Trying to find the average cost of kitchen cabinets?
From Taco Tuesdays to Spaghetti Sundays, every family has a strong connection to their kitchen. It’s where you prepare your meals and more importantly, it’s a gathering place for your friends and family. This is why cabinets are commonly one of the first things people consider when remodeling their current home, or buying a new one.
Regardless of why you are considering new cabinets for your kitchen, it is reassuring to know they are known for having a substantial ROI and are known to be a safe investment. Even if you plan to sell your house down the line, it will be nice to enjoy a thoughtfully designed kitchen until the day comes where it is time to move to a new home. The best part is replacing your kitchen cabinets will also increase your home value and make it easier to sell your home at a higher cost.
Even if you never want to move out, you deserve to have a kitchen that makes you feel truly at home. When looking to upgrade your kitchen, price depends on factors like:
- Customization
- Material type
- Kitchen size
Table of Contents
Average Cost of Kitchen Cabinets by Type
You have options when it comes to installing new kitchen cabinets. If you only care about the cheapest option, you can opt for preassembled stock cabinets. The price range increases as you opt for more custom and high-quality cabinets.
Note: Cabinet prices can be calculated per linear foot, per cabinet, or by kitchen square footage. For the purposes of the following section, we’ll be sharing the average costs per cabinet.
Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets usually come preassembled at a home improvement store. Stock kitchen cabinets are definitely the most affordable option, but you should keep in mind that the materials aren’t usually the best quality or environmentally friendly. The purpose of these cabinets is to mass-produce as many as possible. Stock cabinets are best suited for simple, standard size 10’x10′ or 10’x12′ kitchens.
If you’re on a very strict budget, you can still give your kitchen a facelift by opting for stock cabinets. You’ll save even more money if you tackle the installation yourself. You can watch YouTube tutorials like the one below to learn how.
Stock Kitchen Cabinets Cost: $200- $350 per cabinet
Semi-Custom Cabinets
“Semi-custom” might seem like a dichotomy, but you’re reading it right. You can find partially custom kitchen cabinets that can fit the unique dimensions of your kitchen for a mid-level price.
Semi-custom cabinets offer more design options, unique styles, and some custom sizing. Typically, semi-custom cabinets are produced in the same standard dimensions, but some suppliers may allow you to order the cabinets to fit. They come in many different options beyond basic shelves and drawers, such as:
- Different types of finishes
- Wood options
- Dividers
- Sliding shelves
- Rotating shelves
- Lazy Susans
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cost: $300- $600 per cabinet
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Fully custom-designed kitchen cabinets are the cream of the crop when it comes to a kitchen upgrade. Custom kitchen cabinets are the perfect solution for homeowners who want to prioritize a unique kitchen design with high-end, eco-friendly materials.
Choosing custom kitchen cabinets is the best way to bring your dream kitchen to life. If you have a large kitchen with unique dimensions, custom is the way to go. But custom cabinets are also a great fit for small, simple kitchens. It all comes down to your budget and priorities.
Even though the price is the highest for custom cabinets, you’re paying for:
- The best materials
- Unique features that fit your lifestyle
- A skilled designer who personalizes the experience and final result
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Cost: $500+ per cabinet
Price by Cabinet Material
There are a few factors that can impact the final cost of new kitchen cabinets, and material is one of the biggest considerations. From wood veneer to stainless steel, here are the most popular cabinet materials from least expensive to most expensive:
Wood Veneer
Wood veneer cabinets are made by attaching a thin piece of wood onto particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Since the outer layer is real wood, it can be sanded, stained, and refinished to any color.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that MDF and particleboard both have the potential to off-gas formaldehyde due to adhesives used in manufacturing. Formaldehyde is dangerous because it can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. It’s even a carcinogen at high levels. Sometimes, cheap kitchen cabinets aren’t the best option for your home.
At Puustelli, we use 100% recyclable, formaldehyde-free biocomposite frames and sustainably sources wood instead of MDF and particleboard.
Acrylic
Acrylic cabinets are a unique alternative to more expensive materials. Acrylic cabinets have a high-gloss appearance, and they’re available in many colors. Some perks of acrylic cabinets are that they are scratch-resistant and easy to clean. However, the shine is known to dull over the years.
Laminate
Laminate is another popular and affordable cabinet material that many homeowners opt for. Laminate cabinets can resemble real wood, but many people prefer the smooth finish available in a variety of colors. Since laminate cabinets aren’t made from real wood, they are resistant to warping and rotting.
However, keep in mind that some laminate cabinets can still off-gas formaldehyde. look for verified non-toxic brands when you select your materials.
Solid Wood
Real wood is a highly sought-after cabinet material because there is so much variety and character. Some homeowners feel strongly about wood cabinets— either they absolutely love them or hate them. However, real wood cabinets are versatile, as many wood species can be stained or painted over the years.
Popular wood types used for cabinets include:
- Ash: Very strong and absorbs stain evenly
- Bamboo: Very environmentally friendly, but more expensive due to shipping costs
- Birch: Can be finished to look like maple, mahogany, or walnut
- Cherry: Durable with a luxurious appearance
- Hickory: Solid wood that lasts for decades
- Mahogany: Aesthetically pleasing, durable, and rot-resistant
- Maple: Sturdy and stains well
- Oak: Very popular for being inexpensive and strong
- Pine: Environmentally friendly and affordable
- Walnut: Durable, easily cleaned, and looks best when not stained
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel kitchen cabinets are incredibly modern and sleek, but they come with a price tag to match. And no, your home kitchen wouldn’t be resigned to looking like an industrial kitchen in the back of a steakhouse. (Although, this material is most popular in commercial kitchens.) You can stick with the silver finish or opt for a white, black, or colored finish.
The perks of stainless steel cabinets are:
- Long-lasting
- Easy to clean
- Water-resistant
- Low risk of wear
Labor Costs for Installing New Kitchen Cabinets
There’s one more component to keep in mind regarding the cost of a new cabinet installation: labor costs.
Unless you plan to install stock cabinets yourself (which can be incredibly challenging and leave you frustrated and spending more money as a result), you will need to rely on a skilled cabinet installation team for help. Working with a luxury installation team will result in a higher labor cost because the entire process, including installation, is fully customized to your liking.
Financing Your Kitchen Remodel
If you are planning on moving forward with your kitchen remodel, or even if it’s just a new set of cabinets, you might want to consider financing. The good news is, there are a wide variety of options out there ranging from your standard home equity loan to one of the many construction loans available. While many of these options will work, it is best to take the time to find which one is best for you. If you’d like to read more on how to finance your kitchen remodel, check out our blog post covering everything you need to know.
Bring Your Vision to Life With Completely Custom Cabinets
Installing new kitchen cabinets is an investment, but it’s an investment that pays off. Not only will new cabinets increase your home value, but they’ll increase the value of your day-to-day life. You’ll feel more inspired to make healthy, home cooked meals, bake treats with your kids, and host fun gatherings with your friends. And who can put a price on memories like that?
You deserve a kitchen that truly matches your personality and lifestyle— not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all design.
Work with the knowledgeable team at Puustelli and experience the benefits of eco-luxury Scandinavian kitchen cabinets.
Contact us today to set up a complimentary consultation and schedule a time to visit our Edina showroom!