All those Instagram reels and posts of people having their kitchen cabinets remodeled are contagious – to say the least!
The urge to do the same is even stronger if your cabinetry is old or falling apart due to wear and tear or moisture issues.
So, if you’re ready to give your kitchen a new look, here are a few things to consider when replacing kitchen cabinets to help you make the most of each dollar you spend.
Factor 1: How Much You Really Use Your Kitchen!
First, you need to ask yourself (and be realistic about the answer): Are you going to use your kitchen frequently, or is your desire to change the cabinets merely born from FOMO?
If you’ll end up ordering takeout after your enthusiasm dies down, you might as well make minimal cabinet changes.
For example, you could work on a surface level, like getting a fresh coat of paint or replacing the hardware, which is closer to a refinish than a remodel.
But if you use your kitchen to make every meal each day, you’ll want to take the replacement job seriously. You’ll need to carefully choose the materials, consider functionality features, and think about all the other aspects of your cabinet design.
Factor 2: Your Budget and How Deep You’re Willing to Go
The size of your budget can set you on the right path regarding the type of materials and hardware to consider for your new cabinets. Since the market is teeming with many ideas to pick from, settling on a budget helps you focus your search.
Kitchen design studios can give you a hand in this area, ensuring you find a middle ground between your needs and what your budget allows.
To give you a general idea, below are the estimated costs of getting a kitchen cabinet replacement across different upgrade levels. The following numbers can go higher or lower after factoring in labor costs, material type, and cabinet dimensions.
| Level of remodeling | Price |
| Superficial (repainting) | $400–$1,500 |
| Cabinet refacing or resurfacing (keeping the framework while replacing the drawer fronts, doors, and hardware) | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Only replacing lower cabinets (works nicely if you want to change the countertop, too) | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Replacing upper and lower cabinets | $20,000–$30,000 (or more if your kitchen is spacious) |
Don’t forget that tackling this as a DIY project will lower the costs significantly, so consider this option, too.
Repainting or refacing your cabinets can be easier to do yourself, and while replacing them entirely may be a challenge, seasoned DIYers may be ready to take up the task.
Factor 3: Custom vs. Pre-fabricated Cabinets
This factor has a lot to do with your budget, too, as well as your use. If you’re unsure whether you should go for custom or stock cabinets, ask yourself:
- Do you want to customize every corner of your kitchen to your specific needs or do you just want a space where you can occasionally cook a homemade meal?
- Do you need specially designed storage units, like cookware drawers and spice racks?
- Will your budget accommodate custom cabinets?
- Does your kitchen have an irregular shape, tight corners, or odd angles that require custom-made cabinets?
Remember that a third option falls in between, which is semi-custom cabinetry. It comes in standard sizes and designs, like stock varieties, but offers customization regarding hardware, finishes, etc.
| Cabinet type | Overall cost per linear foot |
| Pre-fabricated | $100–$300 |
| Semi-custom | $150–$670 |
| Custom | $470–$1,230 |
Factor 4: Style, Color, and Material
Let’s not forget about aesthetics, which are an important part of your cabinet refurbishment journey.
First, you’ll have to choose a cabinet style that matches your interior space so that the overall kitchen design fits seamlessly in your home.
If you don’t already have one in mind, check out this list of kitchen style ideas, from mid-century and industrial to cottage-style or Scandinavian.
The second step comes naturally since whatever kitchen style you settle on has a distinctive color scheme. From that palette, you can pick the color of your cabinets as you see fit.
Third, research cabinet materials and finishes to find one that’s both budget-friendly and durable enough to match your use. Some of the most popular kitchen cabinet materials are:
| Material | Average cost |
| Natural wood | $5,000–$25,000 |
| Laminate | $4,000–$15,000 |
| Metal | $20,000–$38,000 |
| Wood veneer | $2,000–$15,000 |
| Acrylic | $5,000–$20,000 |
Factor 5: Functionality Features
You’ll want to be involved with the inner parts of your cabinets, not just the outer layer that makes your kitchen look fabulous!
Storage options are what you should mostly focus on, so make sure your cabinets are designed carefully according to what you’ll be storing in them. Think about the cabinets’ preferred dimensions, how they’re divided, and any quirky features you may include.
For example, you can request deep drawers for pots, rotating racks for inaccessible corners (also called a lazy Susan!), or cutlery trays.
Some other cabinet accessories that home chefs swear have made their time in the kitchen easier include:
- Tray dividers
- Utensil pullouts
- Spice rack pullouts
- Blind corner pullouts
- Full-extension rollouts
- Under-sink cleaning storage
Factor 6: Open Shelving vs. Closed Cabinetry
One final thing to consider when replacing kitchen cabinets is whether you want the units to be closed or open. Closed cabinets will cost more, but they’re more practical since you won’t have to worry about having your stuff always on display.
Open shelving may look more stylish if you do it right, not to mention it’s more affordable. Plus, this option can make your kitchen appear spacious, making it a good idea for smaller kitchens.
So, think about how you want the final results to appear and what mood you’d like to set in your kitchen.
Want our advice? A bit of both will do the trick, leaving you with areas where you can arrange your decorative plate collection and others to hide the less appealing appliances!
Looking To Replace Cabinets Now?
If you want to replace your kitchen cabinets or give your kitchen a complete makeover, H&C Construction is the best kitchen remodeler in the MD, VA, and DC area.
You can contact the H&C team with any questions or to get a no-obligation estimate on your project.