If you’re planning a kitchen remodel and you’ve begun searching for a cabinet maker in Nashville, you’ve likely encountered two terms: custom cabinets and semi-custom cabinets. Both carry appeal, but they’re very different in terms of cost, flexibility, lead time and design.
Custom Cabinets
When you ask for custom cabinets, you’re essentially saying: “I want everything built for my space, my style, my exact kitchen, no compromises.” Here’s what that looks like:
- A full on-site measurement, or bespoke build, where the cabinet maker adapts to odd corners, unusual ceiling heights, built-ins and whatever quirks your home has.
- Unlimited choices (or nearly so) in terms of wood species, finishes, cabinet sizes, door styles, hardware, internal organization, and special features like appliance garages, hidden plug-ins, custom trim work.
- Premium materials and craftsmanship. You will often pay more and wait a little longer—but you’ll tend to get a result that fits beautifully and uniquely.
- Installation timelines and lead times that are longer—because the cabinets are essentially one-offs.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
If you contact a cabinet maker in Nashville and ask for semi-custom, you’re choosing a middle path. Here’s how semi-custom differs:
- The cabinet maker uses a set of modules or standard boxes but allows for modifications: adjusting widths or heights in small increments, selecting from a broader door/finish palette, possibly custom inserts or organization features.
- You get more flexibility and better materials than stock/ready-to-assemble cabinets, but not quite the unlimited freedom of true custom.
- Lead times tend to be shorter than full custom, cost is lower, and you can still get a personalized look that suits most remodels.
- Because the module base is standard, there may be restrictions: e.g., you can’t extend indefinitely, you may have to accept certain box depths or widths, maybe less trim custom-work.
Key Factors to Help You Decide:
Here are some questions you should ask a cabinet maker in Nashville, and answers that help guide whether you lean custom or semi-custom:
What’s Your Budget?
If your budget for cabinets is moderate and you still want something special, semi-custom often hits the sweet spot. Custom typically demands a higher budget.
How Unique is Your Layout?
If you have a simpler, rectangular kitchen in a typical home, semi-custom will likely fit well. If you have unusual angles, built-ins, awkward spaces or high ceilings, you may benefit more from custom cabinetry built by a cabinet maker in Nashville.
How Long Do You Plan to Stay in the Home?
If you expect to live in the home for 10+ years, it might make sense to invest in custom cabinetry for longevity and custom fit. If you plan to sell in a shorter time frame, semi-custom may deliver the quality you want without overspending.
What Level of Personalization or Features Do You Want?
Do you want hidden appliance storage, drawer inserts, unusual finishes or built-in seating? Are you keen on unique details that’ll make the space feel bespoke? That’s leaning custom. If you want high-quality door styles, good organization and a polished result, semi-custom can deliver.
What About Timelines and Disruption?
Custom builds typically take more time. If you’re working with a tight schedule, semi-custom’s faster turnaround may be preferable.
Tiger Cabinetry: Cabinet Maker in Nashville
In the end, whether you pick custom or semi-custom, working with a skilled cabinet maker in Nashville matters. With Tiger Cabinetry you get that local expertise, a showroom close to Nashville, and a team that offers both fully custom and smartly semi-custom options.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with us at Tiger Cabinetry and explore which cabinetry style—custom or semi-custom—is right for your kitchen renovation.
