Why Kitchen Cabinets Cost Much

Why Kitchen Cabinets Cost Much｜Cost‑Effective Cabinet Buying Guide

Cabinetry is, without a doubt, one of the most costly aspects of any kitchen renovation. According to design pros, you can expect cabinetry alone to account for at least 40% of your renovation budget.

That said, new kitchen cabinets don’t have to feel impossible to afford. With careful planning and strategic cost-saving choices, even fully customized cabinetry can come in under budget.

We spoke to three interior designers and cabinetry professionals to learn everything there is to know about buying new cabinetry in 2026—plus where and how to save.

Angela Mason is the founder and principal designer of Mason Design Studio in Lake Stevens, Washington.

Rachel Poe is the founder and principal designer of Rachel Poe Designs in the Seattle area.

Jody Jones is the founder and principal designer of Blue Indigo Designs and Blue Indigo Cabinets, based in Naperville, Illinois.

Why Are Cabinets So Expensive?

In October 2025, a 25% tariff on imported kitchen cabinets, furniture, and vanities took effect, and there is a planned increase to a 30% tariff on these same products in January 2027.1 Manufacturers and installers have responded by increasing prices.

The total price of cabinetry in a renovation has to do with material costs, design, manufacturing, and installation fees, pros say. Even if your cabinets are made in the U.S., features like drawer slides, specialized organizational pullouts can increase your prices Angela Mason, founder and principal designer of Mason Design Studio, adds.

And when it comes to buying cabinets that will last, ultimately, you’re paying for craftsmanship, professional installers say.

“Creating something that will be touched and used every day without falling apart is an art,” designer Rachel Poe says. “Cheap cabinets have janky joinery, half-baked hinges, and faulty finishes.”

How to Lower Your Cabinetry Costs

That said, purchasing fully custom cabinetry is out-of-budget for many homeowners. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to cut costs on a cabinetry remodel, whether you are planning a full gut reno or a little facelift.

Choose Particleboard or MDF

Getting clear on your budget and how much of it will be dedicated to cabinetry is an important first step that will help you determine what cabinet line best suits your project.

“There are three main categories that cabinets fall within: stock, semi-custom, and custom,” Mason says.

Stock cabinets (such as IKEA cabinets) are pre-manufactured in standard sizes, offering affordability—especially if you assemble them yourself—and quick turnaround times. In contrast, semi-custom cabinets offer more sizes, styles, and modification options, while fully custom cabinets are built-to-order, offering unlimited solutions.

As the personalization increases, so does the price tag, with stock cabinetry generally regarded as a lower-end solution made from cost-effective engineered materials like particleboard and MDF.

In contrast, custom cabinetry is considered the best quality and is often crafted from high-quality plywood and solid wood.

Stay Within Standard Sizing

Sticking to standard sizing is a great way to cut costs, regardless of the cabinetry line you choose. (Yes, even custom cabinetry!)

That’s because standard-size cabinets are easier and quicker to manufacture, requiring less customization than solutions that need to be tailor-made specifically for your home, Mason says.

Skip Custom Colors and Stains

Although it might be appealing to go for an exact color-match of a piece of kitchen decor or a trendy color, Mason says creating custom paint or stain formulations for cabinets can increase costs by at least 10%.

Sticking with the manufacturer’s pre-selected stain and paint options is a great way to cut back on unnecessary costs.

Consider Repurposing Existing Cabinetry

Perhaps the best way to cut costs on your cabinetry remodel is to repurpose your existing cabinetry where possible, Jody Jones, founder and principal designer of Blue Indigo Designs, says.

“Adding new door and drawer fronts and working with the existing box cabinets can be a great way to breathe new life into your current space for a fraction of the cost of a full remodel,” she says.

Add Special Features Sparingly

Specialized organizational compartments tailored to your routine can be hard to resist.

Pull-out trash bins, pots and pans drawers, spice racks, appliance garages, double drawers, pull-down shelving, knife block drawer inserts, toe-kick drawers, built-in charging stations—if you can dream it, it can be done—but buyer beware: It will add up.

“I always encourage clients to add these in where they make the most impact: Super Susans, blind corner pullouts, trash pullouts, and spice pullouts," Mason says. "These help utilize every inch of precious kitchen real estate.”

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