Open concept kitchens are a favorite in modern home design. They’re popular because they create a seamless flow between cooking, dining, and living spaces. But designing your dream open-concept kitchen can also come with challenges. One of the biggest? Storage.

Without traditional walls and corners, it can be tricky to figure out where all your kitchen tools, cookware, and pantry items will live. That’s where custom cabinetry comes in. With the right cabinet design, you can keep your kitchen clutter-free, functional, and beautiful without sacrificing that open, airy feel.

Here’s how to make it work brilliantly in your custom kitchen.

Start with a Layout that Zones the Space

Custom cabinets can help define “zones” within your open concept kitchen. You might use a large island to visually separate the kitchen from the living room while incorporating deep drawers, shelves, or even built-in appliances. Tall pantry-style cabinets along one wall can mark the kitchen’s boundary without adding actual walls.

Use Cabinets as Architectural Elements

Instead of treating cabinets as just another storage must-have, treat them like part of the kitchen structure. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry can anchor a space and add visual interest. Floating cabinets or glass front uppers help keep things feeling light while still providing storage.

Mix Open and Closed Storage

Too many closed cabinets in an open layout can start to feel boxy or heavy. On the flip side, too much open shelving can make a space feel cluttered. A custom combo of both allows you to hide less aesthetic items (like blenders or Tupperware) while displaying beautiful dishware or glassware.

Blend Materials with the Rest of the Home

Your cabinetry doesn’t have to scream “kitchen.” In open layouts, cabinetry should echo the materials and tones used throughout the connected spaces. That might mean extending wood tones into a media console in the living area or matching kitchen cabinet hardware with finishes on nearby built-ins.

Maximize Island Storage

In an open layout, the island often becomes the visual centerpiece and it’s also your best bet for extra storage. Opt for custom drawers, integrated wine racks, pull-out shelves, or even hidden outlets inside your cabinets. If the kitchen’s island is facing a living space, consider paneling that blends in with the room’s overall aesthetic.

Conceal Appliances Behind Cabinetry

To keep the open concept vibe cohesive, hide appliances behind cabinet panels. Custom fronts can disguise fridges, dishwashers, and even range hoods. This “hidden kitchen” approach reduces visual clutter and makes the kitchen feel more like a natural part of the larger living space.

Don’t Forget Vertical Space

With fewer walls to work with, every inch counts in your custom kitchen. Tall cabinets can help you take full advantage of ceiling height without overwhelming the room. Add pull-out ladders or step stools stored in a toe kick drawer for safe, stylish access.

Lighting Matters

Well-placed lighting in and around your custom cabinets can add all the inviting warmth and depth to the kitchen. Undercabinet lighting, glass cabinet backlights, and integrated LED strips can all help define spaces and enhance ambience.

Cabinetry That Matches Adjacent Furniture

One clever trick for blending open concept spaces is to design custom cabinets that echo nearby furniture styles. For example, your kitchen island could borrow leg details from your dining table, or your built-ins might use the same finish as your media console.

Custom cabinets make open concept kitchens more functional, stylish, and in sync with the rest of your home. With thoughtful planning and the right materials, your kitchen can be both the heart and the anchor of your open floor plan.

Want a kitchen that fits your open concept lifestyle perfectly? Reach out to Edgewood Cabinetry to start designing your dream custom kitchen today.

Small kitchen spaces can feel cramped, especially when entertaining. Creating a more open layout will make a tiny kitchen appear larger and more enjoyable by creating a space that feels more connected to the rest of the home. From simple upgrades to a full remodel, there are various ways to make that little kitchen into a big focal point.

Bring the rest of the home in

If the walls feel like they are closing in on you while you’re preparing a meal, open them up. With a little renovation, making a doorway wider or knocking out a wall will greatly increase the perceived size of your kitchen. Kitchens with smaller footprints are not suited for islands, but you can create a peninsula-style entertaining or food prep area that separates the kitchen from the dining or living room. This will allow you to further define your kitchen space while simultaneously making it a part of the adjoining room. Kitchens with open layouts like these will make the space feel less claustrophobic, even if the square footage stays the same.

If tearing up your kitchen is not an option, move up for space. Take your cabinets all the way to the ceiling to make your kitchen space appear taller. Open shelving is another way to make kitchens appear bigger. You may consider having a single shelf above doorways and windows to showcase prized kitchen heirlooms. If your kitchen has a door, remove it to create a more open and inviting atmosphere.

The illusion of color

When choosing color, this rule of thumb is helpful: dark colors make things appear smaller and light colors make things appear larger. You will want to avoid dark colors like reds and browns and opt instead for creamy tans or airy greens. White is also a good color, but keep it from looking sterile with splashes of complementing accents. Select cabinet colors that complement your walls. Choose light wood stains or paint colors that highlight rather than detract from your wall color.

Your floors and countertops should have just as much consideration when it comes to color. Light to medium colored flooring works best in a smaller kitchen space. Select glass tile for backsplashes to have as much reflection as possible. Planning on granite or quartz for your countertops? Stay away from pieces that contain too much dark flecks or striations.

Light it up

Big, bulky lights or hanging chandelier styles bring the ceiling down. Raise it up with recessed lighting or track lighting that allows you to direct light in different directions. If you like the look of pendant lighting, keep the number to a minimum and supplement with directional recessed lighting. Consider placing LED spotlights under wall cabinets to brighten counter space. If you go with open shelving, light up each shelf as well.

If possible, bring in as much natural light as you can into your kitchen. Do this by installing skylights or enlarging a window. Choose appliances that reflect light, such as white or stainless steel. Keep decoration to a minimum. Cluttering your space with too many objects will create more shadows.

Want to know more about creating kitchens with open layouts? Contact us to learn how we can help you design a more enjoyable kitchen space.

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Incorporate Custom Cabinets Into an Open-Concept Kitchen