Kitchen Cabinet Buying Guide in the Tech Era

Buying kitchen cabinets can be the most challenging part of renovating your home. You may wonder what are the best kitchen cabinets to buy. The truth is there is no straightforward answer to this question. Choosing the right kitchen cabinets depends on various factors such as your needs, your space, the style you like, and more importantly, your budget. 

Here I am going to take a look at different aspects of buying cabinets and provide you with some useful kitchen cabinets buying tips. Also, introduce Morsun Kitchen cabinets as a professional, trustworthy provider that you can rely on for your dream kitchen. Hope you can make up your mind by the end of this post. 

What Are the Best Kitchen Cabinets to Buy

When renovating your kitchen, it is important to buy the best kitchen cabinets. But what is it? Well, there is no easy answer for this question. However, you can choose the cabinets best suited for you, considering several factors. 

The size of your kitchen, the design you prefer, your desired customization, and finally your budget will define what kind of cabinets you should choose. 

The first thing you should decide on is if you want to order fully customized cabinets or  want to go for a ready-to-assemble one? In this regard, cabinets generally fall into four main categories. Ready-to-assemble, stock, semi-custom, and custom. Here we are going to take a quick look at each category.  

Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets

Ready-to-assemble cabinets are a popular choice for budget-conscious renovations and DIY projects. These types of cabinets are available in a few different standard sizes, materials, and colors and are easy to install; of course you need to be a bit handy with tools. 

These cabinets are ideal for quick updates, rental properties, office renovation, etc. RTA cabinets are appreciated for their budget-friendly price, ease of installation, decent appearance, and easy availability. They provide you with decent style and beauty, but are not as customizable as fully custom cabinets. 

Custom Cabinets

If you want unique kitchen cabinets that are tailored to your space and your needs, you should choose custom kitchen cabinets. These cabinets are designed especially for your space after a careful measurement and will provide you with countless solutions to ease your everyday life. 

They are ideal if there is a special layout you like, you have odd angles in your kitchen, or want special features. Or maybe you simply want your kitchen's overall look to stand out. Then custom cabinets can offer you the ultimate level of craftsmanship and material choice. 

Although custom cabinets can offer anything you need, their higher cost can be a serious problem, especially if you are tight on budget. 

Semi-Custom Cabinets

If you are not happy with the limited options that RTA cabinets offer and your budget does not allow fully custom cabinets, you can stand somewhere in between! Semi-custom cabinets provide you with more flexibility. 

With semi-custom cabinets you can start with standard sizes and styles similar to RTA cabinets, but you can add your details. For example, you can tweak dimensions, finishes, or door styles of the cabinets to better fit your kitchen. To sum up, semi-custom cabinets provide you with more design freedom, but still at a budget-friendly price. 

Stock Cabinets

If you are not that comfortable with DIY projects but want to save on money, stock cabinets can be a good choice. These cabinets are mass-produced in standard sizes and styles and are available at big-box stores or kitchen showrooms. 

Stock cabinets are an affordable and convenient option if you are tight on budget and time. However, you do not have the freedom that custom cabinets offer you. 

Budgeting for Your Kitchen Cabinets

You may or may not know from past experiences, cabinets are your major expense when remodeling your kitchen - often accounting for 30-40% of the total budget. So it is important for you to understand what goes into the price and how you can plan realistically. 

The cost of your kitchen cabinets depends on several factors, first one: the type of cabinets you choose. You can lower your expenses by going for RTA or stock cabinets, but they come with some limitations and may not fulfill all your needs. 

When talking about custom kitchen cabinets, the layout you choose, the material, the finishing, the hardware, and the custom features you desire can add significantly to the price. But that is not all! Mind that delivery and installation can also cost a fortune! So what to do? Here are some tips to balance your expenses:

• Mix and match cabinet types: You can lower your expenses by using a combination of stock, RTA, and custom cabinets. For example, consider an affordable stock cabinet for the main layout and add a few custom compartments for the angles or the island. 

• Choose material wisely: You may be fascinated by the elegant look of natural materials such as wood and stone. But do not forget to think about more budget-friendly materials such as laminate, as they can offer higher quality and almost the same beauty at a much lower price.  

• Balance price and quality: Cheapest can mean lower quality which can add extra expenses over time. You do not want to spend a large part of your budget on cabinets just to see wear and tear after a few months or years. While looking for a reasonable price, make sure you are getting decent quality.

• Be prepared for surprises: After the installation, you may still want to do some modifications. For example you may want to upgrade your hardware for a better look and feel. Here's a rule of thumb: set aside 10% of your cabinet budget as a contingency fund.

• Buy from trusted sellers: Check the reputation of the provider you want to buy your kitchen cabinets from. Check their website and read some reviews to make sure you are buying from a trusted provider. Ensure they offer decent customer service in case of problems rising. 

Cabinet Construction and Materials

Cabinet buying guide will not be complete without considering materials. When deciding on cabinets, you probably tend to pay attention to the layout and the colors you like. But construction and materials are as important as their appearance. Let’s take a look at different parts of cabinets and what they are made of.

Cabinet Box Materials

Cabinet boxes, also called carcass,  are the backbone of your kitchen cabinets. Cabinet boxes are typically made from particleboard, MDF, or plywood. 

Particleboards are a cheaper option, but are more prone to moisture damage. MDF on the other hand is too heavy and can make the delivery and installation process more challenging and more costly. 

Plywood is the ideal choice for cabinet boxes: it is strong, stable, and resistant to warping. But it does not offer as smooth a surface as MDF, so we do not recommend it for the visible parts of your cabinets. 

Door Styles and Materials

Cabinet doors are the most visible part of your kitchen, as a result, they can define the overall tone of your space. Depending on the design you have in your mind, you can choose the style of your cabinet doors. 

• Shaker doors: If you are thinking of something more classic, shaker doors can bring timeless beauty to your kitchen by their simple frame with a recessed center panel. 

• Raised panel doors: If you are thinking of something more traditional, you may want to consider raised panel doors. 

• Slab doors: For a more modern look, slab doors offer a contemporary, sleek look. 

 Choosing the material for the doors depends on the design you have in your mind and your budget. 

• Solid wood: If you have no worries on budget and like to bring the warmth and elegance of natural material to your kitchen, solid wood is a timeless choice. But your choice of colors and tones are limited to the natural tones of wood.

• MDF: Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a budget-friendly alternative that offers various advantages. MDF can be cut easily into various shapes, providing more detailed results. Also, MDF is more versatile with finishes and colors, offering you countless options to choose from. 

Framed vs. Frameless Cabinets

Framed cabinets are the traditional American style of cabinetry. They come with a face frame attached to the front of the cabinet box. This style of cabinets is more sturdy and has a more classic look. 

Frameless cabinets on the other hand, sometimes called European style, do not have this face frame and the doors are directly attached to the walls of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets have a more contemporary appearance and offer a bit more storage space.

While both framed and frameless cabinets have their own pros and cons, it is totally up to you and the style of cabinets you choose to decide on the frame of the cabinets. 

Cabinet Sizes and Configurations

Most stock, RTA, and semi custom cabinets come in standard sizes. Here are the standard sizes:

• Base cabinets are usually 24 inches deep and 34.5 inches high.

• Wall cabinets are 12-24 inches deep and vary in height.

• Pantry cabinets can reach up to 96 inches. 

While the standard sizes are also usually applied to fully custom cabinets, you can customize the sizes to fit better in your space, especially if you have awkward corners. 

Cabinet Finishes and Colors

Cabinet finishes and colors define the overall mood of your kitchen. They also provide you with countless choices in terms of pattern, shine, and color. Here are some popular finishes and colors you can consider:

• Stained wood: It shows off natural grain of wood and adds warmth and character to your kitchen.

• Laminate: Is a moisture-resistant finishing that can be patterned and mimic natural wood or stone. Or you can go for simple laminate that can have various colors. 

• High-gloss vs. matte: High-gloss offers a mirror-like surface that brightens up your space and offers a high-end look for modern kitchens. On the other hand, matte finishing adds depth and character to your kitchen. 

• Painted finishing: Acrylic paint can be applied on MDF or solid wood to add your desired vibe and atmosphere to the kitchen. You can go for neutral colors for a more inviting environment or choose bold colors for added character. 

Cabinet Hardware and Interior Accessories

Choosing the right hardware is usually neglected, but one of the most important parts of buying kitchen cabinets. Choosing the right hardware elevates the appearance of your kitchen and enhances its durability and functionality.

• Hinges and drawer slides: Make sure to choose quality hinges and soft-close drawer slides. These hardwares protect your cabinets and avoid doors from shattering. 

• Handles and knobs: Proper handles and knobs not only enhance the overall look of the cabinets, they make it easier to open and close the doors and drawers. 

• Organizational accessories:  There are various options to enhance your storage space. Do not forget to consider them according to your needs. For example pull-out trays are perfect for accessing otherwise hard-to-reach spaces. You can also consider swipe racks, drawer dividers, lazy susans, etc. to keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free. 

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation is key in the life span of the cabinets. If you are leaving the installation to the professionals, there are no worries. They will do all the job and install the compartments properly and safely. But if you want to do the installation yourself, pay attention to precise measuring, leveling, and securely mounting the cabinet to walls. 

Cabinets are built to last for at least more than a decade, if maintained properly. Here are some tips on the maintenance of your cabinets:

• Wipe them regularly with a soft cloth or sponge and mild soap.

• Do not scratch the surface of your cabinets. Do not use harsh chemicals that can damage the finishing. Damaged finishing makes the cabinets prone to moisture damages over time.

• Check the hinges regularly and adjust them if needed.  

• Check for wear and tear, and repair the cabinets when needed. 

Conclusion

Buying cabinets can feel overwhelming, but with kitchen cabinets buying tips provided here, you can decide more comfortably. Define your budget, think about your needs, your daily routines, and your aesthetics preferences and decide and the layout, design, and material accordingly. It is always worth consulting with a professional before making up your mind. And finally, remember that Morsun Kitchen cabinets can provide you with consultation and answer your questions anytime you need.