5 Unexpected Ways To Save On Your New Kitchen Cabinets

Having new cabinets installed in your kitchen is one of the most impactful ways to update the look and feel of your space. However, cabinet replacement doesn't come cheap. On average, homeowners spend anywhere from $4,000 to $13,000 on new kitchen cabinets, and costs can quickly climb when you opt for add-ons like soft-close drawers and under-cabinet lighting.

The good news? There are plenty of savvy ways to save on your new kitchen cabinets without the end result looking cheap.

Sprinkle in Some Shelving

As you can probably imagine, it's a lot less expensive to build and install open shelves than it is to build and install full cabinets. To save money, then, why not consider replacing even a couple of your existing cabinets with open shelving instead? Not only are open shelves a growing kitchen design trend, but they're a great way to store some of your most-used kitchen items so they're easily accessible.

Select Materials Wisely

If you're buying wood cabinets, the exact species of wood that you choose can make a huge difference in price. If you love the look of cherry cabinets, you can achieve the look of cherry by purchasing and staining a set of oak cabinets instead. 

Choose a Different Door Style

Another area where cabinet costs can fluctuate pretty wildly is in the door style. As you explore door styles at your local showroom, make note of the prices and you'll notice a huge range. For example, while raised-panel cabinets are very trendy right now, they also cost more because of the high demand and the added labor and materials required to create the raised panel. To cut costs, consider a cost-friendly option like Shaker-style or slab-front cabinet doors.

Buy Cabinets Unfinished

Some cabinet makers give you the option to buy your cabinets totally unfinished, leaving the work of painting or staining them up to you. If you have experience with painting and staining, this can be a great way to cut down costs significantly. Just be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on this type of project, as you'll need to apply multiple coats (and a sealer, most likely).

Tackle Your Own Demolition

If your cabinet company has also included the removal of your existing cabinets with your quote, consider telling them that you'll handle your own demo. You might even be able to sell your existing cabinets and have the buyer help you remove them to cut down on your labor.