Without a doubt, the most exciting room in a new home is the kitchen. All at once, it reflects the homeowner’s interest in the entire project: a dull kitchen often means a dull home, while an exciting kitchen signals an exciting home. The design of the kitchen will center around one main feature: the kitchen cabinets. Therefore, buying kitchen cabinets should be an important part of your new home planning.
Your budget will ultimately determine the quality of the kitchen cabinets you buy. But let there be no mistake: all cabinets are not created equal. It’s essential to understand the difference between quality construction and average construction so you can make an informed decision. You should know what materials are used in furniture-grade cabinets versus economy cabinets. While not everyone can afford a custom kitchen, everyone can, and should, understand what makes a set of cabinets good versus average.
Types of Kitchen Cabinets
Let’s talk about the types of kitchen cabinets available. Generally speaking, when you are buying kitchen cabinets, you’ll have two primary options: box cabinets and custom-built cabinets. Box cabinets have four sides and are individual, complete compartments that are preassembled and attached to one another on the job site to form your kitchen design. Alternatively, you can have your cabinets built at your construction site (or by a shop) by a cabinet maker and then installed. The main difference between these two options is that a custom cabinet builder can make your cabinets “to size,” eliminating unsightly filler strips often needed when using manufactured cabinets built to standard sizes. Of course, custom cabinets are significantly more expensive!
There is also a third option to consider. A custom cabinet maker can create a cabinet face that’s mounted to a sub-frame, providing the look of a complete set of box cabinets but at a lower price. This might be a good option if you’re on a tight budget but want a custom look. The savings come from the fact that only the face and doors are made from furniture-grade wood or plywood, while everything inside the cabinet is open, except for the rough framing that supports the face and the countertop. This allows you to use high-quality wood for the face and doors, while saving money on the rest of the cabinet construction. The downside, however, is the wide-open look inside the cabinets, with exposed drywall that may need to be finished since it will be visible.
When considering price points for kitchen cabinets, entry-level options typically include box cabinets made from particle board with either an engineered wood or particleboard face. The doors might be constructed from finger-jointed wood or particleboard, while the shelving is often made from low-grade plywood or particleboard. The construction of the drawers involves butt joints, which are stapled or nailed and sometimes glued, similar to the rest of the joinery (where wood meets wood at a 90-degree angle). These cabinets are usually only available pre-finished in solid colors, as an unfinished cabinet would expose manufacturing imperfections.
In the same price range as entry-level cabinets is a product made specifically for DIYers, called RTA (ready to assemble). In a line-by-line cost comparison, RTA cabinets can be more affordable than most entry-level cabinets of similar quality, because there is no labor involved in their manufacturing. This type of cabinet can significantly improve the look of your kitchen, as the money saved by assembling the cabinets yourself can be used to purchase a higher-quality product that mimics the look of an expensive custom kitchen.
If DIY isn’t an option, the next step up is what we call midline cabinets, which are where most new homebuyers find cabinets that meet their needs. These cabinets offer a broader selection of design styles and colors, made possible by professional construction techniques and the use of higher-quality materials. These cabinets are generally made of wood—no particleboard—and quality plywood. The plywood is used for the sides, backs, shelving, and drawers. The face and doors are usually made from solid wood. The construction is enhanced by using dado cuts to secure the back panel, and the drawers typically feature dovetail joinery that is glued. Vinyl-covered “wood look” plywood is not used, although plywood with a laminated wood top layer (such as oak or birch) is frequently found in cabinet-making.
The best value for most new home buyers can be obtained by combining quality cabinets, careful selection of wood types, finishes, and cabinet styles (such as Victorian, Country, or European), along with carefully chosen finish trims in matching or accent colors. Oak, maple, birch, and cherry offer great value and durability. Hickory is a beautiful wood, but its grain patterns can be challenging to match in larger kitchens. Pine works well with many country styles, but the wood can be prone to movement. If you plan to paint your cabinets or use a solid stain and want solid wood underneath, consider using oak. It’s stable, hard, and reasonably priced.
Look for design opportunities when laying out your kitchen to achieve a custom look without the custom price. Consider using taller wall cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling. This eliminates the dust-collecting area above most wall cabinets. You can also add glass doors in areas where the contents of the cabinet would add visual interest. Another great option is to use rope trim, crown molding, and spindles to accessorize your kitchen design.