Introduction
Choosing new kitchen cabinets can be an exciting yet daunting process. With so many options on the market, how do you know where to find quality cabinets that suit your taste, lifestyle and budget? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about where to buy the best kitchen cabinets.
We’ll provide tips on determining your cabinet needs, choosing cabinet materials and styles that work for you, and evaluating retailers and manufacturers to find high-quality products. You’ll also learn the pros and cons of buying kitchen cabinets from big box stores, independent dealers, online retailers and having them custom-made.
Armed with the information below, you’ll be able to shop smart and confidently select beautiful, functional kitchen cabinets that will bring your dream kitchen to life.
Determining Your Kitchen Cabinet Needs
Before you start shopping, take time to determine exactly what you need when it comes to new kitchen cabinets. Carefully thinking through the following considerations will help you zero in on the best options.
Cabinet Layout
- How much and what type of storage do you need? Wall cabinets, base cabinets, pantry cabinet, specialty pull-out cabinets?
- What will the layout be? Single bank along one wall or cabinets on multiple walls?
- Will you have blind corner cabinets or lazy susans to maximize awkward spaces?
- How will cabinets interface with other kitchen elements like appliances, windows and doorways?
Cabinet Dimensions
- What are the room’s dimensions and how much space do you have for cabinets?
- Will you use standard cabinet widths like 12″, 18″, 24″, etc. or customize sizing?
- What cabinet heights do you prefer? Standard is 36″ wall cabinets and 24″ base cabinets.
- How deep should cabinets be? Standard is 12″ base cabinets and 24″ deep wall cabinets.
Cabinet Styles
- Door styles: Shaker, flat panel, raised panel, slab, inset, louvered, etc.
- Door materials: Wood, laminate, glass, metal, thermofoil, etc.
- Finish options: Painted, stained, glazed,distressed, wrap, thermally fused laminate?
- Hardware: Knobs, pulls, hinges, soft-close mechanisms?
- Crown molding, light rails and other trim?
Once you make these important cabinet design decisions, you’ll know what exactly to look for when shopping.
Choosing Cabinet Materials and Styles
With a plethora of options on the market, selecting cabinet door materials and styles can be overwhelming. Keep the following tips in mind when deciding what’s best for your kitchen and lifestyle:
Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Wood cabinets provide a timeless, classic look. Popular woods include oak, maple, cherry, hickory, alder and birch. Consider:
- Durability: Solid hardwoods like oak are extremely durable. Plywood boxes with hardwood veneers offer strength at a lower cost.
- Style versatility: Wood takes stain beautifully and can be painted for unique finishes.
- Cost: Solid wood is expensive. Veneered plywood is a more budget-friendly option.
- Care: Wood requires more maintenance than laminate and thermofoil.
Laminate Kitchen Cabinets
Laminate cabinets feature a plastic laminate coating adhered to a plywood or composite wood substrate. Benefits include:
- Affordability: Laminate kitchen cabinets are value-priced.
- Durability: Laminate resists scratches, moisture and warping.
- Easy care: Laminate cleans easily with soap and water.
- Styling: Laminate comes in unlimited colors and realistic woodgrain patterns.
Thermofoil Kitchen Cabinets
With a vinyl film vacuum-sealed to wood substrate, thermofoil is another budget-friendly option.
- Price range: Mid-range pricing, less expensive than wood.
- Low maintenance: Thermofoil won’t chip or peel. Simply wipe clean.
- Styles: Available in numerous colors and woodgrain finishes.
- Softly finished look: Subtler surface texture than high-gloss laminate.
Painted Kitchen Cabinets
Painted cabinets provide the most styling flexibility. Consider:
- Affordability: Painting existing cabinets costs less than new.
- Custom colors: Choose any paint color to match your decor.
- DIY-friendly: Painting cabinets is an easy weekend project.
- Frequent touch-ups: Paint requires more maintenance than wood stains.
Evaluating Retailers and Manufacturers
Once you decide on cabinet materials and styles, the next step is finding high-quality products. Be a savvy shopper by looking at the following retailer and manufacturer considerations:
Big Box Stores: IKEA, Home Depot, Lowe’s
Large home improvement chains offer convenience and affordable pricing but less selection and customization.
Pros
- Wide availability of stores for easy shopping
- Value-priced stock and semi-custom cabinets
- Streamlined process from purchase to installation
Cons
- Limited cabinet lines and options
- Lower quality materials in some value-priced cabinets
- Lack of customization beyond basic adjustments
Independent Cabinet Dealers
Local and regional cabinet dealers provide wider selection and customization capabilities.
Pros
- Numerous brands and cabinet lines to choose from
- Experts assist with design and product questions
- Custom sizing and storage options
- Higher-end materials and craftsmanship
Cons
- Pricing is higher than big box stores
- Cabinet delivery involves more logistics
Online Cabinet Retailers
Purchasing cabinets online offers wider selection and customization at lower prices.
Pros
- Browse and order cabinets 24/7 from anywhere
- Save money by eliminating showroom overhead
- Get help from customer service agents
- Streamlined purchasing and delivery
Cons
- No ability to see before you buy
- Potential for damage during shipping
- Still usually need professional installation
Custom Cabinetry
For ultimate quality and customization, many homeowners opt for cabinetry built specifically for their kitchen.
Pros
- Fully customized sizing, storage, materials and styling
- Built to match exact kitchen specifications
- Highest quality materials and craftsmanship
- Prestige of owning custom-made cabinetry
Cons
- Longer lead times – typically 6-8 weeks
- Much higher cost than stock cabinetry
- Often need specialist for installation
Where to Buy the Best Kitchen Cabinets
Now that we’ve covered the cabinet selection process in depth, where exactly can you purchase quality kitchen cabinets? Here is an overview of top retailer options:
Home Depot
With nearly 2,000 stores across North America, Home Depot is many homeowners’ first stop for home improvement projects. Benefits include:
- Several in-house brands like Hampton Bay and Home Decorators Collection
- Affordable stock cabinets in various materials and styles
- Ability to order semi-custom cabinetry through Home Depot
- Free in-home design consultations with kitchen professionals
- Reliable delivery and installation options
Overall, Home Depot is ideal for DIYers looking for convenience, reliability and affordably-priced stock cabinetry.
Lowe’s
Similar to Home Depot, Lowe’s provides one-stop shopping for home improvement projects with nearly 2,000 stores. Advantages include:
- Wide selection of stock and semi-custom cabinetry
- Exclusive brands like KraftMaid and Aristokraft Cabinetry
- Online ordering with in-store pickup option
- Cabinet specialists assist with recommendations
- Coordination of delivery and installation
Lowe’s matches Home Depot with national availability and turnkey kitchen cabinet services.
IKEA
The iconic Swedish furniture brand is beloved for providing contemporary style at wallet-friendly price points. Benefits include:
- Stock cabinetry starting at just $50 per cabinet
- Clever storage solutions and space-saving designs
- Cabinet fronts customizable with doors, drawers, hardware
- Ability to mix-and-match cabinet frames and fronts
- Affordable shipping right to your doorstep
For clean, modern style on a budget, IKEA is a great choice.
Kabinet Pro
This highly-rated online retailer specializes in made-to-order cabinetry with excellent value. Perks include:
- Semi-custom cabinets with hundreds of sizes and configurations
- Quality wood construction with eco-friendly finishes
- Modern and transitional style door designs
- Free design software to create kitchen layout
- Competitive pricing and bulk order discounts
- Professional white glove delivery service
If you like to shop online and want quality cabinets without the custom price tag, Kabinet Pro is a great option.
Canyon Creek Cabinet Company
Known for providing the widest selection of cabinet styles, Canyon Creek Cabinet Company has over 20 finish options and 80 door styles. Additional benefits:
- Huge selection of RTA and assembled cabinetry
- Affordable pricing for the quality and selection
- Helpful customer service and designers
- Easy online ordering with fast shipping
For the largest style selection, Canyon Creek Cabinet Company is worth exploring.
Barkers Cabinet Makers
This family-owned company hand-crafts custom cabinetry in Kansas since 1975. Expect:
- Three-generations of woodworking expertise
- Kitchen cabinets made from solid hardwoods
- Fully customized designs, storage, dimensions and finishes
- Involved consultation process to match cabinets to kitchen
- Lifetime warranty on all cabinetry
For the highest quality custom-built cabinetry, Barkers Cabinet Makers is a fantastic albeit splurge choice.
Key Factors When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinet selection involves carefully weighing many factors. Be sure to evaluate the following elements as you shop:
Quality of Materials and Construction
Focus on cabinets made from durable materials like wood, plywood, aluminum and high-pressure laminate. Examine framework construction – dove tailing and corner blocking indicate quality.
Styles That Suit Your Tastes
Choose cabinet door styles and finishes that align with your interior design tastes and kitchen decor.
Storage That Fits Your Needs
Opt for clever storage solutions like pull-out spice racks, vertical dividers, and roll-out trays that maximize usable space.
Cost and Budget
Carefully balance quality and cost considerations. Lower-priced cabinets often equate to lower quality.
Company’s Reputation and Warranty
Choose established brands that manufacture under strict quality controls and provide strong product warranties.
Ordering and Delivery Process
Factor how and when cabinets can be delivered. Many retailers offer turnkey installation services.
By balancing all of these criteria, you can feel confident selecting high-quality kitchen cabinets that exude style, function and value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about finding and purchasing new kitchen cabinets? Below we respond to some frequently asked questions:
What are the most popular kitchen cabinet brands?
Some of today’s most popular kitchen cabinet brands include KraftMaid, Thomasville, Wellborn, Kemper, Aristokraft, Shenandoah, Omega, Merillat, Marsh Furniture, Bertch, Canyon Creek and Diamond.
Should I choose assembled or ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets?
Assembled cabinets simply need installing. RTA cabinets require assembly but cost less. Choose RTA if you don’t mind a DIY project.
What is the most expensive kitchen cabinet material?
Exotic solid woods like ebony, zebrawood and teak are the most expensive cabinet materials. They cost hundreds of dollars even for small projects.
What is the best material for white kitchen cabinets?
For a fresh white kitchen, choose cabinets with a thermofoil or laminate finish which will resist yellowing over time. Solid maple painted white is another great option. Avoid knots which may bleed through paint.
Should I get cabinets locally or online?
If you like seeing products in person, shop locally. For wider selection and potential cost savings, buying online is worth consideration.
How much do semi-custom kitchen cabinets cost?
Semi-custom kitchen cabinets range from $100 – $700 per linear cabinet foot, depending on materials and features. Expect to pay $15,000 – $30,000 for a full kitchen.
Are custom cabinets worth the extra cost?
For some homeowners, yes – custom cabinetry adds prestige, exact customization and higher resale value. For others, stock and semi-custom are more cost-effective. Prioritize your needs.
Conclusion
The quest for beautiful, high-quality kitchen cabinets that suit your lifestyle and budget can certainly be challenging. But armed with the guidance above explaining cabinet materials, retailers, manufacturers, cost considerations and more – you now have an insider’s guide to shopping for kitchen cabinets.
Follow the tips outlined here to narrow your focus, weed through options and hone in on cabinets that align with your taste, kitchen design and budget goals. Before you know it, you’ll be whipping up culinary feasts in your fresh, fabulous new kitchen!