It may be April Fools’ Day, but when it comes to kitchen design – we don’t joke around. There are a number of details that, as designers, we think about, so you don’t have to. Our goal is always for your new kitchen to be stylish and beautiful, and highly functional.

We can list all the different details we pay attention to, but we’ll start by showing you a few of the most important ones.

1. Finish Details

We don’t just focus on the finish of your cabinets as a whole, but we also pay attention to every surface, inside and out. This includes ensuring that even the bottoms and sides of your cabinets match the doors for a cohesive, polished look.

We also think about the interiors. Many of our clients choose natural maple melamine interiors for a warm, wood-like aesthetic with the simplicity of melamine. We’ll take the details a step further and customize the front face of your cabinets to match your doors as close as possible, so when your cabinets are closed, the maple won’t be visible, giving your space a more refined appearance

2. Cabinet Height and Depth

Every kitchen is unique, and so are its cabinet dimensions. With our custom Decor Cabinets line, we can tailor cabinet sizes to a sixteenth of an inch. For example, we’ll adjust the depth of the cabinet around your fridge to ensure it fits snugly without obstructing the doors while maintaining clearance requirements. We also make sure that tall cabinets are deep enough for the countertop to extend seamlessly into the cabinet, avoiding any exposed corners that could become a hip-bumping hazard. Or if you choose a thinner countertop, we’ll adjust the height of the base cabinets accordingly. All of this to ensure the best fit for your space.

3. Fillers

Fillers may seem like a small detail – one many people don’t even know about – but they’re incredibly important for both function and aesthetics. Typically, we install fillers that are at least 1.5” wide, helping to slightly move a cabinet away from the wall so drawers and doors can open without obstruction. Fillers also allow for a little flexibility during installation, ensuring that your cabinets are the best possible fit for your space. We take extra care around pull-out pantry cabinets or cabinet doors, adjusting the filler sizes so handles or knobs don’t hit the walls every time you open them.
We go one step further by using filler overlays, which means the material is flush with your cabinet doors, creating a smooth, seamless appearance across the entire space.

4. Traffic Patterns

In a kitchen, circulation is key. It’s important to ensure there’s enough space to move around, whether you’re cooking, hosting, or simply walking through. We’ll help you maintain the proper clearances to keep your kitchen functional.

While the recommended minimum walkway width is 36 inches, there may be times when fitting this standard is difficult (such as when trying to incorporate an island in a smaller space). In these cases, we’ll work with you to ensure the space remains accessible and give you thoughtful suggestions to maximize both functionality and comfort.

5. Maximizing Storage with Hidden Features

We take storage seriously. With the right design, cabinets can include hidden features like drawers and pull-outs—ideal for tall pantry cabinets—making it easy to access items that might otherwise be buried in the back. These features are especially helpful for storing heavy items like pots or small appliances, so you won’t have to awkwardly dig around to retrieve them.

Our full-extension drawers are another way we maximize storage. These drawers extend fully, allowing you to access everything inside without having to struggle to reach something tucked in the back.

As you can see, kitchen design is about much more than picking out colors and styles—it’s about planning every detail to ensure that your kitchen is both beautiful and functional.

So, while April Fools’ Day might be about fun and pranks, we take your kitchen design seriously. You deserve a space that not only looks great but also works seamlessly with your lifestyle. Let us take care of the details so you can enjoy a kitchen that’s organized, efficient, and a true reflection of your style. Reach out to our team to get started on your next project.

Brooklyn Stein

Brooklyn joined the Two30Nine team after earning a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design with a focus on interior design at the University of Manitoba. She loves to connect with her clients to create beautiful, functional spaces that they will love.

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