From Clutter to Calm: Our East York Home’s Custom Cabinetry Story
My husband and I have always loved our East York home. It has that classic Toronto character you just can’t replicate—solid bones, charming details, and a real sense of community. But what it didn’t have was storage that worked for our modern lives. We were drowning in a sea of mismatched furniture and struggling to find a place for everything. That’s when we decided to invest in a solution that would feel as authentic as the house itself: a fully integrated custom book wall panel, a dream master closet, and a streamlined working table. This project wasn’t just about adding shelves; it was about reclaiming our space and making our home work beautifully for us.
Project Quick Facts
- Project: Multi-Room Custom Built-In Cabinetry
- Location: East York, Toronto, ON
- Scope: Living Room Media & Book Wall, Master Bedroom Closet System, Integrated Home Office Desk
- Key Features: Floor-to-ceiling shelving, integrated LED lighting, shaker-style doors, custom closet organization, durable work surface.
- Project Date: Summer 2023
- Duration: 2 weeks
Our Design Vision: Seamless Integration and Timeless Style
Our primary goal was to create storage that didn’t look like an afterthought. We wanted built-ins that appeared to be part of the home’s original architecture. For our living room, which is the heart of our home, we envisioned a floor-to-ceiling custom book wall panel. It needed to house our ever-growing book collection, conceal our media components, and provide a stunning focal point without overwhelming the space. The aesthetic we aimed for was “transitional”—a blend of classic shaker-style cabinet doors on the bottom with clean, open shelving on top.
The master closet was a different beast altogether. The existing closet was a standard builder-grade reach-in with a single rod and shelf—a recipe for chaos. My vision was a sanctuary of organization. I wanted a place for everything: double-hanging rods for shirts and pants, full-extension drawers for folded items, dedicated shoe shelves, and high-up storage for off-season items. The goal was to open the doors and feel a sense of calm, not stress.
Finally, with the shift towards remote work, a proper workspace was no longer a luxury but a necessity. We decided to convert an underutilized nook into a dedicated office area. The brief was simple: a spacious and durable working table with integrated storage that felt connected to the home’s overall design, not like a piece of office furniture dropped into a corner.
Materials and Specifications: The Building Blocks of Quality
Making the right material choices was crucial for achieving the look, feel, and durability we wanted. After a detailed consultation, we settled on a palette of high-quality, practical materials.
Living Room Book Wall Panel
- Carcass Construction: 3/4” paint-grade solid maple for the face frames and premium MDF for the panels and shelves. This hybrid approach provides the strength of solid wood where it matters most, while the MDF offers a perfectly smooth, stable surface for paint, preventing cracks and warping over time.
- Finish: The entire unit was professionally spray-painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Chantilly Lace.” This crisp, clean white brightened the room and allowed our books and decor to stand out.
- Hardware: We chose soft-close hinges for all the lower cabinet doors and subtle, brushed nickel pulls that complemented our home’s existing hardware.
- Lighting: One of the best decisions we made was to integrate dimmable LED strip lighting into the upper shelves. An Ontario-licensed electrician handled the wiring, ensuring everything was installed safely and to code, concealed for a seamless, high-end look.
Master Closet System
- Interior: For the closet interior, we opted for a high-quality, thermally fused laminate (TFL) in a light linen finish. It’s incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean—perfect for the daily wear and tear of a closet.
- Drawers & Doors: The drawer fronts were made to match the shaker style of the living room unit, tying the projects together visually. We used full-extension, soft-close drawer slides for easy access to the entire drawer.
- Hardware: Polished chrome hanging rods and simple, elegant drawer pulls added a touch of brightness and sophistication.
Integrated Working Table
- Desktop: We chose a 1.5” thick solid maple butcher block for the work surface. It provides a warm, natural feel and is incredibly sturdy. It was sealed with a durable, matte-finish polyurethane to protect it from spills and wear.
- Base & Storage: The base cabinets supporting the desk were constructed and painted to match the living room unit, creating a cohesive design language throughout our home.
The Process and Timeline: A Phased Approach
One of the reasons the project “Duration” is listed as “nan” (not a number) is because we intentionally tackled it in distinct phases. This approach allowed us to manage the disruption to our daily lives and focus on getting each element perfect before moving on to the next.
Phase 1: The Master Closet (Approx. 3 Weeks) This was our starting point. The process began with an in-depth design consultation and precise measurements. Once we signed off on the 3D renderings, the components were fabricated off-site. The installation itself was remarkably efficient, taking only two days. The team was meticulous about protecting our floors and minimizing dust.
Phase 2: The Living Room Wall Panel (Approx. 5 Weeks) This was the largest and most complex part of the renovation. Fabrication took several weeks due to the scale and detail involved. The on-site installation spanned about a week, including the careful scribing of the unit to our slightly uneven, older walls for that truly built-in look. The electrical work was coordinated to happen mid-install, followed by the final paint touch-ups.
Phase 3: The Working Table (Approx. 2 Weeks) The final piece of the puzzle. Since the design was already established, this phase moved quickly from measurement to installation. The team installed the base cabinets and then perfectly fitted the heavy maple top, ensuring it was level and secure.
Throughout the entire process, communication was excellent. We always knew what was happening and when, which made a huge difference in our experience.
The Final Look: A Transformation in Form and Function
The result is nothing short of transformational.
The custom book wall panel has completely redefined our living room. It’s a showpiece that’s also a workhorse, elegantly storing everything that once cluttered the space. The integrated lighting adds a warm, ambient glow in the evenings, making the room feel cozy and sophisticated. It’s become our favourite spot to unwind.
Our master closet is a dream come true. Getting ready in the morning is now a peaceful, organized ritual. Everything has a home, from shoes to sweaters. It’s amazing how much a well-designed closet can impact your daily routine and overall sense of calm.
The working table has created a functional and inspiring place for me to focus. The solid wood top feels fantastic to work on, and the integrated storage keeps my supplies tidy and out of sight. It proves you don’t need a separate room to have a productive and beautiful home office.
My Top Design Takeaways
- Invest in a Cohesive Plan: Designing all three pieces at once, even though we installed them in phases, ensured a consistent look and feel throughout our home. The matching shaker doors and colour palette make everything feel intentional.
- Function First, Then Form: Before falling in love with a style, we made a detailed inventory of everything we needed to store. This function-first approach ensured the final design was not only beautiful but incredibly practical.
- Lighting Changes Everything: The integrated LEDs in the wall unit were a small part of the budget but had an enormous impact. Don’t underestimate how professional lighting can elevate custom cabinetry.
If you’re considering a similar project for your home, the planning stage is everything. Take the time to think through your needs and find a team that can translate your vision into reality. For a truly custom fit and finish, it’s worth exploring your options with a free, no-obligation quote.
Simple Maintenance Tips for Lasting Beauty
- Dust Regularly: Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to dust all surfaces. For a deeper clean on painted surfaces, use a slightly damp cloth with a drop of mild dish soap, followed by a dry cloth.
- Protect Wood Surfaces: For the maple working table, use coasters and placemats to prevent water rings and heat damage. Clean spills immediately with a soft cloth.
- Check Hardware: Once a year, check that all hinges and drawer pulls are secure and tighten any that have become loose with use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for custom built-in cabinets in Toronto?
Generally, for cabinetry projects like this that don’t involve changing the structure of your home, a building permit is not required. However, if your project involves significant electrical work, as ours did with the integrated lighting, the work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor who will file a notification with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). This ensures the installation is safe and compliant with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
How is custom cabinetry different from buying modules from a big-box store?
The biggest differences are customization and quality. With custom work, every dimension is tailored to your specific space, eliminating awkward gaps and maximizing storage. You have complete control over materials, finishes, and hardware. The craftsmanship is also typically superior, using more robust construction methods and materials designed to last a lifetime, which is a significant advantage for homeowners in East York and across Ontario who value longevity.
What is the process for designing a custom closet system?
It starts with a detailed consultation where we discuss your wardrobe and storage needs—how many shoes do you have? Do you prefer to hang or fold sweaters? From there, we take precise measurements of your space. Using this information, we create a 3D design rendering so you can visualize the layout, including drawers, shelving, and hanging space. We’ll refine the design with you until it perfectly suits your lifestyle and budget before any construction begins.
This renovation has fundamentally improved how we live in our home. It’s a testament to the power of thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship. If you’re ready to solve your home’s storage challenges for good, we can’t recommend the custom route enough.
Ready to transform your space? Get in touch for a complimentary design consultation and quote today.