One of the most popular home improvement projects is remodeling your kitchen. When considering a luxury kitchen, you’ve likely noticed modern kitchen cabinets can be pretty expensive. There are some, however, that are more expensive than others. So, what determines how much a kitchen cabinet costs?
The answer is a variety of factors. When choosing which cabinets to install in your newly remodeled kitchen, remember these factors so you’re not surprised by the price.
Cabinets come in a variety of materials. The material of your cabinets will determine their durability and appearance over time, as well as the price. The saying “You get what you pay for” is true. Generally speaking, it is better to invest in high-quality cabinets.
The most common cabinet materials are wood and metal, although you can also get cabinets made of Thermofoil or laminate. While Thermofoil and laminate tend to be budget-friendly options, they are less durable.
Wood tends to be the favorite between timber and metal due to its versatility. There are numerous types of wood, each affecting the look and feel of your kitchen design. The wood type will also affect your kitchen remodel’s overall cost.
Each type of wood has its color and grain, though you can also stain it to get the exact look you want. Woods like oak and maple tend to be lighter in color, while cherry and mahogany have a richer hue.
In terms of price, pine is one of the cheapest cabinet woods to choose from, while mahogany is on the higher end. Other types of woods fall between the two regarding quality and price. Their price is determined, in part, by their durability. Pine is cheaper because it scratches and dents easily, but mahogany ranks as one of the most durable among kitchen cabinet woods.
Stainless steel is known for its durability and low maintenance. It’s also an excellent way to give your kitchen a modern or industrial feel. Keep in mind, however, that stainless steel cabinets can be pricey, although they’re a good choice if you want easily cleaned cabinets.
For the environmentally conscious homeowner, bamboo and lyptus are renewable resources that can be used to create beautiful cabinetry. These materials are durable and can provide a modern feel to a traditional kitchen design. Note, however, that they are costly materials to install.
While you should consider price when factoring cabinet ideas into your design, you shouldn’t forget about their durability. Consider the daily wear and tear your cabinets will likely experience over their lifetime when choosing which materials to use. It is much better to opt for a pricier option, which will last much longer, than something cheaper, which may need to be replaced in 10-15 years.
Like cabinet materials, your choice of hardware materials will also affect the cost. You can choose between low-grade, middle-grade, and premium cabinet fixtures. Low-grade hardware tends to be made of cheaper materials or be less ornate in its design. Meanwhile, high-end hardware is usually made of expensive materials or features an elaborate design.
Cabinet hardware lasts a long time, so there is no need to worry about constantly replacing it. Choosing stylish hardware to add to your cabinets’ can give them that extra “wow” factor. It makes no sense to invest in quality cabinets only to install cheap hardware on them.
When determining your budget, remember the number of cabinet fixtures you will need to purchase to outfit all of your cabinets. The more cabinets you have, the more hardware you buy, increasing the overall cost.
Kitchen cabinets have many features to choose from besides the materials and hardware. You can choose the style, such as whether the cabinet door is inset or overlay. If you’re ordering custom cabinetry, you can choose the overall style, such as shaker, raised panel, or slab.
You can also choose more practical features, such as whether you want soft-close doors and drawers. These features are helpful to prevent doors and drawers from slamming as you use the cabinets.
The more complicated the design or the more features you add, the more expensive the cabinets will be. Regardless of what features you add, this is a general rule of thumb to remember.
There are pre-built cabinets, and then there are custom cabinets. When you purchase pre-made or prefabricated cabinets, they tend to feature fewer design options and finishes. Pre-made cabinets provide fewer options regarding the look of your cabinetry.
While prefabricated cabinets can seem like the better option despite these limitations in design, they may not fit your specific needs. If you have odd corners or spaces in your kitchen, it is difficult for prefabricated cabinets to fit into them, leaving you with a disjointed design.
Custom cabinets tend to be the most expensive due to the cost of materials, features, and additional labor. Unlike pre-made cabinets, custom cabinets need to be specially ordered and take time to be made. These are usually tailored to your exact kitchen and style. You have more control over the look, including what materials, designs, and features are used and added.
Custom cabinets are the best choice for those looking for complete design control over their kitchen cabinets or those needing their cabinets customized to fit their exact kitchen space. Custom cabinets also bring a hint of luxury to your overall design.
The cost of kitchen cabinets is determined by various factors, including materials used, the hardware chosen, the features added, and whether they are custom-made or pre-built.
Materials significantly impact the cost and durability of cabinets. For instance, while Thermofoil and laminate are budget-friendly, they are less durable than wood or metal. Among woods, pine is cheaper but less durable, whereas mahogany is more expensive but more durable. Stainless steel is durable and gives a modern look but can be pricier.
Custom cabinets offer more design control and can be tailored to fit specific kitchen spaces, including odd corners. Although they tend to be more expensive, they cater to exact needs and provide a luxury feel to the kitchen design.
The choice of hardware materials affects the cost. Low-grade hardware is typically cheaper but might not complement quality cabinets, while high-end hardware is usually made of pricier materials or has elaborate designs. The quantity of hardware needed will also impact the overall cost.
Yes, cabinets can come with features like the style of the cabinet door (inset or overlay) or practical additions like soft-close doors and drawers. The complexity of design and additional features typically increases the cost of the cabinets.
Does your kitchen need a remodel? The Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling team can help you start the process, whether you’re just looking to update the look of your kitchen or completely remodel it. We specialize in custom cabinetry, installation, and much more. Contact us for a free design consultation and take a step closer to achieving the new kitchen of your dreams!
Kimberly Villa is a recognized expert in the Home Design and Remodeling industry. Her passion for the industry is matched only by her love for sharing insights, new trends, and design ideas. Kimberly’s expertise and enthusiasm shine through in her contributions to the Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling website blog, where she regularly shares valuable information with readers.
