Can I buy kitchen cabinets online? Yes, you absolutely can purchase kitchen cabinets online today, making the process much easier and often more affordable. This comprehensive kitchen cabinet buying guide will walk you through every step. Buying new kitchen cabinets is a big job. It changes how your kitchen looks and works. You need to make smart choices to get the best value and a kitchen you love. We will cover everything from types of cabinets to where to shop and installation tips.
Choosing the Right Cabinet Type for Your Budget and Needs
Kitchen cabinets come in three main styles based on how they are built and how much they cost. Deciding which type fits your project is the first big step.
Ready-to-Assemble Kitchen Cabinets (RTA)
Ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets, often called RTA kitchen cabinets, arrive flat-packed. You put them together yourself.
- Pros: They are usually the cheapest option. They save money on labor costs. They often ship faster than custom orders.
- Cons: Assembly takes time and patience. Mistakes can happen if you are not careful. The final look might not be as solid as factory-built cabinets.
If you are handy and budget-conscious, RTA kitchen cabinets installation might be for you. Many companies offer guides and videos to help with the setup process.
Pre-made Kitchen Cabinets (Stock Cabinets)
Pre-made kitchen cabinets are built in standard sizes by large manufacturers. They are ready to ship immediately.
- Pros: Very fast delivery times. The cost is lower than custom options. Sizes are standardized, making planning simpler.
- Cons: Limited choices for colors, finishes, and sizes. You must design your kitchen around the standard cabinet sizes available. This can lead to awkward gaps or fillers.
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Semi-custom kitchen cabinets offer a middle ground. They start with standard dimensions but allow for more changes.
- Pros: You get more choices in depth, height, and specific features (like pull-out shelves). They look nicer than basic stock cabinets.
- Cons: They cost more than stock or RTA options. Lead times are longer because they are built to order.
Full Custom Cabinets
These are built just for your kitchen. Every dimension, material, and feature is selected by you.
- Pros: Perfect fit for tricky spaces. Unlimited design freedom. Highest quality materials and construction.
- Cons: Most expensive option by far. Longest lead times—often 8 to 12 weeks or more.
Fathoming Cabinet Construction: Framed vs. Frameless
Beyond the assembly type, cabinets are built differently inside. This affects durability and looks.
Framed Cabinets (Face Frame)
These cabinets have a wood frame attached to the front edges of the cabinet box. The doors attach to this face frame.
- Look: Traditional, classic look.
- Space: The frame slightly reduces the opening size inside the cabinet.
- Durability: Generally very strong and sturdy.
Frameless Cabinets (Full Overlay or European Style)
These cabinets do not have a front frame. The doors attach directly to the sides of the box.
- Look: Modern, sleek look. Doors usually cover the entire cabinet box edge.
- Space: Offers maximum storage space inside because the opening is larger.
- Durability: Relies heavily on the quality of the box construction and hinges.
Where to Shop: Finding the Best Places to Buy Kitchen Cabinets
Where you buy your cabinets matters for price, service, and quality. Knowing the best places to buy kitchen cabinets helps narrow your search.
| Vendor Type | Typical Price Range | Best For | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Box Home Improvement Stores | Mid-Range to High | Convenience, seeing samples in person. | Sales staff expertise can vary widely. |
| Independent Kitchen Dealers | High to Very High | Full design service, high-end custom work. | Often includes installation services. |
| Online Cabinet Retailers | Low to Mid-Range | Budget shopping, access to RTA or stock lines. | You must handle measurements and design layout. |
| Local Cabinet Makers | Mid-Range to Very High | Truly unique designs, specific wood matching. | Longer lead times required. |
Exploring Online Options
The internet has changed the game. You can find great deals for affordable kitchen cabinets online. Many successful projects start this way.
If you look online, check reviews carefully. Ask about shipping policies, especially regarding damage during transit. Always order samples first to check the finish and color accuracy before committing to a whole kitchen order.
Visiting Local Showrooms
If you prefer seeing things in person, search for kitchen cabinet showrooms near me. Showrooms let you touch the materials, open the drawers, and see the finishes under different lights.
While local dealers might seem pricier, they often provide professional design help, which can save you money by preventing measurement errors later on.
Deciphering Cabinet Materials and Finishes
The materials dictate how long your cabinets last and how much they cost.
Cabinet Box Materials
The “box” or carcass is the structure behind the doors.
- Plywood: The gold standard. It is strong, resists moisture well, and holds screws securely. It is more expensive.
- Furniture Board/Particleboard (MDF or Particleboard): The most budget-friendly option. It is heavy and sensitive to water damage if the finish is breached. Often used for affordable kitchen cabinets online.
- OSB (Oriented Strand Board): Rarely used in quality kitchens today, mainly found in very cheap sets.
Door and Drawer Front Materials
This is the visible part of your kitchen.
- Solid Wood: Oak, maple, cherry. Beautiful, durable, and can be refinished. Higher cost.
- Wood Veneer: A thin layer of real wood glued over a substrate (like plywood or MDF). Offers the look of wood at a better price.
- Laminate/Thermofoil: A synthetic layer heat-sealed over an MDF core. Very easy to clean and budget-friendly. Colors and patterns are consistent.
Style Choices: Exploring Kitchen Cabinet Styles and Options
The aesthetic appeal of your kitchen relies heavily on the door style and hardware. Reviewing kitchen cabinet styles and options helps define your kitchen’s personality.
Popular Door Styles
- Shaker: Characterized by a flat center panel and a simple, square frame. Timeless, clean, and fits almost any decor. A top seller for both semi-custom and stock lines.
- Slab (or Flat Panel): A completely flat door with no detailing. Very modern and minimalist.
- Raised Panel: The center panel is raised, often with beveled edges. Traditional and formal looking.
- Beadboard: Features vertical grooves in the center panel. Offers a cottage or farmhouse feel.
Choosing Finishes
Finishes range from painted to stained to laminated.
- Stain: Shows the natural grain of the wood. Excellent for natural or rustic looks.
- Paint: Offers solid, opaque color. White, grey, and navy are popular choices today. Modern paints are very durable.
- Glaze: A semi-transparent color applied over a stain or paint, settled into the grooves to add depth and highlight detail.
Budgeting and Pricing: What to Expect
Budgeting for cabinets is crucial. They are often the single largest expense in a kitchen remodel.
Factors Affecting Custom Kitchen Cabinet Pricing
Custom kitchen cabinet pricing varies wildly based on several key factors:
- Material Quality: Plywood boxes cost more than particleboard. Solid wood doors cost more than thermofoil.
- Door Style Complexity: Intricate details (like curved glass inserts or heavy distressing) increase labor costs.
- Finish: Hand-applied glazes or unusual paint colors usually cost more than standard white paint.
- Functionality: Specialized storage (spice pull-outs, built-in dividers, lazy Susans) adds to the price.
Comparing RTA vs. Custom Costs
| Cabinet Type | Estimated Cost Per Linear Foot (Box Only) | Added Installation Cost |
|---|---|---|
| RTA Kitchen Cabinets | \$75 – \$150 | Low (DIY labor) |
| Stock (Pre-made) | \$120 – \$250 | Moderate (Simple install) |
| Semi-Custom | \$200 – \$450 | Moderate to High |
| Full Custom | \$500 – \$1200+ | High (Specialized installation) |
Note: These prices are estimates and change based on current material markets and location.
If you are leaning toward ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets, remember to add the cost of hardware (hinges and drawer slides) and assembly time to your calculations. High-quality RTA often includes better hardware than the cheapest options.
Practical Planning: Measurements and Layout
Poor measurements lead to costly mistakes. Always double-check your numbers.
Creating an Accurate Layout
- Measure Walls: Measure the length of every wall where cabinets will go. Measure twice!
- Note Obstacles: Mark the exact location and width of all doors, windows, plumbing stacks, and vents.
- Ceiling Height: Note any slopes or variations in ceiling height.
- Appliance Dimensions: Have the exact height, width, and depth of your refrigerator, range, and dishwasher ready. Cabinets must fit these built-in spaces perfectly.
When buying stock or pre-made kitchen cabinets, you must work backward from the standard sizes available to fit your space neatly. With semi-custom kitchen cabinets, you have more flexibility to adjust sizes in small increments (usually 1-inch or 3-inch steps).
Hardware Choices: The Finishing Touch
Drawer slides and hinges determine how your doors and drawers operate daily. Do not skimp here.
- Soft-Close Hinges: These prevent doors from slamming shut. They are a must-have feature for modern kitchens.
- Full-Extension Drawer Slides: These allow the drawer to pull all the way out, giving you access to the very back of the drawer box. Look for slides rated for 75 lbs or more if you plan on storing heavy pots.
Installation Considerations: DIY vs. Professional
Once you buy your cabinets, you must install them. This is where the type you chose has a major impact.
DIY Installation
If you chose ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets, you will be doing the assembly and mounting.
- Tools Needed: Level, stud finder, quality drill/driver, shims, clamps, and potentially specialized jigs for consistent hole drilling.
- Key Tip: Always secure cabinets to wall studs, not just drywall. Start with the upper cabinets first, making sure they are perfectly level before securing them, as the base cabinets will rely on the uppers for alignment.
Hiring a Professional Installer
For custom kitchen cabinet pricing quotes, installation might be included. If not, you need a skilled carpenter. Professional installers ensure:
- Perfect alignment, even if walls are slightly crooked.
- Proper support for heavy countertops that will rest on top of the base cabinets.
- Accurate fitting around appliances and complex features.
Maintenance and Longevity
Smart purchasing also means thinking about the future. How easy will these cabinets be to keep looking new?
- Painted Finishes: Best maintained with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners, which can dull the finish.
- Wood Stains: Can usually be touched up with wood repair markers or restain kits if scratched.
- Laminates: Extremely durable against everyday grime but susceptible to chipping at the edges.
If you are planning to sell your home soon, investing in semi-custom kitchen cabinets with durable finishes often offers the best return on investment without reaching the top-tier custom price point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Kitchen Cabinets
What is the difference between stock and semi-custom cabinets?
Stock cabinets come only in fixed, standard dimensions (e.g., 12″, 15″, 18″ widths). Semi-custom cabinets start with standard sizes but allow for adjustments in height, depth, and modifications to the door style or material finish, offering a better fit than stock but less flexibility than full custom.
Where can I find the best prices on quality cabinets?
Often, the best combination of price and quality can be found through specialized online retailers selling high-quality ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets or direct-to-consumer brands offering well-made stock lines. Comparing quotes from kitchen cabinet showrooms near me against online vendors is always smart.
How much extra should I budget for hardware?
If you buy basic pre-made kitchen cabinets, the included hardware may be low quality. Budget an extra 5% to 10% of the total cabinet cost to upgrade to soft-close hinges and full-extension drawer slides for a vastly improved user experience.
Do I need a kitchen designer if I order cabinets online?
While not strictly necessary, having a rough layout plan from a professional designer can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars by preventing ordering errors. Many online cabinet suppliers offer free design review services if you provide them with your measurements.
What does RTA kitchen cabinets installation involve?
RTA kitchen cabinets installation involves unpacking the flat-packed pieces, identifying all components, assembling the box frame using cam locks and screws, attaching the door hinges, and finally mounting the assembled unit onto the wall and leveling it correctly. It requires time, patience, and basic carpentry skills.