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How Custom Cabinets Can Increase Home Value

It is no secret that custom cabinets are an investment. The price tag that comes with custom cabinets can be scary for some homeowners – especially when there are much cheaper options available. So why would a homeowner opt for custom cabinets over stock cabinets? Simply put, the inclusion of custom cabinets can increase the resale value of your home. In fact, updating your kitchen can potentially yield a 75% Return on Investment with studies touting a 80% – 100% ROI for homes with custom cabinets. But why exactly would upgrading your home have such a positive influence on your home’s value? Let’s explore some reasons why.

white painted custom cabinets french provincial design

Quality

One characteristic of custom cabinetry is the overall quality of the product. Superior craftsmanship and utmost care are the cornerstone in the production of this type of cabinet. While stock cabinets might stand up for a few years, their custom counterpart can last a lifetime. This means that future owners won’t have to worry about updating the kitchen until the time is right. Moving into a home with minimal need to change anything can be a big selling point to some homebuyers.

custom cabinets contemporary kitchen large island
Function

Cabinets are meant to help with everyday tasks. They help with organization, with decluttering, and with space optimization. In comparison to stock cabinetry, a lot of planning and fine-tuning goes into the production and installation of custom cabinets. Cabinet designers meticulously map out the cabinetry to make sure everything fits perfectly. Accessories and inserts are added to increase the functionality of your home. The purpose of all this is so that a homeowner can move about in their day with as little resistance as possible – a big plus to any homeowner.

custom cabinets painted and wood
Aesthetic

Aesthetics are a big selling point for a home and custom cabinets are known for their visual appeal. With a combination of both quality and thoughtful design, custom cabinetry can be one of the best choices any homeowner can make. Quality supports the overall look of the millwork – meaning no unsightly chips or wonky lines – and thoughtful design means nothing will look out of place or awkward. There is something so luxurious about waking up every morning in a beautiful home that you are proud to call your own.

black and wood custom cabinets
Custom cabinets are worth it

Yes, there are less expensive options. But those won’t give you near the same return as a superior product. While we argue for the value of your home, there is also a quality of life factor. The quality of the product, the functionality of your space, and the overall aesthetic appeal of your home are important just in your every day life. We don’t think you’ll regret it.

If you are wanting to take the first steps in your custom cabinet journey, please be sure to reach out to us. We will be happy to help you along the way.

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3 Ways to Make Your Kitchen a Statement Space

Making the kitchen a statement space in your home is often a desire for many homeowners. With the kitchen being the heart of any home, many homeowners look to make their kitchen what guests can’t stop talking about. But how do you achieve this? By adding striking details through design elements in your cabinetry and overall kitchen design! Let’s talk a bit more about it.

Make Your Kitchen a Statement Space with Colour

kitchen a statement space oakville ontario custom cabinets

The easiest way to make a statement is with an eye-catching cabinet colour palette. While white kitchens tend to be the standard, there is something about a two or three toned kitchen that takes the space to the next level. Mix a darker tone in with your white kitchen or add some dazzling silver or gold metal details. You can even think about blending some beautiful stained wood to add some earthy, organic character into your kitchen. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even think about adding a less typical cabinet colour like green or blue. The possibilities are endless.

Make your Kitchen a Statement Space with a Custom Hood

kitchen a statement space custom cabinets oakville ontario

A custom hood is an impressive way to make your kitchen standout. If your kitchen is big enough, think about an oversized hood. Don’t have the space available for something oversized? Instead, opt for a smaller hood with interesting custom details like metal banding or moulding to help make your hood standout. Including a custom hood is a sure-fire way to elevate the aesthetic of your kitchen and an element your guests will want to incorporate into their own homes.

Make your Kitchen a Statement Space with a Custom Island

kitchen a statement space custom cabinets london ontario

If an island is on your “must have” list for your kitchen, consider adding custom elements to your island. Custom details can be subtle – like motion censor drawer lights – or grander – like a custom table attachment – but is a great way to make your kitchen the highlight of your home. We’ve seen islands with custom leg details to appear more like a table, islands with countertops designed to appear as if it were floating, islands with built-in wine storage, and islands with cooktops that are fully integrated into the countertop. Islands are great for storage, great for utility, and great for entertaining. Why not get creative and make your kitchen island something to talk about?

You Can’t Go Wrong with a Statement Kitchen

kitchen a statement space custom cabinets oakville ontario

The kitchen is generally where people – both guests and family – gather to spend quality time together. Whether it is cooking, eating, enjoying some morning coffee, or just chatting, designing your kitchen to be both appealing and alluring is key in making your kitchen the centerpiece of your home. Consider adding some of the elements above to your kitchen or adding all three! You can always contact us to talk about how you can put a blend of statement pieces into your kitchen. We hope that this article provides some helpful tips in making your kitchen the statement space it deserves to be.

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Exciting News! Braam’s Wins 3 LHBA Awards

The Braam’s London, Ontario team had the pleasure of attending the annual LHBA’ Awards of Creative Excellence. We were finalists in three different categories – Best Kitchen Cabinetry (New), Best Kitchen Cabinetry (Renovated), and Best Bathroom Cabinetry (New). We are honoured to say that we the recipients of all three of these awards.

Braam's owners Peter and Rob and Braam's cabinet designer Ava

Now let’s get into the details of each of these award-winning projects:

Best Kitchen Cabinetry (New)

contemporary white grey wood custom kitchen with cooktop

Simple need not mean boring, and this kitchen is the perfect example. Featuring white painted cabinets on the sink and fridge wall, grey stained mahogany cabinets on the oven wall and island, and walnut accents on the custom glass display cabinets, floating shelves, and island seating area, this expertly blended mix of finishes is a testament to how exciting clean lined, contemporary design can be. Slab style cabinet doors and a fully integrated induction cooktop were used to keep with the clean lined aesthetic. The showpiece of the space is the sculptural island, which features a cantilevered table for seating.

Best Kitchen Cabinetry (Renovated)

white and black transitional kitchen with dual islands

Like a black-tie event, this black and white kitchen is elegant and superbly tailored. Featuring white painted perimeter cabinets, black stained mahogany islands, a custom black hood, black glass display shelving, and black fridge and wall oven cabinetry, the space is perfectly balanced. The double islands offer the homeowners more space to work, with one island for meal prep and the other dedicated to seating. Two sinks, one on the working island and one near the range, were included in the design to optimize workflow. The contrasting countertops and thoughtfully placed dark glass shelves tie the dark and light sections of the kitchen together. Finished with contrasting hardware finishes – black bar pulls on the white cabinets and honey bronzes bar pulls on the black cabinets – this kitchen is a lesson in elegance.  

In partnership with Inside Inc.

Best Bathroom Cabinetry (New)

mirrored vanities with wood storage modern ensuite

With two vanities, this primary ensuite caters well to a busy daily routine. The dual floating vanities were constructed using acrylic veneer in a serene tone of alabaster white. Custom finger pulls were chosen to maintain the simple, clean-lined aesthetic. Stained walnut cabinets offer visual contrast- and additional storage. The matching walnut-framed mirrors were designed to include recessed LED lights, making them not only beautiful but also very functional. Why sacrifice when you can have it all?

In partnership with Erika Friesen Design and Wasko Developments.

What a night!

The Braam’s team is so proud of the accomplishments of everyone who works so diligently to make these projects a reality. From the cabinet designers, to the manufacturing plant, to the install team, this is proof of hard work and dedication which our clients can enjoy the results of every day in their beautifully built homes. Braam’s extends our congratulations to all the other winners and finalists. London has such a robust array of talents in home building and design which was made obvious at the gala.

Thank you to everyone who was not only involved in these projects, but in all projects we have the pleasure of being apart of. Until next year!

lhba awards

Interested in connecting with a showroom? Drop us a message in our Contact Form!

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Why We Love Shaker Doors

Shaker cabinet doors are an extremely popular style. No doubt you’ve walked into a home and have gone into a kitchen to see a set of shaker door style cabinets. With clean edges and a recessed middle panel, shaker cabinets are known for their aesthetically pleasing, simple design. But why does everyone love this style of cabinet doors? Let’s dig into why Braam’s – and maybe everyone else in the construction world – love shaker style doors.

shaker door style cabinets

Shaker doors are versatile

While many folks believe that the shaker door style to be true to its namesake, shaker cabinets are adaptable from interior style to interior style. Heather Hopkins – one of our cabinet designers in Birmingham, Michigan says:

“The shaker door is a favorite for its versatility and timeless look. This transitional door can easily be personalized with the right cabinet hardware, whether my client prefers a traditional look or a modern look, making it the perfect choice for many of my clients.”

In the end, it’s more about what paint color, hardware, and surrounding décor you use in your home that defines your design style. Shaker doors are simple and elegant which means they can be incorporated into just about any space. From transitional styles to contemporary designs, shaker cabinet doors are a great choice for any homeowner.

Shaker doors are not overpowering

Some spaces might call for super ornate millwork, but that might not be everyone’s style. This is where the shaker door style comes in. Shaker cabinet doors are simplistic in design and are not fussy with extra details. This door style doesn’t need it! Shaker doors are meant to be elegant and timeless – something many homeowners look for with cabinet design. Unfortunately, sometimes bolder and riskier design choices can put a date on your home, but the shaker door style is quite the opposite. This cabinet door style is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, home offices, and more. Shaker door styles are perfect for adding just a touch of sophistication to a space without stealing the whole show.

Shaker doors can be customized

Beyond just customizing your cabinets through paint colours, Braam’s offers the ability to customize every part of your cabinetry – including a custom door style. Whether it be from a photo you bring in or something you’ve come up with alone, custom doors are something in our wheelhouse. Having said that, taking a simple shaker door and adding a bead detail or even recessing the rails and stiles around the door can take your space to the next level. Shaker doors are simplistic enough that tweaking the design a little bit can take your space to the next level. We’ve even introduced some reimagined shaker door styles to our catalogue (hello reverse shaker).

We love all door styles, but shaker cabinet doors are a classic

Tried, tested, and true, the shaker door style is not going anywhere anytime soon. The design’s versatility, it’s agreeableness, and the ability to easily customize is just some of the reasons we will forever love this style of cabinet door!

Ready to talk about your home renovation or new build? CONTACT US today to speak to a Braam’s cabinet designer near you!

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3 Reasons to Buy Custom Cabinets

One of the most important parts of renovating or building a home is the cabinetry that will go into the space. Cabinetry helps fill out a room, gives the room character, and provides much needed storage space for homeowners. This means that deciding on what type of cabinetry to consider purchasing for your home is extremely important. Should you go with stock cabinetry, semi-custom cabinetry, or fully custom cabinets? Here are the top 3 reasons you should consider purchasing custom cabinets.

Customization and Custom Cabinets

As you might have guessed, the first draw for custom cabinets is the level of customization you are allowed. Unlike stock or semi-custom, fully custom cabinetry means that you can change the size, the style, the colour, and the accessories as much as you desire – as long as everything will function. Your home is a reflection of your personality and with cabinetry being a staple for every home, custom cabinets mean you can have fun with your cabinet designs. A mix between furniture and fixture, being able to achieve your overall favored look within your home is important to many homeowners, interior designers, and builders. We love when clients get creative cabinets in their homes!

On the flip side, some folks might be nervous about the cost of custom cabinets related to the customization available to you. While this kind of cabinetry can be a bit more expensive, a skilled cabinet designer will be able to work within your budget and make sure your dream cabinets can be built at the most cost effective level without sacrificing aesthetic or quality. Which brings us to our next point…

Quality and Custom Cabinets

High quality cabinets are ideal for any home builder or renovator. Cabinets are a huge part of designing a home – to kitchen cabinets, closet cabinets, bathroom cabinets, built in cabinets, and more, cabinetry remains a top priority for any homeowner. This means that finding the best quality cabinets possible is key in building a home of your dreams. Custom cabinets are known for impeccable quality and these custom made millwork pieces not only serve the appearance of your home but they also serve on a functional level. That custom kitchen you purchased will not only need to look great but needs to perform for every birthday and holiday celebration you throw. That custom bathroom vanity needs to survive all of the guests you have visiting your home without falling apart.

Above all else, you expect your cabinets to stand the test of time. As a custom cabinet shop, many clients we have enjoy their custom kitchens cabinets, custom pantry cabinets, custom bathroom cabinets, custom built in cabinets, and other custom areas for a lifetime. As long as this millwork is properly taken care of, they will last you years and years to come. If there ever is an issue with your cabinetry, the shop in which you purchased from should be able to help in servicing your cabinets. And that brings us to our last reason..

Customer Service and Custom Cabinets

Lastly, purchasing what could be considered luxury cabinets means that the cabinet shop you choose to design and build your millwork pieces should provide you top notch customer service. We are firm believers in making every client’s home building or renovating experience a positive, exciting one. From communicating with clients to having meaningful consultations to servicing a finished job, the cabinet shop you chose should be there for you every step of the way. Braam’s prides itself not only on our customization and our quality, but also in how we serve our clients and go with them through every step of their cabinet design, build, and install. Bespoke cabinets deserves bespoke service, so our aim is to make sure clients remain happy and excited through the entire process – and you’re chosen cabinet shop should do the same for you!

In conclusion..

We feel there are plenty of personal reasons for choosing custom! While the customization, the quality, and the service are good starters, you have to decide for yourself if custom cabinets are something for you. Don’t be afraid to reach out to us if you have any questions..or if you are looking for a quote (wink-y face). We would be more than happy to help you!

CLICK HERE to get in touch with us today.