Contemporary Cabinets San Francisco – Modern Custom Cabinetry
Clean lines, minimal hardware, and precision craftsmanship. We've been building contemporary cabinets in San Francisco and Atherton for over 35 years—the style that emphasizes simplicity, quality materials, and flawless execution.
What Defines Contemporary Cabinet Style
You walk into a new condo in SOMA or a renovated loft in the Mission and notice the kitchen has this clean, minimal aesthetic – sleek lines, no visible hardware, everything feels streamlined and modern. That's contemporary cabinetry done right.
The thing about contemporary cabinets is they look simple, but achieving that clean, minimal appearance requires precision. Every line needs to be straight, every reveal needs to be consistent, every surface needs to be flawless. There's nowhere to hide imperfections when the design is this minimal.
The thing about contemporary cabinets is they look simple, but achieving that clean, minimal appearance requires precision. Every line needs to be straight, every reveal needs to be consistent, every surface needs to be flawless. There's nowhere to hide imperfections when the design is this minimal.
Flat Surfaces
Slab doors (flat panels with no frame) are the standard. No raised panels, no recessed panels, just smooth, flat surfaces that emphasize material quality.
Minimal Hardware
Often no visible hardware at all. Push-to-open mechanisms or integrated pulls eliminate the need for knobs or handles. When hardware is used, it's sleek and minimal.
High-Quality Materials
With minimal decoration, the materials become the focus. Premium wood veneers, high-gloss finishes, textured laminates – the material quality is visible and important.
Clean Lines
No decorative molding, no ornate details, no unnecessary embellishment. The design is about pure geometry – horizontal and vertical lines, simple rectangles, clean edges.
Material Options for Contemporary Cabinets
Contemporary cabinets showcase materials in their pure form. The material choice significantly impacts the final aesthetic.
White Oak
Lighter than walnut but with distinctive grain character. White oak has a clean, Scandinavian aesthetic that works beautifully in contemporary kitchens. Rift-cut white oak (where the grain runs straight and parallel) is particularly popular for contemporary cabinets.
High-Gloss Finishes
Lacquered or acrylic finishes in high-gloss create a sleek, modern appearance. White, gray, and bold colors (navy, black, even red) work in contemporary kitchens. The reflective surface adds visual interest and makes spaces feel larger. High-gloss finishes require perfect substrate preparation – we use premium materials and careful finishing to achieve flawless results.
Walnut
Dark, rich wood with beautiful grain patterns. Probably the most popular choice for contemporary wood cabinets. The natural color is sophisticated, and the grain adds visual interest without being busy. We typically use walnut veneer for contemporary cabinets, allowing us to book-match or sequence-match the grain across doors for a cohesive appearance.
Matte Finishes
The opposite of high-gloss, matte finishes create a soft, sophisticated appearance. Matte lacquer or low-sheen conversion varnish provides durability without shine. Matte finishes are popular right now, particularly in neutral colors. They feel modern but not cold or sterile.
Color Palettes for Contemporary Cabinets
Monochromatic Schemes
All cabinets in one color – white, gray, black, or natural wood. This creates a calm, cohesive appearance. Variation comes from texture and materials rather than color.
Bold Accent Colors
Mostly neutral cabinets with one section in a bold color – navy island, black pantry, colored accent wall of cabinets. This creates a focal point without overwhelming the space.
Two-Tone Designs
Upper and lower cabinets in different colors or materials. Common combinations include white uppers with wood lowers, dark uppers with light lowers, or wood uppers with painted lowers.
Natural Wood Tones
Walnut, oak, or other woods in natural finish. The wood grain and color provide warmth and visual interest. This works particularly well in San Francisco where people want modern style but not cold or sterile.
Frameless Cabinet Construction
Contemporary cabinets typically use frameless (European-style) construction rather than traditional face-frame construction. The cabinet box has no face frame – doors attach directly to the cabinet box sides. This creates a cleaner, more minimal appearance and provides slightly more interior space.
Benefits of Frameless
Cleaner, more minimal appearance
Slightly more interior storage space
Easier access to cabinet contents
Better suited to contemporary aesthetics
Construction Requirements
Frameless cabinets require thicker box materials (typically 3/4 inch) and more precise construction. The box itself provides all the structural strength, so it needs to be built solidly. We use quality plywood for frameless cabinet boxes, with dado joints and proper reinforcement. The construction is robust and long-lasting.
Handleless Kitchen Design
Completely handleless kitchens represent the ultimate in contemporary minimalism. From the outside, you see only clean, uninterrupted surfaces.
Push-to-Open Doors
Mechanical or magnetic catches open doors when pushed. The mechanism is hidden inside the cabinet. We use premium European hardware (Blum, Grass) that operates smoothly and reliably for decades.
Recessed Pulls
A groove routed into the top edge of doors or drawers creates a finger pull. This is completely integrated into the door – no separate hardware to see. The groove can be simple or more refined with a metal insert.
J-Pull Profiles
The door edge is shaped into a J-profile that creates a grip area. This requires precise machining but creates a seamless, hardware-free appearance that works particularly well on tall cabinet doors.
Custom Contemporary Cabinet Design
All our contemporary cabinets are custom-designed for your specific space. We don't stock pre-made cabinets – everything is built to order.
Consultation & Measurements
We visit your space, take detailed measurements, and discuss your vision for contemporary design. We talk about material preferences, hardware choices, and functional requirements.
Material Selection
Choose from walnut, white oak, maple, high-gloss lacquer, matte finishes, or textured laminates. We provide samples so you can see and feel the materials.
3D Renderings
We create detailed 3D renderings showing exactly what your contemporary kitchen will look like before we build anything. You'll see the clean lines, material choices, and overall aesthetic.
Precision Build
We build your frameless cabinets with quality plywood, premium veneers, and European hardware. Contemporary design requires precision – we take extra care with alignment and finish quality.
Expert Installation
Contemporary cabinets require precise installation. The minimal design means any misalignment is immediately visible. We ensure perfect alignment, consistent reveals, and level installation.
Serving San Francisco & the Bay Area
SOMA
Mission District
Mission District
Pacific Heights
Noe Valley
Noe Valley
Marina
Hayes Valley
Hayes Valley
Richmond
Sunset
Sunset
Get Started With Contemporary Cabinets
Ready to explore contemporary cabinets for your San Francisco kitchen? Contact us for a consultation. We'll discuss your vision, show you material samples, and help you understand what's possible.