Our ultimate FAQ guide to beautiful custom kitchen cabinets answers the questions homeowners ask most when planning a kitchen renovation. If you’ve been wondering what custom really means, what to expect, or how to choose the best options for your home, this guide is for you.
Our Ultimate FAQ Guide to Beautiful Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Planning a kitchen renovation takes time, money, and trust. You deserve clear answers before you make decisions. These FAQs help you feel prepared and confident as you design a space that works beautifully for your life.
What does “custom kitchen cabinets” actually mean?
When you hear “custom,” it means your cabinets are built specifically for your kitchen layout and your design choices. They’re made to fit your space exactly, not pulled from pre-made sizes in stock. You can choose the materials, door style, finish, and storage features.
Custom kitchen cabinets are different from stock and semi-custom cabinets because there are no set standard box size or configuration. Cabinet boxes can be made to a range of increments in between set minimum and maximum size limits. Every piece is designed to work for your space.
The kitchen is made by piecing together each cabinet box, toe kick, panel, organizer, and moulding separately. This is done by an experienced and educated kitchen designer.
Are custom kitchen cabinets worth it?
Yes. If you value a kitchen that looks personal, functions intuitively, and feels like it belongs in your home. Custom cabinets allow you to make the most of your space and add thoughtful details, like hidden storage, accessibility functions, a pet station, etc.
Homeowners often say they’re worth the higher price because they last longer, fit better, and create a kitchen they truly enjoy.
How much do custom kitchen cabinets cost?
Costs vary based on the size of your kitchen, the wood species you choose, the finish, and the interior features you add. As a very general starting point, you can expect custom kitchen cabinets to cost $20,000-$30,000 and up, but the exact number depends entirely on your decisions.
If budget is a concern, talk to your designer about what matters most to you. You can often save by simplifying some choices or blending budget-friendly materials with product at a higher price point.
How long do custom cabinets take?
Custom kitchen cabinets take longer than stock because they’re built to order. Most lead times for manufacturers are between 6 to 12 weeks from the time your design is finalized and the order is sent to production.
The average kitchen takes 11 months from when you decide you want a new kitchen to the actual installation.
This accounts for your trips to the design center, decision making, taking measurements of your home, going back and forth on design choices, finalizing the design, and signing off on your order. Then the production, shipment, and installation of your custom kitchen cabinets. Here’s a breakdown of how long it takes to make a custom kitchen.
What’s the best wood for custom kitchen cabinets?
All the hardwoods we work with: alder, cherry, walnut, maple, and oak, are durable and beautiful choices.
Maple and oak are strong and have visible grain that helps hide wear over time. Walnut and cherry bring warmth and elegance, while alder offers a softer, more relaxed look. High-density fiberboard (HDF) is also a strong, stable choice for painted doors.
What finish holds up best?
If you want your kitchen to stay looking good for years, a professionally applied finish is your best bet. It protects your cabinets from moisture, spills, and daily wear.
Painted finishes are timeless and popular, while stained wood finishes let the grain show through. Both are durable when properly finished, so it comes down to your style.
What style of custom kitchen cabinets is most popular?
Right now, the most popular color choice is a mix of white and wood cabinets. Many choose painted white perimeter cabinets with a stained wood island, or wood lowers with white uppers. It’s a combination that feels fresh but still has classic elements.
How can custom cabinets make better use of space?
Custom kitchen cabinets are designed to fit your space perfectly, which means no random cabinets to fill space, or drawers at measurements that may or may not make sense.
You can add features like pull-out pantries, spice drawers, tray dividers, and hidden trash bins to keep everything organized and accessible.
Custom means creating organization and space for your daily routines, not hoping that a standard kitchen with storage will function for you.
Imagine buying a new kitchen and realizing the only cabinet that fits your large soup pot (that you use weekly) is above the fridge. A custom kitchen could have created a deep cabinet to fit that daily item right next to your stove.
Do custom kitchen cabinets increase home value?
Yes. Kitchens with beautiful, well-built custom cabinets are one of the top features buyers look for. Even if you’re not planning to sell soon, knowing that you’ve invested in lasting quality makes your home more enjoyable for you and more valuable for potential buyers in the future.
Can I save money on custom cabinets?
You can absolutely keep your custom kitchen project within a smaller budget. Choosing a more affordable wood species, simplifying the door style, or skipping specialty interior accessories can lower the total without sacrificing quality.
Talk to your designer about where you want to splurge and where you’re comfortable saving.
Planning a remodel?
It’s time for your kitchen to go beyond the daydream. Start planning with this free guide!
How are custom cabinets installed?
Once your cabinets are built, they’re delivered and installed by professionals. The process can take a few days to a week, depending on the size and complexity of your kitchen.
You don’t need to worry about measurements or fitting things yourself. Your installer handles everything to make sure it looks and works beautifully.
Here’s a quick guide on how our custom kitchen cabinets are installed.
Do I need to hire a kitchen designer?
For our product, working with a designer is the only way to get custom Decor Cabinets. Why? It’s how you’ll get a kitchen made to a high custom standard.
Designing and ordering cabinets involves many variables, including precise measurements down to the decimal, navigating ordering platforms, making aesthetic choices, and planning interior space, all of which are essential in a custom kitchen design.
A designer helps you think through every detail, avoid mistakes, and get the most from your investment. They also make the process smoother by coordinating your choices, working with trades and manufacturers, all while keeping the project moving forward.
If you don’t want to hire a kitchen designer, you probably want a RTA, DIY, or semi-custom kitchen.
Where can I buy custom kitchen cabinets?
The best place to buy is through a design center or an independent kitchen designer. They’ll guide you through all your options, help you design the perfect layout, and handle the details so your cabinets fit your space beautifully. You can find an authorized Decor Cabinets design center here.
How do I care for custom kitchen cabinets?
Caring for your cabinets is simple. Wipe spills quickly with a soft, damp cloth and dry right away. Avoid harsh cleaners. Occasionally dust the surfaces and check that hinges and hardware stay tight.
With normal care, your custom cabinets will last for decades.
Are HDF or plywood good choices?
Absolutely. Plywood is strong, stable, and ideal for cabinet boxes because it stays square and solid for years. HDF is perfect for painted doors because it’s smooth and consistent, with no wood grain showing through. Both are solid choices, especially when you’re working with a reputable cabinet manufacturer.
Just because these materials are not solid wood, doesn’t make them any less quality. Each material is suited for its purpose. Solid wood for door fronts, MDF for cabinet boxes, HDF for painted doors, maple or melamine for drawer boxes, etc.
Are inset cabinets better than overlay?
Not necessarily. Especially if you’re looking for a sleek, modern kitchen. Inset doors are beautiful but tend to feel more traditional and cost a little more. Frameless, full-overlay European-style cabinets are much more popular now because they maximize space, give you more storage, and look clean and contemporary. In most Canadian homes, frameless is the way to go.
What hardware works best for custom kitchen cabinets?
This is a question for your designer, because the hardware on the outside of your cabinet will need to match the cabinet itself, but also ideally match your light fixtures, faucet, flooring, paint color, etc. It all works together to create a truly custom space.
Is it cheaper to refinish existing cabinets?
Refinishing does cost less upfront, but you’re stuck with the same dated layout and bulky frames. If you want your kitchen to feel bigger, cleaner, and more functional, invest in custom, frameless, European-style cabinets made in Canada. The difference in how much storage you get and how your kitchen looks every day is hard to beat.
Why should I choose a Canadian cabinet maker?
Choosing a Canadian cabinet maker means you’re supporting local jobs, fair workplaces, and a company that gives back to the communities where we live and work.
Decor Cabinets is leading the way in custom cabinet manufacturing, with a innovative blend of German engineering and Canadian craftsmanship.
Here’s how to choose the perfect custom cabinet solutions – including a quality cabinet checklist.
What makes your company different from other cabinet companies?
Our mission is:
To create cabinets people love,
Bring light to the world & the community,
Build life into people’s lives,
And leave behind more than we take.
That mission guides everything from how we treat our team, work with our designers, and even how we give back.
When you choose us, you’re part of that bigger purpose.
