What Makes Kitchen Cabinets Look Expensive?

Choosing new cabinets for your kitchen is one of the most important steps in the renovation process. The kitchen's aesthetic can be drastically altered by the cabinets installed in it. The abundance of choices, however, can make it difficult to zero in on the best solutions.

To a large extent, kitchen cabinets are responsible for the room's final look and feel. They do double duty as a decorative accent and storage solution. For this reason, both homeowners and interior decorators are consistently seeking out novel approaches to elevating the perceived value of standard kitchen cabinetry.

What, though, gives a kitchen cabinet its high-end appearance? How about the wood itself, the finish, or the fittings? Here, we'll take a closer look at what makes a difference when it comes to kitchen cabinet quality.

Importance Of Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchens are the hub of the home, where many hours are spent each day cooking, socialising, and eating. Most people, whether they own their home or rent, would love to have a kitchen that serves their needs and looks nice at the same time. It's not so much about kitchens' superficial appearances as it is about how smart design decisions can completely alter the room's ambience. Because of how the design of your kitchen affects every aspect of its use, this also includes its function.

Organization And Storage

In addition to their most obvious function, displaying items, cabinets also provide useful hidden storage. Mounted on walls rather than standing on their own, they make efficient use of dead space like that found under your stove and countertops. This provides a great deal of space without making anything appear crowded.

More non-perishable items, like spices, utensils, dishes, and jars, can be stored in cabinets with more than one shelf. Systematisation and Keeping Drawers are optional additions to cabinets that provide even more storage. How you tailor and organise them is key. Having cabinets in your kitchen can help you organise your space and make cleanup a breeze.

Aesthetics

Custom kitchen cabinets, and others like them, can completely change the look of your kitchen. Cabinet veneers and new cabinet doors can make a dramatic improvement even if you're not doing any major remodelling. To achieve a chic, contemporary look with minimal effort, just swap out your old, creaky wooden cabinet doors for sleek metal ones.

The kitchen cabinets are one of the most used parts of the kitchen and should be renovated first. Invest in the correct cabinet, both within and outwardly, and don't be afraid to try out different methods for dealing with your budget, even if it's as basic as having custom veneers for the exterior and dividers for the inside.

Quality

The durability of your cabinets is directly related to their build quality. Remember that renovation and replacement are not like buying a pair of cheap shoes, and resist the urge to save money by cutting corners. Kitchen cabinets, on the other hand, are meant to be used repeatedly and for many years, while shoes might only be worn a handful of times before being discarded. Avoid the temptation to settle for a quick fix when it comes to design.

Factors That Affect The Price Of Cabinets

Stock Vs Semi-Custom Lines

Products in the stock line are mass-produced in a high-output factory setting, most often in another country. The colour palette and design options for these cabinets are capped at three inches. There is no way to customise the look of your cabinets by combining different door styles and colours. 

If you're renovating your kitchen and can't decide between custom and semi-custom cabinets, reading up on the differences between the two will help you make the best decision. If you can live with a lower quality product, shorter warranty, and less design flexibility, stock cabinets can save you about half the money of semi-custom cabinets.

Higher quality and a higher price tag come with semi-custom lines. The number of available hues is five to ten times that of standard lines. The cabinet sizes and styles can be altered to your liking, and in some cases, to the nearest 1/8 of an inch.

Particle Board Boxes Vs All-Plywood Box Construction

The cost can vary by as much as 15% depending on the type of cabinet box you choose. The particle board's bad rep stems from the fact that it absorbs water. There's more room for warping and bending than there is with plywood because of this. However, for some shoppers looking to cut costs, it can be a great choice.

Wood is typically the best choice for both framed and frameless cabinets, but it is also the most expensive option for cabinet boxes. The veneer on the face of a typical plywood panel is of higher quality than the veneers used in the panel's core. It's a composite material made by laminating sheets of wood fibre with resin. Layers of real wood are glued together crosswise, vertically, diagonally, and at right angles to the grain. This results in cabinets that are more resistant to moisture and wear for a longer period of time. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, with price being a major one.

Painted Cabinets Vs Stained Cabinets

Cabinets that have been painted in any colour will cost about 10-15% more than their stained counterparts. This is because of the final polish. Painting cabinets requires more time and effort than applying a stain would.

Cabinets that have been stained are more resilient and can be repaired with minimal effort because wood-grain finishes conceal imperfections like scratches and scuffs better than solid colours of paint. In 2022, kitchen cabinets with a combination of paint and wood stain will be all the rage. Photos on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram provide a wealth of fresh inspiration for cabinet layouts.

HDF Doors Vs Wood Doors

High-density fibreboard doors are frequently used for painted cabinetry because of their smooth surface. This highlights any flaws in the wood's natural finish. Cabinet IQ recommends this material for painted cabinet doors because of its exceptionally smooth finish, which is ideal for painting.

The cost of an HDF door is about 12% less than that of a solid wood door. Wood doors are popular for stained cabinets because the stain is see-through and highlights the wood's natural grains.

Door Style

For your kitchen, you have many options for cabinet styles to choose from. The cost of doors typically decreases as their complexity increases. Complex door styles, such as raised panels, can add 20% or more to the price. Choosing a more modern door style, such as a shaker or slab front door, can help you save money on cabinets.

Of course, the more visually appealing options come at a higher price tag, but perhaps a more elaborate door design would give the room a more upscale vibe and make residents happier in the long run.

Cabinet Accessories

Internal kitchen cabinet accessories are what will set your kitchen apart from the norm. The exterior appearance of your cabinets is only the beginning when it comes to planning and budgeting for your kitchen remodel.

People tend to agree on a small handful of accessories as "essentials." They may have a cabinet for small appliances, a spice rack by the stove, and a garbage can on wheels by the sink.

Drawers VS Doors

Drawers are more difficult and expensive to build. That's why you'll pay an extra $60-$100 for doors plus drawer base cabinets instead of drawer base cabinets of the same width. They need more time and effort to complete and are more complicated.

Cabinet Trim Add-Ons

The basic cabinet, complete with doors and drawers, can be embellished with a variety of accessories. Crown moulding is installed above the upper cabinets, a light rail is installed below the upper cabinets, and decorative side panels are installed on the outside of the cabinets.

Kitchen upgrades can range from as little as 5% to as much as 25% of the total project cost, so plan accordingly. When the project is finished, these nuances will stand out. Certain details determine whether a kitchen appears high-end or standard.

Glass Cabinets

Glass door fronts are commonly used to achieve a more elegant and expensive appearance. However, there is a cost associated with them. In the semi-custom cabinet lines, you can choose from a wide variety of glass cabinet options, including clear, frosted, rain, and other glass patterns. The cost of a glass cabinet is typically 30 per cent higher than that of a regular cabinet.

This premium is not overly burdensome on the wallet when employed sparingly as decorative accents. It's also a great way to show off your prized tableware, glassware, and heirlooms that you keep in the kitchen.

Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet hardware is like the crown jewels of the unit. The cost varies widely, much like that of jewellery. Knobs with one hole or handles with two holes are available as hardware choices. Since most workers charge by the hole, installing cabinet knobs is more cost-effective. A knob might set you back $1.50, while a big handle might set you back $75. Kitchen renovation costs will increase in proportion to the size of the hardware you choose. Most kitchens have around 75 available hardware placements. Your kitchen cabinet hardware selection could add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your total cost, depending on its size and quality.

How To Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive

Marble Magic

Marble countertops are a must-have for any modern home. It gives the impression of high quality and price. Rather than completely remodelling your kitchen by ripping out the counters and replacing them with marble, consider incorporating subtle touches of the material instead. A prefabricated marble slab can be used to make a compact cooking/baking space. Make a statement with a marble tile backsplash, or use them to update a section of your floor.

Have Some Highlights

A focal point can be the one thing in your kitchen that everyone notices and comments on. Given its prominence, a showpiece sink has the potential to transform your cooking space. While the upfront cost of a copper or stone sink may be higher than that of a standard sink, it may be all that's needed to give the impression of a higher-end kitchen.

Lavish Lighting

While lighting is often the first thing people notice when they enter a room, it is often the most neglected when designing a kitchen. For a more spacious feel, try suspending lights at a low height over kitchen islands and dining tables. Lighting globes are a simple solution for a budget-friendly upgrade that works well with a wide variety of decor styles. Putting in a dimmer switch is another low-cost option for giving the impression of a high-end kitchen. If you want to impress your dinner guests, try dimming the lights.

Steep Serving

The cost of your kitchen is greatly affected by the utensils and glasses you use. Purchase new cutlery and serve ware. Having nice stemware can really set you apart. Use the opportunity to upgrade your stemware without breaking the bank. Stemware displayed in a glass cabinet, on an open cabinet, or in a cabinet with a glass door adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the kitchen.

Costly Colours

A new coat of paint can do wonders for your kitchen's appearance. Creams and beiges can give the impression of luxury and sophistication in the kitchen. Modern kitchens can benefit from the use of dark colours like black and grey to create an opulent and sophisticated atmosphere. 

White walls are great for creating the illusion of more space, and adding wood or metal accents is a great way to detract from the colour. Painting just the cabinets can make a big difference if you don't want to repaint the entire kitchen. You can increase your kitchen's resale value by adding a feature wall with either textured paint or wallpaper.

Conclusion

When redecorating a kitchen, selecting new cabinets is crucial since they set the tone for the entire space. It's not simply the quality of the wood, the sheen, or the hardware of a kitchen cabinet that gives it an air of opulence. Kitchen cabinets are crucial because they conceal potentially messy ingredients and add visual interest to the room. Adding veneers and new cabinet doors to your custom kitchen cabinets can completely transform the room. Simply replacing the wooden doors on your cabinets with metal ones can give your space a modern makeover.

One of the most used features of a kitchen is the cabinets, so they should be the first to be updated. Do not sacrifice quality in order to get cost savings. The price of cabinets can vary depending on whether you choose a stock line, a semi-custom line, particle board boxes, or all-plywood boxes. While semi-custom lines offer additional colour and style options, stock cabinets can cut costs by 50 percent. Some thrifty shoppers will find that purchasing particle board boxes is the best option, while others may find that it is the worst option.

Modern homes can't do without marble countertops, which may be utilised for anything from a sleek new kitchen to a stylish new floor. The kitchen can be completely revamped with the addition of a statement sink and some high-end lighting. Kitchen lighting is an often-overlooked but very inexpensive area of improvement during design. Luxury can be conveyed by the use of creams and beiges, as well as more formal serving utensils. The use of white paint on the walls and the addition of dark wood or metal accessories can make a room seem larger. The resale value of a kitchen can be boosted by adding a textured wall as a focal point.Drawers are more difficult and expensive to build. That's why you'll pay an extra $60-$100 for door and drawer base cabinets instead of drawer base cabinets of the same width. They need more time and effort to complete and are more complicated.

Content Summary

• Choosing new cabinets for your kitchen is one of the most important steps in the renovation process.
• The kitchen's aesthetic can be drastically altered by the cabinets installed in it.
• To a large extent, kitchen cabinets are responsible for the room's final look and feel.
• What, though, gives a kitchen cabinet its high-end appearance?
• Here, we'll take a closer look at what makes a difference when it comes to kitchen cabinet quality.
• Having cabinets in your kitchen can help you organise your space and make cleanup a breeze.
• The kitchen cabinets are one of the most used parts of the kitchen and should be renovated first.
• Invest in the correct cabinet, both within and outwardly, and don't be afraid to try out different methods for dealing with your budget, even if it's as basic as having custom veneers for the exterior and dividers for the inside.
• The durability of your cabinets is directly related to their build quality.
• The colour palette and design options for these cabinets are capped at three inches.
• There is no way to customise the look of your cabinets by combining different door styles and colours.
• If you're renovating your kitchen and can't decide between custom and semi-custom cabinets, reading up on the differences between the two will help you make the best decision.
• If you can live with a lower quality product, shorter warranty, and less design flexibility, stock cabinets can save you about half the money of semi-custom cabinets.
• Higher quality and a higher price tag come with semi-custom lines.
• The particle board's bad rep stems from the fact that it absorbs water.
• In 2022, kitchen cabinets with a combination of paint and wood stain will be all the rage.
• The cost of an HDF door is about 12% less than that of a solid wood door.
• For your kitchen, you have many options for cabinet styles to choose from.
• Internal kitchen cabinet accessories are what will set your kitchen apart from the norm.
• The exterior appearance of your cabinets is only the beginning when it comes to planning and budgeting for your kitchen remodel.
• People tend to agree on a small handful of accessories as "essentials."
• The basic cabinet, complete with doors and drawers, can be embellished with a variety of accessories.
• Certain details determine whether a kitchen appears high-end or standard.
• The cost of a glass cabinet is typically 30 per cent higher than that of a regular cabinet.
• Cabinet hardware is like the crown jewels of the unit.
• Knobs with one hole or handles with two holes are available as hardware choices.
• Since most workers charge by the hole, installing cabinet knobs is more cost-effective.
• Kitchen renovation costs will increase in proportion to the size of the hardware you choose.
• Most kitchens have around 75 available hardware placements.
• Your kitchen cabinet hardware selection could add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your total cost, depending on its size and quality.
• Rather than completely remodelling your kitchen by ripping out the counters and replacing them with marble, consider incorporating subtle touches of the material instead.
• A prefabricated marble slab can be used to make a compact cooking/baking space.
• Make a statement with a marble tile backsplash, or use them to update a section of your floor.
• A focal point can be the one thing in your kitchen that everyone notices and comments on.
• Given its prominence, a showpiece sink has the potential to transform your cooking space.
• While the upfront cost of a copper or stone sink may be higher than that of a standard sink, it may be all that's needed to give the impression of a higher-end kitchen.
• For a more spacious feel, try suspending lights at a low height over kitchen islands and dining tables.
• If you want to impress your dinner guests, try dimming the lights.
• The cost of your kitchen is greatly affected by the utensils and glasses you use.
• Purchase new cutlery and serve ware.
• Having nice stemware can really set you apart.
• Use the opportunity to upgrade your stemware without breaking the bank.
• A new coat of paint can do wonders for your kitchen's appearance.
• Creams and beiges can give the impression of luxury and sophistication in the kitchen.
• You can increase your kitchen's resale value by adding a feature wall with either textured paint or wallpaper.