Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you might wonder, answered!
Q . What is included with your turnkey services?
We can handle your cabinetry design, fabrication, and installation. In addition, we can take care of your full remodel and construction needs.
Q . What’s included in the design consultation?
You’ll then receive an expert’s recommendation, a rough cost estimate, and a path to move forward.
Q . Do I need my own architect or interior designer?
Not necessarily. If you don’t have one, we are affiliated with professionals who can help you with all of your needs.
Q . What if I only want new cabinets without a full remodel?
We’re happy to help with cabinetry-only projects. Your needs define the scope.
Q . What areas do you serve?
We work across Central Texas, including Austin and it's surrounding cities.
Q . How can I make my home feel bigger without adding square footage?
You don’t always need to build an addition to transform your space. Thoughtful design and structural updates can dramatically improve how open, connected, and functional your home feels.
- Remove or add walls to create better flow between rooms.
- Eliminate soffits (fur-downs/bulkheads) to increase ceiling height and visual openness.
- Vault ceilings where possible, to add volume and architectural impact.
- Expand openings between rooms for a more seamless, open-concept feel.
- Incorporate structural beams (wood or steel) to support wider, open spans.
- Rework closets or underused storage areas to give square footage back to adjoining rooms.
- Replace bulky closets and pantries with custom cabinetry or built-ins for better storage, style, and functionality. (https://www.cabinetcouture.com/)
- Use strategic wall and ceiling colors to influence how spacious a room feels. Lighter tones, cohesive palettes, and thoughtful contrast can make a space feel brighter, taller, and more expansive.
- Create the illusion of a larger space by strategically placing windows and mirrors.
- Brighten the space with overhead lighting or skylights/ sun tunnels
With the right approach, your existing footprint can feel brighter, larger, and more functional without the cost of adding square footage.
Q . How do you balance preserving a home’s original character with modern updates during a remodel/renovation?
Thoughtfully updating a home without losing its original charm requires a careful, intentional approach that respects both history and functionality.
- Identify and preserve key architectural and sentimental elements that define the home’s character
- Maintain original details where possible, based on the homeowner’s vision and priorities
- Introduce modern functionality through thoughtful space planning and updated layouts
- Incorporate transitional elements that help bridge the gap between different design styles
- Use complementary materials and cohesive color palettes to blend old and new seamlessly
- Incorporate cabinetry that enhances both the aesthetic and functionality of the space (https://www.cabinetcouture.com/contact)
- Focus on craftsmanship and quality to ensure updates feel intentional and timeless
The result is a seamless blend of old and new, honoring the home’s character while elevating it for modern living.
Q . What are the different ways to conceal electrical outlets in a kitchen?
At Cabinet Couture, integrating outlets in a design provides an opportunity to enhance functionality and design while ensuring power is always accessible when you need it. Some seamless outlet integration options include:
- Pop-up countertop outlets - These are fully concealed until you press them. Once these pop-up, you'll have access to the outlet.
- Under-cabinet power strips or plug molds - These are always accessible and mounted beneath the upper cabinets.
- In-drawer outlets - These are ideal for hidden charging stations or powering small appliances. These help keep countertops clutter-free and highly functional.
- Appliance garages with interior outlets - These are designated cabinets that house everyday appliances inside. Dedicated outlets are placed inside these cabinets to power the appliances inside them.
- Toe-kick outlets - These are subtly placed at the cabinet toe-kick, at the base of the cabinet near the floor, and are great when wall space is limited.
- Recessed backsplash outlets - Designed to sit flush within tile or slab backsplashes, often color-matched for a near-invisible finish.
These solutions are perfect to maintain clean, uninterrupted surfaces while not sacrificing everyday functionality and access to electrical power.
Q . How to determine if your cabinet company is eco-friendly and uses sustainable materials?
If you want to evaluate a cabinet company’s sustainability, ask them the following questions:
1. Do they use FSC-certified wood, which helps ensure lumber comes from responsibly managed forests?
2. Do they use formaldehyde-free cores and low-VOC or water-based finishes for a healthier air quality?
3. Do they reduce waste by reusing sawdust, recycling wood scraps, and/or reclaiming finish materials? For example, converting paint waste into cleaning solvents or producing engineered materials from recycled content.
4. Do they use solar power, energy-efficient equipment, motion sensors, and better process planning to cut down on power use?
5. Do they leverage local production, suppliers or vendors to further reduce transportation emissions and make the supply chain more efficient?
6. Do they make durable, repairable, and long-lasting cabinets? When cabinets last longer, fewer replacements are needed, which reduces overall environmental impact.
7. Do they have environmental certifications or metrics for emissions, water use, and recycled content?
At Cabinet Couture, sustainability is not an afterthought; it's embedded in our operation. We only source and partner with vendors and suppliers that use responsibly sourced wood, low-VOC finishes, reduce fabrication waste, recycle or reclaim leftover materials, reduce power consumption, and/or source locally whenever possible.
Q. What are the main types of cabinets on the market?
Cabinetry plays a major role in both the function and aesthetic of a home, and understanding the different types available can help homeowners make more informed design decisions. The main distinction comes down to construction style and level of customization.
By Construction Style:
1. Frameless (European-style): Sleek, modern design with no face frame, allowing full access to the interior of the cabinet box and maximizing usable space. Doors and drawer fronts are most often installed in front of the cabinet box opening.
2. Framed (Traditional American-style): Features a face frame attached to the cabinet box, offering a classic look along with strong, durable construction. Doors and drawer fronts are most often installed in front of the face frame.
3. Inset (Premium framed option): Doors and drawer fronts sit flush within the face frame, requiring precise craftsmanship and delivering a timeless, tailored finish.
By Level of Customization:
1. RTA (Ready-to-Assemble): Pre-manufactured, unassembled flat-packed cabinets that get manually assembled on-site by the purchaser. Cost-effective, builder-grade construction with no customization. Limited selections and sizes based on what's available in a catalog. Often has a short delivery time.
2. Stock cabinetry: Pre-manufactured where each box is pre-assembled by the manufacturer or retailer. Budget friendly, typically builder-grade construction with no customization. Limited selections and sizes based on what's available in a catalog. Often has a fairly short delivery time.
3. Semi-custom cabinetry: Mid-range option offering some flexibility in sizing and configurations while maintaining controlled cost and lead time. Finishes are often limited to what's available in a catalog. Often has a fabrication lead-time and delivery time in terms of weeks or months.
4. Custom cabinetry: Fully tailored to the space and client needs. Offers the most possibilities of design, sizes, configurations, finishes, and premium materials. Often has the highest level of craftsmanship and fit for any space or application. Not limited to the content in a catalog. Often has a fabrication lead-time and delivery time in terms of months.
Understanding these categories helps homeowners align their cabinetry choices with their budget, lifestyle, and overall design vision, ensuring a result that is both functional and beautifully intentional.
Cabinet Couture delivers premium custom cabinetry that can be tailored to any design, style, space, and function. Our designs are done with intention, and our cabinets have the highest level of craftsmanship. To explore cabinetry options or collaborate on a custom design vision, contact us (https://www.cabinetcouture.com/contact)