A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Medalco’s Craftsmanship
At Medalco, we’ve made a name for ourselves in San Jose and the Bay Area for tackling these exact challenges. Whether it’s a cozy urban kitchen, a narrow hallway needing storage, or a compact bathroom that needs smart cabinetry — our team knows how to turn “tight” into “right.”
In this article, we’ll walk you through how we design storage cabinets for small spaces — the exact approach, considerations, materials, and craftsmanship that make our solutions stand out.
The Real Problem with Small Spaces: It’s Not Just Size
Many people believe the problem with small kitchens, bathrooms, or closets is simply “not enough space.” But the truth is — the problem is bad space usage.
We’ve visited countless homes where the space could’ve been used so much better with a little creativity, some precise engineering, and customized cabinet design.
This is where Medalco comes in.
Our secret? We listen, measure, and imagine better ways to make your space work for you.
Step 1: The Personal Consultation — Listening Before Designing
It all starts with a conversation with you, the homeowner.
We ask simple but revealing questions:
- What’s your main frustration with this space?
- What do you need to store — pots, books, tools, clothing?
- How do you move around here daily?
- What’s your favorite color, texture, finish?
This step is crucial. Designing for small spaces isn’t about squeezing things in — it’s about expanding how the space serves your lifestyle. We don’t push you into a trendy design. We make your space truly yours.
Step 2: Measuring (Twice!) with Precision Technology
In small spaces, millimeters matter. A cabinet that’s just 1 inch too deep could block a doorway or ruin the flow of a room.
That’s why our team uses advanced measuring tools and 3D modeling software to capture every dimension of your space.
We also do what others often forget:
- Check for wall warps or uneven floors.
- Measure clearance for doors and drawers.
- Analyze lighting, heating vents, and outlet positions.
With this digital model in hand, we can experiment with hundreds of ideas — virtually — until the perfect cabinet solution appears.
Step 3: Designing for Multi-Function and Hidden Potential
In large spaces, cabinets can afford to do just one thing. In small spaces, every cabinet needs to work hard.
For example:
✅ A kitchen cabinet might hide a pull-out pantry behind a false wall.
✅ A hallway cabinet can secretly contain an ironing board, cleaning supplies, and even a fold-down desk.
✅ A bathroom cabinet can swing out and reveal nested storage for cosmetics, towels, or toiletries.
We love hidden compartments, pull-out shelves, soft-close drawers, and multi-tier organization.
Our CNC and waterjet technology allows us to design features that standard off-the-shelf cabinets cannot offer — curved edges, custom pullouts, perfectly cut slots for utensils or tools, and clever interior dividers.
Step 4: Material Matters — Especially in Small Spaces
A mistake many designers make is choosing the wrong materials for small spaces — cheap laminates or particleboard that don’t last under stress.
At Medalco, we select from:
- Solid hardwoods (like maple, walnut, oak) for durability and beauty.
- Light-toned stones for surfaces that reflect light and open up the room.
- Metal accents to provide strength without bulk.
- Glass inlays to reduce visual weight and create transparency.
We also carefully match colors and finishes — lighter shades, matte surfaces, and even high-gloss for reflective cabinets that make the room feel bigger.
Our waterjet technology allows us to cut and shape stone and metal inserts to perfectly fit into wood cabinetry — something you won’t find in mass-produced or standard stock cabinets.
Step 5: Smart Hardware = Smarter Small Spaces
Small space design isn’t just about the box — it’s about what happens when you open the box.
We carefully select and install:
✔️ Soft-close hinges that prevent slamming and extend cabinet life.
✔️ Pull-out corner systems that make use of difficult corners.
✔️ Hidden slides and runners to maximize drawer depth.
✔️ Lift-up doors that allow easy access without swinging into the room.
✔️ Magnetic latches for seamless minimalist surfaces.
We make sure your small kitchen, bathroom, or closet doesn’t just look great — it feels great to use every day.
Step 6: Flawless Installation — No Gaps, No Compromises
In small spaces, bad installation ruins everything.
At Medalco, our expert team ensures your cabinets fit perfectly — with no odd gaps, creaks, or awkward angles. Our CNC and waterjet precision cutting means fewer adjustments on-site. Everything clicks into place the way it should.
And if the walls aren’t straight (they often aren’t in older homes), our installers adjust on the spot — creating a flawless finish that looks custom-built (because it is)..
Why Choose Medalco for Small Space Cabinetry?
🔸 Custom-Crafted Excellence:
No stock cabinets. No standard templates. Only bespoke solutions built to fit your space perfectly.
🔸 Material Mastery:
We combine wood, metal, stone, and glass — seamlessly — to make small spaces look bigger and feel luxurious.
🔸 High-Tech Precision:
Our CNC and waterjet cutting systems allow unmatched precision in every cut, curve, and corner.
🔸 Full-Service Care:
From personal consultation to design, production, and installation, Medalco handles everything in-house — no third-party outsourcing.
Conclusion: Small Spaces Deserve Big Ideas
If you live in an apartment, condo, or older home with small rooms, don’t settle for standard solutions.
Custom cabinets designed the right way can make your small space feel bigger, more organized, more beautiful — and more YOU.
At Medalco, this is what we love to do.
So if you’re dreaming of a kitchen where every drawer has a purpose, a hallway with secret storage, or a bathroom that holds more without feeling crowded — let’s make it happen.
Your small space can become a masterpiece. And we’re ready to design it with you.
