Get perfect fit with joinery
Choose right and it’ll be a seamless part of daily life
You asked: I want to renovate my open-plan living area and possibly the bathroom, which means new joinery. Is it worth getting something custommade or should I buy something off the shelf ?
GOOD joinery is a little like good service — when it works well, chances are you don’t really notice it.
Project director for Bondi Kitchens Chris Ruffe says this often means it is something of an afterthought on many building projects, but it shouldn’t be.
“Built-in joinery plays a huge part in making a house feel like a home, so it’s critical to think about how you want to live daily, with essential joinery to make things that much more seamless and luxurious,” Chris says.
With the rise and rise of open-plan living, integrated joinery that extends from the kitchen to the dining and living areas has become a valued asset for families trying to pack everything in.
If you’re considering whether to buy a kitchen or storage unit off the shelf and installing it yourself or have something custom-made, Chris says it’s worth thinking the project through from start to finish.
“Any DIY self-install can turn into a downhill disaster fast, so we always recommend consulting a professional,” says
‘‘ HIGH-QUALITY CABINETRY WILL ENHANCE YOUR DAILY LIVING. SOFT-CLOSING CABINETRY WORKS TO THE MILLIMETRE IF YOU WANT THE DRAWER TO GLIDE IN AND OUT GRACEFULLY. CHRIS RUFFE
Chris. “By the time you add up the hours sourcing the kitchen, paying for delivery and account for time and mishaps spent on trying to install a joinery item, the money can be close to matching a custom piece.”
In the detail
It’s easy to get caught up in choosing surfaces and details such as handles and drawer pulls, but Chris says it’s often what is on the inside that will be the difference between a high-functioning kitchen or a work space that frustrates over time.
“High-quality cabinetry will enhance your daily living,” Chris says. “Soft-closing cabinetry works to the millimetre if you want the drawer to glide in and out gracefully.
“There are types of materials and brands on the market that will last longer than others and also come with lifetime warranties.
“At the end of the day, you truly get what you pay for and how long this item will last.”
Custom-made joinery will not only allow you to make full use of the space available, Chris says, but offers more opportunity for you to get the finish you really want.
“New technologies see many styles of rebates cut into exterior panels to create custom looks, so you can have profiles with a bevelled edge, pinstripe V-groove, beaded or scalloped details,” he says.
“Details like aged brass, bronze or rose gold finish are also extremely popular at the moment.”