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 quite 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 into your newly remodeled kitchen, keep these factors in mind 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.
Between wood and metal, wood tends to be the favorite due to its versatility. There are numerous types of wood, and each will affect the look and feel of your overall kitchen design. The type of wood will also affect the overall cost of your kitchen remodel. Each type of wood has its own color and grain, though you can also stain wood to get the exact look you want. Woods like oak and maple tend to be lighter in color, while cherry and mahogany have a deeper, 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 in between the two in terms of 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 provide a modern or industrial feel to your kitchen. Keep in mind, however, that stainless steel cabinets can be pricey, although they’re a good choice if you want cabinets that are easily cleaned.
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 in 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 material or be less ornate in its design. Meanwhile, high end hardware is usually made of expensive materials or features an ornate design.
Cabinet hardware tends to last 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, keep in mind the amount of cabinet fixtures you will need to purchase in order to outfit all of your cabinets. The more cabinets you have, the more hardware you will have to 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 even 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 useful if you want 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 cost. Regardless of what features you add, this works as a general rule of thumb to keep in mind.
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 simply provide fewer options to choose from when it comes to the look of your cabinetry. While prefabricated cabinets can seem like the better option despite these limitations in design, 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 these spaces, 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.
For those looking for complete design control over their kitchen cabinets or those who need their cabinets customized to fit their exact kitchen space, custom cabinets are the best choice. Custom cabinets also bring a hint of luxury to your overall design.
Does your kitchen need a remodel? The team at Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling can help you start the process, whether you’re just looking to update the look of your kitchen or completely remodel. 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!
