Bespoke Cabinet Manufacturing Derby

Call Now on - 01332-325444

Kitchen worktops after being installed by professional kitchen fitter

Bringing your dream cabinets to life with expert craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our handmade cabinets transform spaces throughout Derby and Derbyshire.

Cabinet Maker & Fitted Furniture Supplier Derby

Looking for beautiful custom cabinets in Derby? At Derby Kitchen Fitter, we don't just install kitchens - we're skilled cabinet makers too. Our team creates stunning bespoke cabinets and fitted furniture that's specially built for your home.

We've been making custom cabinets for Derby homes and businesses for over 10 years. Each piece is crafted with care in our local workshop, designed specifically for your space and needs.

What makes our cabinet making special? We blend traditional woodworking skills with modern techniques. Our joiners are proper craftsmen who take pride in creating furniture that lasts.

We make all sorts of cabinets and fitted furniture:

Kitchen cabinets and islands
Built-in wardrobes and storage solutions
Media units and entertainment centres
Bathroom vanities and storage
Office furniture and bookcases
Bespoke shelving systems

Our clients love how our bespoke pieces transform their homes. Whether you need a single cabinet or furniture for your whole house, we create beautiful, practical solutions that fit perfectly.

Why Choose Handmade Cabinets?

Mass-produced cabinets might seem cheaper at first, but they often don't last. They're usually made from lower-quality materials and come in limited sizes and styles.

Our handmade cabinets are different:

Perfect Fit - We measure your space exactly and build to those dimensions, making the most of every inch.
Quality Materials - We use solid woods and premium materials that stand up to daily use.
Unique Design - Your cabinets are designed just for you, with your choice of style, finish and features.
Superior Construction - Traditional joinery techniques create stronger, longer-lasting furniture.
Personal Service - We work closely with you from design to installation.

Many of our clients in Derby, Long Eaton, Ilkeston and surrounding areas come to us after being disappointed with off-the-shelf options. They want something special that's built to last - and that's what we deliver.

Our Cabinet Manufacturing Process

When you choose Derby Kitchen Fitter for your bespoke cabinets, you're getting furniture that's made with care and skill. Here's how we create your custom cabinets:

1. Initial Consultation

It starts with a chat. We visit your home in Derby or anywhere in Derbyshire to understand what you need. We look at the space, discuss how you'll use the cabinets, and talk about styles and finishes you like.

This is where we get to know you - because the best custom cabinets aren't just well-made, they reflect your personality and lifestyle too.

2. Design & Planning

Next, we create detailed designs for your cabinets. We take precise measurements of your space and work out the perfect dimensions for each piece.

We consider practical details like:

How the cabinets will be used
The best materials for your needs
Storage features you might benefit from
How the cabinets will work with existing elements
Lighting integration if needed

You'll see drawings or computer visualisations of your cabinets and can request any changes. We don't move forward until you're completely happy with the design.

3. Material Selection

Choosing the right materials makes all the difference to your finished cabinets. We help you select from:

Solid Hardwoods - Oak, maple, walnut and cherry provide beautiful grain patterns and exceptional durability.
Quality Plywoods - For cabinet carcasses, providing strength and stability.
Premium MDF - Ideal for painted finishes, offering a smooth surface and dimensional stability.
Veneers - Allow use of rare or expensive woods in a more sustainable way.

We hand-pick all timber, checking for quality and grain pattern. For painted finishes, we use the finest materials to ensure a flawful, long-lasting result.

4. Workshop Production

Once designs are approved, we start creating your cabinets in our Derby workshop. Our cabinet making process includes:

Component Fabrication - Each part is precisely cut to size using a combination of traditional tools and modern machinery.
Joinery Creation - We use proper woodworking joints like dovetails for drawers and mortise and tenon for frames. These traditional methods create stronger furniture than mass-produced alternatives.
Assembly - The components are carefully brought together, with experienced eyes checking every detail.
Sanding - Multiple stages of sanding create the perfect surface for finishing.
Finishing - Whether it's a natural wood finish or painted colour, multiple coats are applied with sanding between each for a superior result.
Hardware Fitting - Quality hinges, drawer runners and handles are fitted with precision.

We take our time with each step - rushing cabinet production leads to mistakes, and we're committed to getting every detail right.

5. Professional Installation

The final step is installation. Our skilled team carefully transports your finished cabinets to your home and installs them with precision.

We make sure everything is perfectly level, all doors and drawers operate smoothly, and the finished result meets our high standards. We clean up thoroughly after installation so you can enjoy your new cabinets straight away.

Made to Measure Cabinets for Any Space

One of the biggest advantages of bespoke cabinets is that they can be designed for any space - even awkward corners or rooms with unusual dimensions. We've created cabinets for all sorts of challenging spaces in homes across Derby, Nottingham and surrounding areas.

Kitchen Cabinets and Islands

Our kitchen cabinets are built to withstand daily use while looking beautiful. We create:

Base and wall cabinets in any size
Corner solutions that maximize storage
Pantry cabinets with customized internals
Kitchen islands with specialized features
Integrated appliance housing

A client in West Bridgford wanted a kitchen island that would serve multiple functions - food prep, casual dining, and storage. We designed a bespoke island with a butcher block section, overhanging quartz for seating, and specialized drawers for cooking equipment.

Built-in Wardrobes and Bedroom Furniture

Bedroom storage can be transformative. Our fitted wardrobes and bedroom furniture include:

Wall-to-wall wardrobes with custom internals
Dressing tables and vanity units
Bedside cabinets and drawer units
Window seats with storage
Media units and TV cabinets

For a period property in Derby, we created fitted wardrobes that worked around original features, including sloped ceilings and a chimney breast. The finished wardrobes looked like they'd always been part of the house while providing modern storage solutions.

Home Office and Library Cabinets

With more people working from home, we're creating lots of home office furniture:

Fitted desks and workstations
File storage and drawer units
Bookcases and display cabinets
Media centers with cable management
Dual-purpose spaces that hide work equipment

A client in Beeston needed a home office that could double as a guest room. We designed a wall of cabinets that included a fold-down desk, file storage, and a hidden pull-out bed. When not in use as a bedroom, it's a spacious, organized office.

Special-Purpose Cabinets

We also create cabinets for specific needs:

Media units with integrated speakers
Wine storage and bar cabinets
Display cabinets for collections
Under-stairs storage solutions
Utility room organization systems

Traditional Joinery Techniques

What makes our cabinets special is the craftsmanship that goes into them. Our cabinet makers use traditional joinery techniques that have stood the test of time, creating furniture that's both beautiful and durable.

Dovetail Drawer Construction

Our drawers feature hand-cut or precision-machined dovetail joints. These interlocking joints create an incredibly strong connection between the drawer sides and front, preventing the drawer from pulling apart even after decades of use.

Mortise and Tenon Joinery

For frame construction, we use mortise and tenon joints. A tenon (projecting piece of wood) fits precisely into a mortise (cavity) to create a joint that resists twisting and pulling. This creates door frames and cabinet frames that stay square and solid.

Traditional Dado Joints

For shelving and cabinet construction, we often use dado joints. These provide better support for shelves than simple pins or brackets, preventing sagging even with heavy items.

Modern Production Methods

While we value traditional techniques, we also use modern methods where they improve quality:

Precision cutting with CNC machinery
Computer-aided design for complex projects
Modern adhesives that enhance joint strength
Advanced finishing techniques for superior protection

This blend of old and new allows us to create cabinets with traditional quality but modern efficiency.

Materials for Custom Cabinet Manufacturing

The materials we use make a big difference to the look, feel and longevity of your cabinets. We help you choose the right options for your project.

Hardwoods for Cabinet Making

Solid hardwoods bring natural beauty and character to your cabinets:

Oak - Strong and durable with a distinctive grain. Available in red or white varieties.
Maple - Hard-wearing with a subtle grain, stains well.
Walnut - Rich, dark tones and beautiful grain patterns.
Cherry - Develops a rich patina over time, with a warm reddish hue.
Ash - Strong and flexible with a pronounced grain.

We source our hardwoods from sustainable suppliers, ensuring your cabinets are as environmentally friendly as possible.

Engineered Woods

For certain applications, engineered woods offer advantages:

Marine-Grade Plywood - Exceptionally stable and moisture-resistant for cabinet carcasses.
Furniture-Grade Plywood - Multiple thin layers of wood create strong, stable panels.
Premium MDF - Ideal for painted finishes, providing a smooth, consistent surface.

Veneers

Veneers allow us to use beautiful woods in a more sustainable and cost-effective way:

Natural wood veneers in many species
Figured veneers for stunning visual effects
Reconstituted veneers for consistent patterns

Cabinet Finishes

The finish protects your cabinets while enhancing their beauty:

Hand-Rubbed Oils - Bring out the natural beauty of wood while offering protection.
Traditional Wax Finishes - Create a subtle sheen and aged appearance.
Hard-Wearing Lacquers - Provide excellent protection for high-use areas.
Hand-Painted Finishes - Available in any colour to match your decor.
Custom Colour Matching - We can match existing furniture or specific colour schemes.

Hardware and Accessories

The right hardware finishes your cabinets beautifully:

Hinges - From concealed soft-close to decorative exposed options.
Drawer Runners - Smooth, soft-close mechanisms for effortless operation.
Handles and Knobs - Available in countless styles, materials and finishes.
Internal Storage Systems - Pull-out shelves, dividers, and specialized organizers.
Lighting - Integrated LED systems to illuminate cabinet interiors.

Areas We Serve

Based in Derby, we create bespoke cabinets for clients throughout Derbyshire and beyond:

Derby - We've worked on projects across the city, from Victorian homes in the Cathedral Quarter to modern apartments near the Riverlights complex.
Surrounding Derbyshire Towns - Regular work in Ilkeston, Heanor, Ripley, Alfreton, Borrowash, and other local communities.
Nottinghamshire - We serve clients in Nottingham, Beeston, Long Eaton, Stapleford, and surrounding areas.
Further Afield - For larger projects, we're happy to travel throughout the East Midlands.

What Our Clients Say

"Derby Kitchen Fitter created the most amazing fitted wardrobes for our bedroom. The attention to detail is incredible - they look like they've always been there. Worth every penny!" - Beryl, Derby

"After getting quotes from several cabinet makers, we chose Derby Kitchen Fitter for our home office. They weren't the cheapest, but their quality and service was outstanding. The finished cabinets are beautiful and so functional." - Justin, Long Eaton

"I wanted something special for my kitchen and Derby Kitchen Fitter delivered. They designed and built custom cabinets that make the most of my awkward space, with clever storage solutions I'd never have thought of myself." - Anna, Ilkeston

Cabinet Manufacturing FAQs

How Much Do Bespoke Manufactured Cabinets Cost in Derby?

Bespoke cabinet prices vary depending on size, materials, complexity and finishes. As a rough guide:

Simple painted MDF cabinets might start around £500-£700 per linear metre
Mid-range cabinets with quality plywood and some solid wood elements range from £700-£1200 per linear metre
Premium cabinets using all solid hardwoods and specialized features can be £1200-£2000+ per linear metre

We provide detailed quotes after understanding your specific requirements. While bespoke cabinets cost more than mass-produced options, they offer better quality, perfect fit, and longer lifespan - often proving more cost-effective in the long run.

How Long Does Bespoke Cabinet Manufacturing Take?

The timeline for custom cabinets depends on several factors:

Design phase: 1-2 weeks for consultation, measurements and design
Manufacturing: 4-8 weeks depending on complexity and our current workload
Installation: Typically 1-5 days depending on the project size

We'll provide a specific timeline for your project during the consultation. While we work efficiently, we never rush quality - proper cabinet making takes time.

What Woods Are Best for Custom Cabinet Manufacturing?

The best wood depends on your specific needs:

Oak - Excellent for traditional cabinets, very durable and ages beautifully
Maple - Good for contemporary designs with a lighter appearance
Walnut - Perfect for premium, elegant cabinets with rich colouring
Cherry - Develops a gorgeous patina over time, suits many styles
Ash - Strong and flexible with interesting grain patterns

For painted cabinets, we often recommend using quality tulipwood or premium MDF, which provide an excellent surface for paint while keeping costs reasonable.

What's the Difference Between Handmade and Machine-Made Cabinets?

The main differences are:

Quality of Materials: Handmade cabinets typically use higher-quality materials selected specifically for each project.

Construction Methods: Handmade cabinets feature traditional joinery techniques that create stronger, more durable furniture.

Attention to Detail: Each part of a handmade cabinet receives individual attention, resulting in better fit and finish.

Customization: Handmade cabinets can be designed to exact specifications, making the most of your space.

Longevity: With proper care, handmade cabinets can last generations, while mass-produced cabinets often need replacement after 10-15 years.

Can Bespoke Cabinets Be Designed for Unusual Spaces?

Absolutely! One of the biggest advantages of bespoke cabinets is their ability to fit unusual spaces perfectly. We've created cabinets for:

Rooms with sloping ceilings
Awkward corners and alcoves
Spaces with unusual angles
Areas around structural features like pillars or beams
Period properties with uneven walls

Our process includes precise measurements and careful planning to utilize every inch of available space, no matter how challenging.

What Joinery Techniques Are Used in Quality Cabinet Making?

Quality cabinets use proper woodworking joints rather than just screws and glue:

Dovetail joints for drawer construction
Mortise and tenon joints for frame assembly
Dado joints for shelving support
Finger joints for box construction
Bridle joints for strong corner connections
Tongue and groove for panel construction

These traditional techniques create furniture that remains strong and stable for decades.

How Are Bespoke Cabinets Finished and Protected?

We offer several finishing options:

Oil finishes - Penetrate the wood for natural protection while enhancing grain
Wax finishes - Create a traditional look with a subtle sheen
Lacquers - Provide excellent protection in kitchens and bathrooms
Hand-painted finishes - Available in any colour with various sheen levels
Specialized finishes - Including distressed effects, glazing, and other decorative techniques

All our finishes are applied in multiple layers with careful preparation between coats for a superior result.

What Hardware Options Are Available for Custom Cabinets?

We offer a wide range of hardware options:

Hinges - From invisible soft-close to decorative exposed hinges
Drawer runners - Full-extension soft-close systems for smooth operation
Handles and knobs - Available in countless styles, materials and finishes
Specialized hardware - Including touch-latch systems for handleless designs
Internal fittings - Pull-out systems, dividers, and specialized organizers

We can source almost any hardware you desire, from contemporary minimalist to traditional period-appropriate designs.

How Do Manufactured Cabinets Compare to Mass-Produced Options?

Comparing bespoke cabinets to mass-produced options:

Fit: Bespoke cabinets are built to your exact measurements, while mass-produced cabinets come in standard sizes that may waste space.

Materials: Bespoke cabinets use carefully selected materials for your specific needs, while mass-produced often use lower-grade materials.

Construction: Bespoke cabinets feature proper joinery techniques, while mass-produced typically use basic mechanical fasteners and glue.

Customization: Bespoke cabinets offer unlimited design options, while mass-produced come in limited styles and configurations.

Longevity: Bespoke cabinets typically last decades or generations, while mass-produced often need replacement after 10-15 years.

Cost: While bespoke cabinets cost more initially, their longevity and quality often make them more economical in the long run.

What Warranty Comes With Bespoke Manufactured Cabinets?

At Derby Kitchen Fitter, we stand by our work with a comprehensive warranty:

10-year guarantee on all cabinet construction
5-year guarantee on hardware and moving parts
2-year guarantee on finishes (with proper care)

This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship. We're confident in the quality of our cabinets and committed to your satisfaction.

Get Started With Your Bespoke Cabinet Project

Ready to transform your space with beautiful, handmade cabinets? Here's how to get started:

Get in touch - Call us on 01332-325444 or use our contact form
Initial consultation - We'll visit your home to discuss your needs
Design proposal - We'll create designs and provide a detailed quote
Refinement - We'll make any adjustments needed until you're completely happy
Production - Your cabinets will be crafted in our Derby workshop
Installation - We'll professionally install your new cabinets

We pride ourselves on creating cabinets that exceed expectations. Our attention to detail, quality materials, and skilled craftsmanship ensure your cabinets will be both beautiful and lasting.

Contact Derby Kitchen Fitter today to discuss your bespoke cabinet project!

Design - Supply - Installation - Project Management
Derby Kitchen Fitter
One-Stop-Shop
For Everything Kitchens and More!
01332-325444