Cheap Cabinets

Buying cheap cabinets for your kitchen can mean having a new kitchen NOW!

Consider all the possibilities - shop around! What are you getting for the money? Will cabinets of lesser quality work for your situation?

I went to my local stores in Florida and got the prices on this page...cheap cabinet prices may differ where you live.

UNFINISHED CABINETS

Check with your local home center. Lowe's and Home Depot both carry inexpensive cabinets by Kitchen Classics with unfinished oak face frames, doors and drawer fronts.
They come fully assembled, though you'll have to stain or paint them. The interior is finished in a wood-look laminate. Limited sizes available.
KITCHEN CLASSICS 36" unfinished sink base = $127
You can order unfinished cheap cabinets online, but shipping costs may be steep - though I've seen some that offer free shipping if you spend over a certain amount.
Unfinished furniture stores sometimes carry affordable cabinets for kitchens. With all wood construction, they'll cost more than those with just unfinished fronts.

SELF ASSEMBLY CABINETS

IKEA is a creative line of cabinets and everything to go with, and the whole kit and kaboodle is self-assembly. I've never put anything together from Ikea but I understand it can be a real challenge.
Lowe's stores stock inexpensive cabinets by Kitchen Classics that you have to assemble. These have plywood construction, better than the pressboard used in most low-cost cabinets. Available in limited basic sizes.

KITCHEN CLASSICS self-assembly 36" sink base - white (or mid-tone wood finish)= $134

BUDGET CABINETS

Home centers carry lines of pre-assembled inexpensive cabinets - colors and sizes are limited, but for the money they look great. And they're available now, no waiting for an order to come in.
Lowe's "Kitchen Classics" is pressboard construction, wood face frames, doors and drawer fronts. Interiors are finished in easy-clean laminate.
KITCHEN CLASSICS 36" sink base - white = $169

NAME BRAND CABINETS FOR LESS

Ask your home center which name brand collection they sell has the least expensive cabinets. This line may work for your budget.
If a name brand line offers different construction "grades," the lower or "standard" grade costs up to 20% less than all-wood construction.

Avoid specialty cabinets and go with the basics you need.
Watch for your favorite store's credit card offers with discounts and "6 months same as cash."

USED CABINETS

Sometimes you can find people getting rid of kitchen cabinets in preparation for a remodel...Craig's List, newspaper ads, word-of-mouth. Sometimes these are free!

Beware of people charging a lot for their old cabinets. By the time you get them the cabs may be scratched or damaged from the demolition. Don't pay till you've seen exactly what you're getting and its condition.
Used cabinets from an architectural salvage or "used stuff" type store are worth checking out...you might want to visit weekly or leave your name for them to call if they get in something great.
When buying used, you usually have to buy the whole lot, whether or not you need them all. And sizes may not be the right ones for your kitchen. Helps to take along a math whiz kid of any age - and your kitchen measurement requirements!
You'll need a place to store cabinets you buy this way, so start clearing out the garage now! NOTE: Don't store cabinets in areas of humidity or extreme temperatures.

Image of cheap cabinets at Habitat for Humanity

Here's my local Habitat for Humanity REStore in Sarasota, FL.

The cabs on this visit ranged from low to very high quality.

Image of cheap cabinets for sale at Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity has used cabinets, cabinet doors, appliances, European hinges, lighting, etc. A friend of mine bought a $5 stainless sink there, cleaned it up with Barkeeper's Friend, and the thing looks like new!

You may be surprised that used cheap cabinets from charity stores aren't so cheap they're almost free - that was my first reaction, anyway. Then it hit me - oh yeah! They're raising money for their charity!

OTHER OPTIONS:

Hang open shelving instead of wall cabinets. Shelving everywhere may not be the look you want, but you can skip a wall cabinet in just one area and put everyday dishes and glassware there...they won't have time to collect dust.
Make your own cabinetry instead of buying cheap cabinets. If you or your mate have woodworking skills, there are detailed plans out there for DIY kitchen cabinets. WARNING: Not all plans are accurate! Buy from a name you know.
Make an easy version of kitchen base cabinets. If you can handle basic woodworking, create deep shelving, a simple face frame and supports. Use curtains or baskets rather than doors and drawers.
Refinish your old cabinets! If you're less than thrilled with the quality of new cheap cabinets, this may be the answer you're looking for! Check out How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets - wood or laminate!
If your kitchen layout allows and it fits your style, use a hutch or other piece of furniture you already have (or one from a used or unfinished furniture store). A coat of paint and you're on your way!
Looking for an affordable pantry cabinet? Check your home center's closet storage and garage storage aisles for decent storage pieces priced for less than those around the corner in the kitchen department!

Move Your Cabinets

How to Refinish Kitchen Cabinets

Tiling Countertops

Cheap Floors

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

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SBI!