of upper and lower cabinets will afford both privacy and additional storage.

What could be better than a walk-in closet? A closet fitted with beautiful millwork, storage cabinets and an island. Add a chandelier and a small bench for a designer look.

Before you go shopping at a “big-box” store for a desk, bench or headboard, contact us.

We will take your ideas and craft beautiful furniture to elevate the look and feel of your home. At Edgewood Cabinetry, we are so much more than kitchens.

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edgewood custom cabinetry-white shaker kitchen with gray island-Smithfield nc

Lunch or No Lunch

When you purchase a cabinet, you are buying a piece of furniture for your kitchen.

If you want to get your furniture at a discount store, yes, you actually may save a little money.

IKEA mass-produces kitchen cabinet sets. The only customization is your choice of size, color and some features.

The items that you order, if they are in stock, are shipped to you for assembly and installation. Not sure what to order? IKEA offers an a-la-carte menu of services that includes design assistance, measurements, assembly, and installation. At the end of a long day, (be prepared to spend lots of time navigating the layout of the store and dealing with a lengthy ordering process) IKEA will save you money by using inexpensive materials on units that come to you in pieces. The good news is, when all is said and done, they do look nice. As an added bonus, you can have lunch at the on-site restaurant, or purchase some lingonberry jam while you are there. 

A custom kitchen will cost more. Your cabinets are hand-crafted, designed with the unique layout and limitations of your space, and fashioned from quality materials (no MDF). Expect an exceptional finished product and a level of customer service that you will not find in a discount store.

At Edgewood Cabinetry, we do on-site visits, re-designs if needed, and we are always available to speak to you on the phone (good luck with that at a big-box retail location).

If deep pot drawers, slide out spice racks, appliance garages and sponge drawers are on your wish list than custom cabinets is the way to go.

The difference between IKEA vs. custom cabinets may actually be less than you think. If you have a small kitchen or an unusual layout, you will pay extra for filler materials at IKEA to facilitate a finished look. In the end, you end up with some wasted space and additional labor costs. Due diligence is not just for lawyers. When you calculate the cost of materials, delivery, assembly, and installation you may actually only be a few thousand dollars away from a high-end look that will add equity and resale value to your home.

If you want lunch, visit IKEA. If you want a well-appointed, impeccably dressed kitchen, come see us.

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custom cabinets clayton nc-edgewood cabinetry

Four Things to Consider Before You Shop For New Cabinets

Ready to ditch that builder’s grade kitchen from 30 years ago?

Honey oak cabinets have seen their day and we are happy to shut the door on that era with you.

If you are ready to bid adieu to your old kitchen, Edgewood Cabinetry is ready to help you bring your design dreams to life.

Here are a few things you should consider before you shop for new cabinets. 

1. Size and layout of your current space. Not everyone has a large open space that can accommodate their dream kitchen. Consider whether you will need to make extra space by knocking down a wall or adding on to your house. If your area is adequate, do you like the current layout? Maybe your sink and stove are in the wrong places. A good contractor can assess a room and make recommendations for how to take advantage of your space.

2. The amount and location of natural and artificial light. We can’t all have giant windows flooding the kitchen with gorgeous natural light. Sometimes the windows are too far away or facing the wrong direction to take advantage of that. If you are short on light, consider using a lighter shade for your cabinetry. White is a classic choice, especially with southern architecture, but if that doesn’t sound appealing, a soft gray is a great alternative. If you love the look of stained wood, we have many wood grains and stains from which to choose. Even when a kitchen has plenty of natural light, you will still need to plan for task lighting for those times when you are doing up-close work. Be sure to ask about all of the under-cabinet lighting options when you visit a showroom.

3. Storage needs. Do you have a pantry closet? If so, your storage needs are primarily for dishes. If not, adding a pantry cabinet and dry goods storage is an excellent way to maximize your cabinet space. Either way, Edgewood Cabinets boasts a variety of built-in organization tools that can keep anyone’s clutter under control.

4. Personal style. Be sure to browse some pictures online to try to narrow down what really appeals to you. Do you love fancy millwork? Traditional may be your style. Are you a big fan of clean lines and a simple design? Contemporary may be a hit for you. We can make cabinetry to suit any style.

Before you shop for new cabinets, consider this:

Everyone’s kitchen need is different, so why go to the expense of replacing cabinets if you may not get precisely what you need from a set purchased at a big-box store? The great thing about custom cabinetry is that no matter the size, layout, lighting, storage needs, or personal style, Edgewood Cabinetry can make a kitchen work for you.

Please, contact us or visit our showroom to begin planning your dream kitchen.

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Cabinet Storage Options

 

One of the easiest ways to maximize the efficiency of your house is to use products specifically designed to increase storage capacity and usage of existing spaces, such as inside cabinets and closets.  Many people are aware of lazy Susans and rotating corner systems, but there are dozens of other options out there as well so that you do not have to retro fit your kitchen in order to make the best use of your space. You can also choose from a wide variety of drawer organizers, roll-out tray storage, spice racks, base cabinet swing-out pantries, under-cabinet pull downs, cabinet door organizers, swiveling baskets and more.  For your laundry area, you can choose built-in ironing centers, hampers and a slew of racks to keep your laundry center running smoothly

 

 

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Double Stacked Kitchen Cabinets, Yes or No?

 When it comes  to getting a beautiful new kitchen, nothing can be more exciting, but at the same time frustrating.

You have probably been pouring over the design publications, as well as finding your favorites online at some of the popular sites.

You think you know what you want, but need to investigate seriously if it is a good option for you.

This post will help you with a decision on double stacked kitchen cabinets.

Pros

  • Utilizes space above cabinetry.
  • Solid doors provide storage space for bulky items or items not often used.
  • Glass front doors can also be lit and provide a decorative accent space.
  • Completes the look of the kitchen.

Cons

  • May not be enough space above cabinetry. It depends on the height of your cabinets, and height of your ceiling.
  • Inconvenient to access so need to use some type of step stool.
  • Could add a danger factor in trying to access items that are overhead.
  • The cost may be prohibitive.
  • They may make your kitchen look too busy or cramped.
Reading a list like this may help you to decide if double stacked kitchen cabinets are right for you.

There are other options, such as an angled corner cabinet with lighted glass to use as an accent display. Or a pantry cabinet designated for bulky items. But, you have always dreamed of the look of double stacked cabinets in your kitchen. In fact, it is all you can think of that you really like. You will never know what will work for you unless you contact us to get a professional design for your new kitchen. We also provide you with a 3D design with the color you have chosen.

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