Style isn't always about what you add to a home. Sometimes it's about removing the frustrations that have been hiding in plain sight for years.
For Sharron Chang, owner of Art of Drawers New Jersey, style and functionality go hand in hand. A beautifully designed kitchen should do more than look good. It should make everyday life easier, more organized and more enjoyable.
"It's really about solving a problem," Chang says. "A lot of homeowners are living with frustrations they deal with every single day, and they don't realize there's a solution."
Before launching Art of Drawers two years ago, Chang spent more than 15 years in the corporate finance world. Her career path, however, has never been a straight line. She studied journalism in college before pivoting into finance and eventually entrepreneurship.
"I've pivoted a few times in my life," she says with a laugh. "Art of Drawers is one of those pivots."
The move into home improvement wasn't accidental. After earning her business degree and exploring numerous entrepreneurial opportunities, from startup concepts to franchise models, Chang spent nearly a year researching potential businesses.
She evaluated more than a dozen opportunities before discovering Art of Drawers.
What stood out wasn't simply the business model. It was the impact.
"I felt like it was solving a real problem," she says. "People don't always want to spend the time, money and stress that comes with a full kitchen remodel, but they're still frustrated with how their space functions."
Many homeowners contact Art of Drawers after years of struggling with difficult to reach cabinets, cluttered storage areas or kitchens that simply no longer work for their lifestyle.
"People tell us, 'This has been bothering me for years,'" she says. "Every time they open a cabinet or corner space, they get frustrated. They're looking for a better solution."
Art of Drawers specializes in custom pull out drawers, cabinet refacing and organizational solutions designed to improve accessibility and maximize storage without requiring a complete renovation.
For a Style issue, it's easy to focus on aesthetics. But Chang believes style starts with understanding how people actually live.
"Everyone uses their kitchen differently," she says.
That's why every project begins with an in home design consultation, often lasting 90 minutes or longer. Rather than immediately discussing products, samples or pricing, Chang and her team spend much of that time learning about the homeowner.
They open cabinets. They ask questions. They learn exactly how each family functions.
"It's really about understanding their habits and their lifestyle," Chang says. "Once we understand how they use the space, we can create a solution that works specifically for them."
That personalized approach reflects the company's philosophy that style and function should never compete.
Art of Drawers creates solid wood products designed to blend seamlessly with existing cabinetry while elevating both the appearance and performance of the space.
"We focus on the feel, the touch and the look of the product," Chang says. "We want it to match the home beautifully while providing a better experience."
The result is often far more impactful than homeowners expect.
While the company is known for transforming kitchens and pantries, Chang says the emotional transformation can be just as significant as the physical one.
"The feeling we want homeowners to have is joy and relief," she says.
Relief from digging through crowded cabinets. Relief from bending, reaching and searching for items hidden in the back. Relief from duplicate purchases because something couldn't be found when it was needed.
For many homeowners, organization creates something even more valuable: peace of mind.
"It's decluttering," Chang says. "It's knowing where everything is. It's having more space and easier access."
One growing trend she's seeing involves homeowners planning to age in place. Rather than waiting until accessibility becomes a challenge, many are proactively upgrading their kitchens with pull out storage systems designed to make daily tasks easier for years to come.
At the same time, others are choosing cabinet refacing as a practical alternative to a full renovation.
Instead of spending months and significant expense gutting a kitchen, homeowners can achieve a refreshed look and improved functionality in less than a week.
"It's efficient, it's convenient and it saves a substantial amount compared to remodeling," Chang says.
As a woman business owner in a traditionally male dominated industry, Chang has embraced the opportunities and challenges that come with entrepreneurship. Her diverse professional background, combined with a passion for helping homeowners create beautiful, functional spaces, has shaped the thoughtful, personalized approach she brings to every project.
What she enjoys most isn't the cabinetry itself.
It's the people.
"I really enjoy talking with homeowners," she says. "They have a real issue, and I'm there to help them."
That commitment to service remains central to her vision for the future. As Art of Drawers continues to grow throughout New Jersey, Chang hopes to build a team of designers who share the same passion for improving people's lives.
"I want people who genuinely care about helping homeowners," she says. "That's the most important thing."
Because at the end of the day, the company's work isn't really about drawers, cabinets or organization.
It's about helping people fall in love with their homes again, one beautifully designed space at a time.
Ready to transform your kitchen without a full renovation? Learn more and schedule a complimentary consultation at ArtOfDrawers.com.