Buying a Full Kitchen Cabinet Set

When preparing to install new kitchen cabinets, it’s important to keep in mind that there is more than one type. As you weigh your options, it’s important to understand the costs involved with each cabinet style and brand, as well as how to compare their value. The goal is to find the best full kitchen cabinet set for your budget and design.

While a full kitchen cabinet set is a significant purchase, it doesn’t have to break the bank. The good news is that you can find affordable cabinets in a variety of styles and materials. The trick is to make sure you’re getting a quality cabinet that meets your needs and won’t fall apart quickly.

If you’re shopping for stock cabinets, the bulk of your budget will likely go toward drawer boxes and other cabinet components like shelves and hinges. These are the parts that will support the weight of all your dishes and utensils. For cabinet boxes, you’ll want a sturdy plywood core with solid wood face and frame, and for the doors, you’ll want durable veneered particleboard or foil-covered medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels.

In addition to the stocked cabinet selections at home centers, you can also order semi-custom or custom cabinets from online retailers that offer more design options and configurations than standard units. You can also find a local millwork shop that specializes in custom cabinets and furniture. This option typically involves more upfront research and legwork, but the cabinets will often be less expensive than stock cabinets and can be made to your exact specifications.