Any recommendations for a cabinet line for kitchen renovation?

[Anonymous]

I am starting a kitchen renovation and need to choose the cabinets. I have no idea how to choose the cabinet maker. I know I want good value. — something that will last, but I don’t need high end. I also want a pretty basic, shaker style, a classic look. And cost is definitely a concern. Welcome any recommendations or cautions.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Wolf.

[Anonymous]

You may find these helpful:

https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-brand-comparison/

https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/cabinet-reviews-ratings-for-the-top-100-cabinet-brands/

FWIW, I have fully upgraded Kraftmaid cabinets (purchased “on sale” from HD but installed by my GC) from early 2020 that I have been very happy with and that have held up well for almost six years and counting. They are paired with Cambria counters, SubZero/Miele appliances, and quality pulls, so people assume that they are a more expensive brand.

I do not know whether Kraftmaid quality has declined since 2020 (like most other items have). I was very disappointed with Crystal Current cabinets installed in another property in early 2024 (by a different GC who was primarily a cabinet designer/dealer) that cost almost double because the quality seemed lower and there were many mistakes that required multiple replacement orders.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a contractor already? Depending on the type of contractor you’re working with, they may already have a shortlist of cabinet suppliers they prefer as they work with a specific kitchen design company. Some contractors have a kitchen designer in house. Other contractors will just install the cabinets you source. You really should have a kitchen designer involved somehow and you really should see the cabinets in person.

The mainline links the PP provided were helpful for us too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may find these helpful:

https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-brand-comparison/

https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/cabinet-reviews-ratings-for-the-top-100-cabinet-brands/

FWIW, I have fully upgraded Kraftmaid cabinets (purchased “on sale” from HD but installed by my GC) from early 2020 that I have been very happy with and that have held up well for almost six years and counting. They are paired with Cambria counters, SubZero/Miele appliances, and quality pulls, so people assume that they are a more expensive brand.

I do not know whether Kraftmaid quality has declined since 2020 (like most other items have). I was very disappointed with Crystal Current cabinets installed in another property in early 2024 (by a different GC who was primarily a cabinet designer/dealer) that cost almost double because the quality seemed lower and there were many mistakes that required multiple replacement orders.

We purchased upgraded Kraftmaid cabinets from Lowes last year and had them installed by our GC. We have been very happy with them so far.

[Anonymous]

We wound up doing custom, because we had so many constraints, but when we were looking at ready to assemble, I thought Candlelight had a much higher quality feel, and more colors/flexibility, than any others we saw in that price range. That said, apparently the company was bought out recently, so if you look at Candlelight ask lots of questions, and be 100% sure that what you see is what you'll get.

[Anonymous]

Low's Diamond line full wood.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone bought the Costco kitchen cabinets?

[Anonymous]

In what is now a $2.15m house we used ikea cabinets. Quality is very good (apparently they are made in Italy) and we liked the doors we chose.

Downside is less flexibility (no custom sizes) but six years in they still look brand new.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Lots of good information and advice here. To answer a pp: I don’t have a contractor yet, but do have an architect. I am in good shape on kitchen design, but the architect thinks I should choose my cabinet line before getting bids from contractors. Will study the information shared in more detail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Lots of good information and advice here. To answer a pp: I don’t have a contractor yet, but do have an architect. I am in good shape on kitchen design, but the architect thinks I should choose my cabinet line before getting bids from contractors. Will study the information shared in more detail.

Why an architect? Are you doing a lot of restructuring?

Does your kitchen or your wants require custom cabinetry?

Are you looking for painted or stained cabinets?

[Anonymous]

I haven’t been very happy with the Kraftmaid I got from Lowe’s in 2017. I upgraded the boxes to plywood and got white painted Shaker doors. I ordered finished sides (instead of side panels) and the side finish is not even painted but is just an applied foil finish. The paint on the doors also chips easily. If you choose Kraftmaid look at the details of what you are buying carefully.

[Anonymous]

We have Brighton cabinets we got through Cabinet Discounters. Remodeled five years ago and very happy with them. They are semi-custom and we paid on average $1k/cabinet.

[Anonymous]

Ikea would be your best bet here. Far far better quality than anything else in the bottom half of the price point - quality more like top 20% of cabinets. And price in the bottom 20%. People make a big stink about the non customization, but for 95% of kitchens it works without any trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ikea would be your best bet here. Far far better quality than anything else in the bottom half of the price point - quality more like top 20% of cabinets. And price in the bottom 20%. People make a big stink about the non customization, but for 95% of kitchens it works without any trouble.

+1
Ikea cabinets are great but can be a pain to install. I don't even want to know how many days I spent making adjustments to the rail with shims so that the cabinets would line up. The rail would be perfectly level and flat, and for some unknown reason, one cabinet would be too high, crooked not plumb, etc. Paying 3k for install would have been money well spent!