How Custom Kitchen Cabinets Can Enhance the Beauty of Natural Light in Your Kitchen

 Custom Kitchen Cabinets  are one of the most expensive elements in a kitchen remodel, so it's important to spend your money wisely. Fortunately, there are many affordable options from quality brands that offer customizable features. From easy-to-install silhouettes that ship within two days to cabinets built by design experts across the pond, we've rounded up the best cabinet choices on the market.

 Stock, semi-custom and custom

Generally, there are three types of cabinets: stock, semi-custom and custom. The biggest difference is that stock cabinets are ready-to-assemble (RTA) and sold at home centers and some online retailers, like IKEA. They are typically made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and often have plastic fronts and drawer fronts that mimic the look of real wood. They tend to have fewer style and color options than the higher-end semi-custom and custom cabinets.

The J.D. Power kitchen cabinet

When deciding on cabinets, it's critical to pay attention to the construction. Ideally, cabinets should be made of plywood instead of MDF, which is stronger and more durable than particle board. Also, look for recessed hinges, which are more durable than screw-on hinges. Lastly, be sure to choose a brand that passes the J.D. Power kitchen cabinet customer satisfaction survey, which identifies brands with high levels of performance.

Wide variety of colors and styles

The best stock cabinet brands offer a wide variety of colors and styles, including contemporary, traditional, rustic and farmhouse. IKEA is a good place to start for budget-friendly options, but there are also brands that offer more of a traditional aesthetic. One of our favorites is Fabuwood, a relative newcomer that has a 1-million-square-foot production facility in New Jersey and ships RTA cabinets nationwide. Its cabinets have the look of semi-custom, with solid wood door frames around MDF panels and durable factory finishes.

Styles and sizes

Many homeowners find that the standard options offered by stock manufacturers are limited in styles and sizes, but fully custom cabinet manufactures can be cost prohibitive. The best solution may be to purchase a basic cabinet line with modifications that allow you to add unique sizes, styles and specialty features to suit your specific space.

While some manufacturers provide design assistance, others don't. Fortunately, some stand-out semi-custom and Best Custom Kitchen Cabinets  do, such as Wellborn's You Draw It program. This option allows you to create a high-end cabinet layout and order special-size cabinets at a reasonable price.

Flexibility

Another option is Omega, which is part of MasterBrand and offers semi-custom cabinets that can be modified to suit your kitchen at a lower cost than full-custom options. This manufacturer's framed and frameless construction gives you flexibility, while its large selection of styles and configurations makes it suitable for just about any kitchen.

Conclusion

Buying semi-custom or custom cabinets opens the door to more customization options, such as rub through enhancements for a rustic charm and hand-applied glazes for a touch of traditional whimsy. In addition, these brands are usually of a higher quality than their stock and RTA counterparts. This means you'll get a longer warranty and better service in the event of damage or other issues.