I’ve shockingly redone 4 kitchens and am planning my 5th. I’ve tried many products, from “small” budget-friendly updates like painting cabinets and changing hardware. I’ve also undertaken full renovations – and with such I’ve spent too much time researching all the available products on the market.

While my first kitchen remodel was back in 2014, trends and looks—and most importantly, my style—have changed since then. Let’s actually talk about cabinets: the cost, the customization, and getting the “in” look you are currently loving.

Let’s start off with the obvious options:

Surface level “refreshes”. This is obviously the MOST budget friendly option. Do not underestimate the power of paint, new hardware, and light fixtures.

If you like your door style – just add paint! I recommend a good quality primer – ALWAYS ALWAYS sanding in between coats and wipe down with a tac cloth. & Cabinet paint. Sherman Williams Emerald is a brand I’ve heard good things about or Valspar’s Cabinet Paint available at Lowes.com

I always will advocate for getting hardware and lighting from places like Wayfair, amazon. They often source from the same warehouses as the luxury brands you know and love. Sometimes, the quality matches as well. That’s not always true. I’d rather save in an area like hardware. You might want to change that again in 5-10 years depending on the change in your style. I prefer to splurge elsewhere like counter tops or specialty cabinets!

The other Budget friendly option is just replaced outdated fronts!

Many companies can simply replace your fronts. This provides a whole new look with a factory finish. Nieu.com Is one place that I’ve heard of!

In-Stock Cabinets

Typically found in big-box retailers aka Homedepot or Lowes these are the most affordable NEW cabinet options.

Both Lowes and Home depot offer both “custom” though I use that word lightly and RTA lines – here we are going to talk about their OG assembled lines.

Your typical options are below:

Unfinished – Cheapest & can paint whatever custom color you are wanting!, White Shaker, Grey, Some Wood tones (Hickory, etc)

The later three are typically the same price point – We have used the White Shaker from Lowes the Arcadia line

Generally I think In-stock cabinets are fine – if that’s what your budget can afford they work! Sure, we all want nice custom cabinets. However, I am someone who falls victim to the champagne taste on a beer budget. That said, you can still get an elevated look. Use trim, crown moulding, or take them all the way to the ceiling. This way, you avoid the custom price tag!

Personally, if you want the white or grey shaker look, the in stock cabinets are the way to go. The cost difference is made up by your time back and a factory finish. If not, I suggest using unfinished cabinets. This is only if you are willing to put in the effort. But you can get beautiful colors options like a rich and moody navy, olive green, or a moody burgundy

+ you can always upgrade by buying soft close hinges.

Back in 2021 we did a COVID renovation with Home Depot’s in-stock line. The unfinished ran us $1600 + paint, and trim.

I am still in love with the Green we went with – a Valspar Paint Color Olive Tree.

RTA Cabinets:

This is what we are aiming for our next and 5th kitchen! We are currently renovating a historic duplex in downtown Charleston – and like most of the country this is a more high scale market. I ,however, do not have a high-scale budget. So we are balancing splurge and saving to get the Champagne look with my beer budget.

There is a wide range of RTA suppliers. The BigBoxes, The RTA Store, and Wholesale Cabinets, and many other suppliers!

Often these non-big box RTA suppliers will have multiple lines and cabinet styles to give you plenty of trendy options to get the look you are wanting for less. Plus side – they also all have dovetail drawer designs. A step up in quality than the In-Stock Cabinets.

We are currently drawing inspiration from multiple looks. Choosing the look we want for our historic home has been the hardest part. Currently, I am loving the white oak island with a sandy, beige colored main cabinets. Not quite as modern as the cabinet to the right. Or I really love the warmth of a deeper wood. The problem is our floors are currently stained a deep brown. We won’t know how they will look when refinished.

What I do know is I hate White cabinets. For me they are impractical and overdone – but they are classic. I just tend to navigate to warm tones more. All that said – All that might have gone out the window when I discovered I can get non-custom pricing for inset cabinets.

YOU READ THAT RIGHT.

There are RTA inset cabinet!!!

Cabinet Select has two Inset RTA cabinets. White and an Espresso Brown. The inset look is currently corned in the Custom Market which I dive into below – these however are the same look for a fraction of a cost!

This particular line – understandably, runs higher than some of the other RTA’s available. That is still however less than custom so if your budget allows it and you like the inset look. These are a great option.

Looking at this inspo – I think I could get over my fear of White & Use the brown for the island or the “butlers panty” AKA also our laundry room off the kitchen.

Our Kitchen is 170″ by 172″ – We are wanting minimal upper cabinets – but 3 walls of lowers + an Island. It’s a healthy amount of cabinets – roughly 14 depending on design. The Cabinet Select Insets right now are ringing in in the high 5K.

Custom:

Now this is a type that maybe one day I will use – but not for kitchen #5. There is a variety in the options of “custom” out there. Technically – Lowes and Homedepot have custom and semi-custom options. But I wouldn’t recommend them.

I would suggest getting prices first from local cabinet makers – Amish, and others to see what the cost is. This will give you fully wood boxes, custom designs, sizes, and colors not available elsewhere. This would have also been how you would be that the top of the trend before they are available at the cheaper options (Such as inset or white oak).

That said – One company (Not sponsored) that I would consider is called “Best Brand Cabinets”. Based out of PA they have all types of custom cabinets including Inset. They also let you pick the species of wood, stain or paint color.

Finally – while you can add standard sizing to the cart you can also plug in specific dimensions giving you those custom options.

The same 14 cabinets (inset style and painted/Stained) at best brand are currently running us 13,400K without a promo. Which is quite a bit more – however, for quality custom cabinets, is pretty reasonable.