Kitchen cabinets do more than hold your snacks and hide your Crate & Barrel impulse buys — they make or break a kitchen aesthetic. 

Cabinetry takes up a huge amount of visual space, so the style, finish, and material matters. The best kitchen cabinets can make a hallway-sized kitchenette feel open or transform a chef’s kitchen into a warm and intimate space. 

With enough options to give you cabinet fever, choosing the right cabinetry is as hard as installing it. In this guide, we’ve rounded up different types of kitchen cabinets, essential features, and the best brands to add to your virtual shopping cart. 

Types of kitchen cabinets and their quality grades

Great cabinetry doesn’t boil down to pure aesthetics. Quality, price point, and customization levels vary, from ready-made installs to fully tailored designs. 

Here’s how the most common types of kitchen cabinets measure up. 

Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets

RTA cabinets arrive flat-packed and require assembly before installation. They’re ideal for budget DIYers who prioritize affordability over design flexibility. 

Quality grade: Budget to mid-range

Pros: 

• Lower cost, ideal for budget-conscious renovations

• Widely available

Cons:

• Limited variety of sizes, styles, and materials

• Quality can vary — check the fine print material details

• Assembly can be time-consuming and confusing

Stock cabinets

These pre-manufactured, mass-produced cabinet sets are sold in standard sizes. They tend to be the most affordable kitchen cabinet option, readily available online or at your local big box retailer. 

Quality grade: Budget to mid-range

Pros: 

• Budget-friendly and widely available

• Quick installation 

• Often in stock or with short lead times

• Decent durability for mid-range options

Cons: 

• Limited cabinet styles, finishes, and materials

• Lower-end options may use materials that reduce longevity, like particle board

• Less customization for unique kitchen layouts

Semi-custom cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets offer more flexibility than stock cabinets. They come in a variety of cabinet styles, colors, and materials, with options for modifications like finishes and drawer sizes. For mid-range budgets, semi-custom are the best kitchen cabinets for the money. 

Quality grade: Mid-range to high-end

Pros: 

• Many manufacturers offer installation services

• Design embellishments, a variety of door styles, and storage modifications at a lower price point than fully customized cabinetry

Cons:

• Longer lead time 

• Customization is still limited to a manufacturer’s catalogue

Custom cabinets

One-of-a-kind spaces require the craftsmanship of custom kitchen cabinetry. Customs are built to fit your exact space, style, and storage needs, offering endless design potential and making them ideal for high-end renovations or unique kitchen designs. 

Quality grade: High-end

Pros: 

• Fully customizable, from size and materials to hardware and finishes

• Expert cabinetry designers can maximize storage and functionality for any kitchen layout

• High-quality craftsmanship and durability

Cons: 

• Limited availability and fewer specialized cabinet companies to choose from

• Longer lead times for design and installation

• High price point

5 best kitchen cabinet brands

From mass-produced Nordic design to custom cabinetry from an American mill, here are our five top kitchen cabinet brands. 

1. IKEA

The furniture designer known for Swedish aesthetics (and meatballs) is a go-to for budget-friendly, stylish design. Plus, this one-stop shop has all the dishware, gadgetry, and accessories to pack your new cabinets without leaving the store. 

As far as RTA cabinetry and stock cabinets go, IKEA is on par with other mass retailers. If you don’t want a kitchen that looks like everyone else's, IKEA offers semi-custom cabinets to help you find the ideal size or door front design. 

2. American Woodmark

American Woodmark Corporation is a kitchen cabinet manufacturer with Home Depot and Lowe’s partnerships, catering to varied styles and budgets. American Woodmark (sold at Home Depot) offers semi-custom cabinets, while Shenandoah Cabinetry (sold at Lowe’s) focuses on RTA cabinets. Both brands offer dozens of designs with classic and modern styles, from chic bohemian to minimalist greige. 

While the brands share a focus on design flexibility, kitchen cabinet reviews paint a mixed picture — some praise the variety and affordability, while others report inconsistent finishes and poor durability. 

3. KraftMaid Cabinets

KraftMaid Cabinets is another well-known kitchen cabinet manufacturer specializing in semi-custom cabinetry, available in big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Interior designers can select from 14 different wood types and a variety of door styles, overlays, and finishes to match every client’s dream kitchen aesthetic. 

Skilled carpenters make everything by hand, which may increase lead time. But KraftMaid backs their cabinets with a lifetime warranty, providing peace of mind for durability and craftsmanship. 

4. MasterBrand Cabinets

With several brands in the MasterBrand portfolio, this cabinet manufacturer has options for budget-friendly and high-end renovation projects. Their custom line, Omega, is a solid choice for quality cabinets and fully customizable kitchen designs. Here, you can choose framed cabinets or inset styles and several door types, and everything’s made with real wood. 

While Omega consistently receives solid kitchen cabinet ratings for high-end craftsmanship, some reviewers point out subpar customer service despite the premium price tag. 

5. Wellborn Cabinet

Wellborn Cabinet offers semi-custom cabinets with an extensive selection of door styles, finishes, and cabinet fronts to personalize your kitchen design. This brand is known for their use of real wood and attention to craftsmanship, plus they offer styles like traditional, contemporary, and rustic. 

Although the price point is higher than other RTA and semi-custom options, Wellborn is well-known in the industry for durability, making it a good choice for homeowners looking for premium, long-lasting cabinetry. 

Shop for cabinets today on Onton

Essential features to look for in kitchen cabinets

When shopping for kitchen cabinets, you might come across design features that leave you puzzled. Full versus partial overlay? Framed versus frameless cabinetry? These options aren’t just aesthetic — they affect functionality, durability, and how the cabinets interact with the rest of the space. 

Let’s break down key features to keep in mind when building your perfect kitchen.

Material and build quality

For kitchen cabinets that need to handle lots of wear and tear, solid wood and plywood are your best bets. These materials offer strength and won’t warp or sag like particle board or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). 

While cheaper options might save you a few bucks upfront, they often don’t withstand the daily use of a busy kitchen, making solid wood and plywood a more reliable long-term investment. 

Full vs. partial overlay

Overlay describes how the cabinet doors fit onto the cabinet frame. Full overlay covers the entire frame, giving it a clean, modern appearance. Partial overlay cabinet doors have part of the frame exposed, leaving a gap around the edge that creates a more traditional design. 

Framed vs. frameless cabinetry

Framing refers to the structure of the cabinet. Framed cabinets have a visible frame around the edges of the cabinet box, which adds extra support and a traditional design aesthetic. Frameless cabinets don’t have this frame, giving it a cleaner, modern look and more internal space. 

Functionality and storage

There are several clever features to consider when enhancing functionality and storage. Soft-close hinges prevent doors from slamming, creating a quieter kitchen and reducing wear and tear. Pull-out shelves and lazy Susans bring items within arm’s reach in deep cabinets or corner spaces. And pull-down racks and drawer inserts optimize space, while built-in dividers keep everything organized. 

Find the best kitchen cabinets with Onton

Coastal, maximalist, or shabby chic? Whatever your style, Onton’s user-friendly AI-driven engine lets you reimagine your kitchen with the click of your mouse. Try using a prompt like “sturdy plywood kitchen cabinets in a rusty/auburn color” to find the perfect set. 

Then, use Onton’s Imagine tool to see exactly how your new kitchen cabinets will fit into your unique space. You can even upload an image of your kitchen and add prompts to perfectly customize the final output. 

Dream up your next kitchen with Onton. 

FAQ

How long do kitchen cabinets last? 

With proper care, quality cabinets can last 20–30 years or more. Solid wood and plywood cabinets tend to have the longest lifespan, while cheaper materials like particle board will likely wear out in less than a decade. 

Can I install kitchen cabinets myself? 

Anything is possible, especially if you have DIY experience. However, professional installers will ensure cabinets are level, properly aligned, and securely installed to the wall. 

Are custom cabinets worth the investment? 

Custom cabinets are designed with your specific space in mind, so you can get exactly what you want out of the cabinet size, style, and material. While they can be pricier, durability and functionality make them a worthwhile investment. 

Semi-custom cabinetry can also offer a solid balance of budget and quality, providing some personalization at a lower cost.