Designing new cabinets for your home—whether it’s a kitchen, bathroom, or mudroom—is an exciting opportunity to improve both function and style. But when the dust settles, it’s often the small mistakes that make the biggest difference.
If you’re renovating or building in Saskatoon, here are the top cabinet design mistakes to avoid in 2025—along with expert advice on what to do instead.
Poor Planning for Storage Needs
One of the most common design errors is underestimating storage. While sleek, minimal kitchens are on trend, sacrificing usable space for appearance can backfire quickly.
Avoid this by:
Taking inventory of what you need to store
Including a mix of drawers, cabinets, and pull-outs
Prioritizing functional zones (prep, cooking, cleanup)
Ignoring Appliance Clearance
It’s easy to get excited about cabinets—but if they clash with appliances, it’s a recipe for frustration.
Watch for:
Cabinet doors that block oven or dishwasher access
Microwaves installed too high or low
Fridge doors that can’t fully open due to cabinetry layout
Tip: Always double-check appliance specs before finalizing your cabinet plan.
Choosing Style Over Practicality
Cabinet styles come and go, but daily use is forever. A stunning but impractical design won’t hold up to real-life use.
Examples to avoid:
Fingerprint-prone high-gloss doors in high-traffic kitchens
Open shelving with no hidden storage
Shallow drawers in place of deep, functional ones
For a space that works long-term, combine smart materials with timeless layouts.
Skimping on Interior Features
You can spend thousands on beautiful cabinet fronts, only to open the doors and find… a plain box.
2025 homeowners expect more. Don’t forget:
Pull-out organizers
Soft-close hinges
Drawer dividers
Tray storage and recycling centers
These features make your cabinets more useful and enjoyable every day.
Not Planning for Saskatoon’s Climate
Saskatoon homes deal with dry winters and humid summers, which affect wood materials over time.
Design mistake: Choosing cabinet materials that warp or crack.
Solution:
Use plywood cabinet boxes for structural strength
Opt for painted MDF doors for a clean finish that resists seasonal shifts
Avoid particleboard in moisture-prone areas
Read more in our post on Best Cabinet Materials for Saskatoon.
Going Too Trendy, Too Fast
It’s tempting to follow every new trend, but ultra-trendy cabinet designs can date quickly—especially bold colours, open-only layouts, or heavily themed styles.
Our advice:
Stick with neutral base tones
Use trends in hardware, lighting, or open shelves
Design for 10+ years of use, not just what’s hot today
Avoiding Regret, One Cabinet at a Time. Cabinet renovations aren’t cheap. Avoiding these cabinet design mistakes can save you stress, money, and regret down the line.
Thinking about upgrading your space? Talk to Saskatoon Cabinets for help designing cabinetry that’s both beautiful and built to last.
