You might think of cabinets as useful only in the kitchen or bath. But today, owners are finding creative ways to use cabinetry throughout the home.

From a basement pub to an elaborate mudroom, from a dressing area to a home office, cabinets have become a staple in interior design. Over the past several years, manufacturers like Wood-Mode have taken cabinets out of the kitchen and into other rooms of the home.

“Whether for the kitchen, bath, or any other room in the home, Wood-Mode and Brookhaven cabinetry offers an elegant way to maximize storage possibilities, as well as enhance a home’s value,” said John Troxell, design director for Wood-Mode, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of fine custom cabinetry. “We have an incredible selection of products that increase storage capability and keep everything organized in the closet, laundry room and even the family room.”

An example is in a walk-in closet, where homeowners want cabinetry with the same quality workmanship as they do in the kitchen or study. Architectural elements such as crown molding, accent columns and decorative base molding make this space attractive as well as functional.

Pullout bins, similar to kitchen trash bins, are used in the closet for laundry. Separating darks from lights and colors from whites becomes easier with multiple hampers. Pullout racks and shelves help to keep ties and belts orderly, as well. A slack rack allows the owner to hang multiple pairs of pants in a small space and never have trouble finding the perfect pair in the morning. A spiral clothes rack revolves eliminates having to stretch to the back of the closet to find a garment. Adjustable dividers allow owners to customize their drawers to perfectly fit their possessions—from socks to sweaters.

Even in dressing rooms, furniture-quality cabinets of all sizes are used to protect the clothing and create a functional space. In fact, Wood-Mood has a specific line of accessories for garment storage that fit into their cabinets. For example, one or two levels of clothing rods offer the homeowner the ability to maximize the space. They can be enclosed behind doors, offering protection yet easy visibility. Adjustable dividers allow owners to customize their drawers to fit everything from socks to sweaters.

Drawer dividers are ideal for the home office, too, according to Troxell. Shelf dividers enable the user to organize papers, storage discs and other items.

Cabinetry also makes it easy to hide large equipment such as computers, fax machines, phones, printers, and scanners. Filing cabinets have taken on the look of fine furniture while keyboard trays and pocket doors allow the homeowner to clean up the clutter from the desk. All the owner has to do when not using the space is close the cabinet door and the room remains clean and streamlined.

According to Troxell, Wood-Mode’s standard base cabinetry can be used in any room in the house. However, the variety of interior storage options such as file drawers, divider partitions and pull out shelving enable the homeowner to adapt the cabinets for different uses.

In the family room, apothecary drawers—typically found in the kitchen—can keep pens, CDs, paper clips, and other small items separated and organized. CDs and games can be stored in a media tower or Media drawers. In the mudroom, double waste cabinets or multi-bin recycling centers keep trash and recyclables out of sight but right where they are needed.

Another great use for cabinetry is in a wet or dry bar. Unused space in the family room can be converted into a bar by adding a sink and a mini-fridge. The interior of a tall cabinet can be designed to accommodate a modest wine selection or a mini coffee bar for the master bedroom.

For a full-blown bar, try the lower level of the house. This is one of the hottest trends in home design today.

“The basement tavern has made a comeback,” said Troxell. “Now, they are integrated into the overall décor of the room and have all the amenities, including a refrigerator. This may include an undercounter refrigerator drawer. Many refrigerators have wood fronts to match the cabinetry and give a polished look.”

Homeowners are combining open shelf storage with closed storage or cabinetry with glass doors. These units often feature antique glass for an old-world feel or some other unique glass to give it a distinctive feel.

“Most homeowners tend to select an overall design theme for the entire home rather than develop different looks in different rooms,” Troxell said. “So the cabinetry being used in the office or laundry room or dressing area tends to follow the home’s overall décor.”

Troxell noted that, when using cabinetry throughout the home today, “many pieces look like fine furniture by incorporating details such as decorative molding and carved accents. In addition, the multi-step finishes offered by Wood-Mode follow the process used on high end furniture. That’s one reason they can blend into any décor.”

For more ideas on how to incorporate cabinetry into your home, visit https://edit.stngweb.com/”http://www.Wood-Mode.com”.