Cabinetmaking

Cabinetmaking is the craft and trade of building and installing cabinets and other fitted storage units. It is a specialized branch of carpentry that emphasizes precise fit, durable joinery, and fine finishes. Cabinetmakers may work in small shops or as part of remodeling or furniture studios, with work ranging from custom, high-end projects to modular cabinetry for residential or commercial settings.

Materials commonly used include hardwoods such as maple, cherry, and oak; plywood and medium-density fiberboard (MDF); veneers and laminates. Construction methods span traditional joinery—mortise-and-tenon and dovetails for drawers—to modern systems that rely on fasteners, screws, and cam fittings. Finishes include oil, wax, shellac, lacquer, polyurethane, and waterborne coatings, with veneers used for visible faces and plywood for panels.

Typical workflow begins with design and measurements, followed by cutlists, milling, and assembly. Cabinets are built in sections, then joined and installed on site with hardware such as hinges, drawer slides, and organizational fittings. Styles range from framed (face-frame) to frameless (European) construction, and from traditional raised panels to flat-panel contemporary designs.

Key skills include precise measurement and layout, interpretation of plans, joinery and assembly, finishing, and careful alignment. Modern shops may employ CNC routers and automated panel saws alongside traditional hand tools. Sustainability considerations increasingly guide material selection and finishes, emphasizing responsibly sourced wood, low-VOC coatings, and efficient use of scraps.