When updating a kitchen, new kitchen cabinets will be one of the biggest expenses. Given that they will make up most of your kitchen’s functionality, this makes sense. However, you still want to know that you’re getting good value for money.
But while there’s a great range of kitchen cabinet options available, it can be hard to tell them apart. Most brands seem similar with a standard look and using the same materials. So, how do you know which one is the best?
What should I be looking for when choosing kitchen cabinets?
If you ask most suppliers of ‘high-end’ kitchen cabinets, they will tell you that you get what you pay for. This is somewhat true – more expensive cabinets tend to be well constructed, using high-quality materials. However, this doesn’t mean that just because cabinets cost more, they are of better quality.
In fact, there are a number of budget-friendly kitchen cabinet products that perform just as well as more expensive ones. Generally, these brands focus on volume, producing larger quantities of standardised products, and use their scale to keep costs down. As a result, they can achieve a similar look and level of quality for a fraction of the price.
With this in mind, and acknowledging the wide variety of kitchen cabinets available, it’s hard to choose one ‘best’ brand. As with many products, different brands have different strengths and are better suited to different situations. As such, the best kitchen cabinets for you will depend on a number of key factors.
The quality you require: Your kitchen cabinets should be built to last and able to endure daily use. However, unless durability is particularly important to you, you probably do not require top of the line materials. For example, laminate tends to be more cost-effective and durable than its higher-end 2 Pac kitchen cabinetry. The type of hinges used are also important – high-quality hinges such as those from Hettich (which we use at Kitchen Shack), are built to last and come with a lifetime warranty. We also offer a 10-year warranty on all our kitchen cabinets.
Your floorplan: Your kitchen cabinets will frame and shape your kitchen area. If it’s an unusual shape, you might require custom cabinets but in most cases, standard cabinetry can fit any area.
The look you want to achieve: Different finishes will be better suited to different styles. How you want your kitchen to look will determine the products you should be choosing from.
Your budget: Ultimately, how much you have to spend on kitchen cabinets will determine the best outcome. This is especially relevant if you have a medium to large-sized kitchen and you want accessory cabinets to suit your look and functionality.
Is custom worth the cost?
Generally speaking, custom cabinetry sits at the highest end of the market. It’s made to order and designed to suit. However, this bespoke production comes at a high cost, with custom cabinets significantly more expensive because of the manual labour intensive to make every individual cabinet.
On the other hand, high-quality cabinets are made from the same materials as a custom cabinetry. Standard sized cabinets can also provide a comparable look and level of functionality and can be designed into most kitchen spaces.
With this in mind, many experienced kitchen designers recommend using standard-sized cabinets and having them professionally designed to suit your space and installed. This will cost less than custom cabinets but will deliver a finish that looks fantastic and functional. The money saved can be put towards higher quality fixtures, finishes and accessories, further elevating the kitchen’s overall look.
Need help choosing the right cabinets for your kitchen?
If you’re planning a new kitchen and need some help choosing your kitchen cabinets, contact the Kitchen Shack team. We are experts in making the most of a limited renovation budget and supply a range of cost-effective kitchen cabinet solutions. Through our free in-store design service, we can help you bring your dream kitchen to life.
