A quick and easy guide to designing custom kitchen cabinetry

Kitchens were once a room hidden away from the rest of the home, but the rise of open-plan living, foodie culture and the popularity of at-home entertaining has repositioned this once-utilitarian room to the heart of the home. As such, kitchen design requires just as much thought, planning and consideration as that of any other room of the home, perhaps more so due the fact it's usually where we entertain family, friends and visiting guests. 

Isabelle Acar is the managing director of JPC Kitchens, A family-owned business in Sydney that has been crafting custom kitchen and cabinetry since 1984. Naturally, she has some excellent insight into the latest trends, design ideas and value of custom kitchen cabinetry. ‘The main benefit of designing a kitchen to suit your room is that you can customise the layout to ensure every inch of space is functional,” says Isabelle. “Plus, custom cabinetry looks beautiful within the home due to its bespoke nature.”

Custom kitchen cabinetry of a high quality will always be perfectly tailored to suit the specific home and space in which it sits, says Isabelle. The cabinetry should be level, there should be no unnecessary ‘fillers’ or ‘dead’ corners, such as storage space that is inaccessible.

“Cabinets should provide a functional and beautiful layout with additional accessories and lighting to provide extra utility,” says Isabelle. “Pull-out pantries, bins, corner shelves and extra storage – such as concealed appliance cabinets, study nooks and bench seats – are all hallmarks of high-quality fit-outs.”

When it comes to engaging a professional joiner, Isabelle suggests investigating how long your potential choice has been in business and always asking the joiner to provide you with examples of previously completed kitchens. “You can also look to see if they are members of registered industry bodies such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA) or Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA),” says Isabelle.

Angelique Perak, director of design business Studio Duo Architecture and Interiors, reiterates the importance of choosing a joiner based on trusted references. “It is also best to see their previous work in person and visit their showroom or workshop. The critical component of fabulous joinery is the detail,” says Angelique. “Communication is key to ensuring there are no surprises, and a joiner with a well-organised workshop, who is happy for you to come in and discuss the detailing prior to them pricing the work, is a very good sign.”

There are three styles of kitchen designs proving popular in Australia right now, says Isabelle: light, bright and modern; classic Hamptons; dark and dramatic. “Think of handleless white streamlined doors with a soft coloured benchtop and timber accents for the first, and a classic Hamptons-style kitchen with shaker profile doors, farmhouse sinks and ornate trims for the second,” says Isebelle. “The third is often characterised by black or charcoal doors and cabinet interiors with matching black hinges and drawers, along with smoked mirror splashbacks and LED strip lights.”  

Richly-hued kitchens have also emerged as a trend in kitchen design. “Blues and greens are currently trending, but the latest design advice suggests warmer colour palettes are on the horizon,” says Isabelle.

In terms of cabinetry style, colour and material palette, Angelique has noticed people are becoming more adventurous with their colour selections and styles. “Even with a neutral palette, I’m seeing a lot more two-toned kitchen colour schemes or mixing two styles of door profile,” says Angelique. “Texture is being brought back into homes with more bold choices in benchtop stone and splashback tiling. With considered design, timeless design doesn’t need to be monotone.”

While understanding and appreciating current trends is essential to crafting a kitchen du jour, colours, styles and materials that will endure the test of time is always a smart investment. Isabelle suggests melamine doors and kitchen panels for durability and variety of colours, finishes and textures at an excellent price point. “We use this material for people with young children and rental properties , its sturdy nature,” she adds. “Matte and gloss finishes will often wear the same, while melamine, acrylic or HPL materials are the most robust. Dark-coloured cabinetry and gloss finishes show fingerprints more than others.”

For those looking to procure premium materials, Isabelle recommends Fenix which is a matte, nanotech high-pressure laminate board. “This material makes use of multi-layer coating and nanotechnology and is characterised by next-generation acrylic resins, hardened and fixed with an electron beam curing process, which means it’s fingerprint resistant and extremely hard wearing,” says Isabelle.

When it comes to materials, Angelique has some sage advice. “It’s important to know your client well when choosing finishes. For example, depending on the users of the space, I would discuss benchtop solutions with the client, weighing up both durability and aesthetics,” says Angelique. “Marble is beautiful in some applications, however for other clients a quartz or porcelain benchtop solution may be more appropriate. A natural alternative that has a more resilient finish is quartzite. High quality hardware, drawers, runners and hinges are key to the longevity of a well-designed kitchen.”

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