The Best Kitchen Cabinet Brands, According to Designers and DIYers

Cabinets can make—and perhaps more often break—your kitchen’s style. That’s why upgrading your cupboards can feel like a momentous and overwhelming decision, especially after realizing there are a smorgasbord of companies to choose from. To help you figure out which are the best kitchen cabinet brands, whether you’re going semi-custom (like IKEA cabinet boxes with Semihandmade fronts) or stock (available for pickup or delivery from hardware stores and chains), we organized our favorites based on recommendations from designers, architects, DIYers, and other pros. Not to mention, as discerning editors, we can tell quality when we see it; writing about kitchens is kind of our thing. Here’s the shoppable lineup, in alphabetical order. 

The Best Kitchen Cabinet Brands

• Boxi by Semihandmade
• Cabinets.Deals
• Cliq Studios
• Diamond Now
• Form Kitchens
• Hampton Bay
• IKEA
• Kemper Cabinets
• Vipp Kitchen

Boxi by Semihandmade

Materials: MDF, laminate | Warranty: 25 years | Price range: $$–$$$$

Why we chose it: From countertops to drawer pulls, consider this your one-stop shop for a complete kitchen overhaul.  

Bespoke without breaking the bank is the name of the game with Semihandmade. For years, Domino editors have seen basic IKEA frames upgraded with the sleek door fronts—you can spot them in spaces as large as Sarah Sherman Samuel’s managing director Sarah Matthews’s Michigan home and as small as DIYer Mallory Fletcher’s former apartment in Brooklyn (where the entire reno took a mere three weeks to finish). But did you know you can buy the entire system in one fell swoop with Boxi? Choose between Shaker, slab, and slim Shaker styles for your lowers, uppers, and more, then easily add on countertops and appliances with partners Caesarstone and Café by GE, as well as luxe drawer pulls and handles by Rejuvenation, plus floating shelves from Shelfology. Psst: Everything is 30% off through May 31.

Cabinets.Deals

Materials: Plywood | Warranty: 1 year | Price range: $–$$$

Why we chose it: You’d never know these can be shipped from Wayfair.  

HIgh-quality cabinetry, without the markup. Cabinets.Deals, based in Houston, cuts out the middleman by procuring and selling cabinets to a wholesaler. Take a page out of designer Athena Calderone’s book (or should we say basement?) and shop the company’s offerings through e-tailer giant Wayfair. While Calderone painted hers for a more bespoke look, plenty of shoppers share they were impressed by how these base cabinets arrived as is. “Great quality” and “super-well-made” more than a few reviewers write.  

Cliq Studios

Materials: Solid wood, plywood | Warranty: 5 years | Price range: $$–$$$

Why we chose it: For RTA, Cliq Studios offers a variety and free design perks.  

“Cliq Studios is not only affordable, it has multiple inserts and sizes available,” shares Evelyn Pierce of Evelyn Pierce Design Studio. “It’s an online source that provides stock and semi-custom cabinets, and the company has its own designers to help you plan.” Whereas basic blueprints require a little imagination, a Cliq Studios designer will walk you through a 3D rendering of your kitchen for a much more real sense of the finished product. Plus the company offers a free quiz to help determine what type of kitchen cabinets may be best suited for your cooking space and personal style, which you can then use to choose from its decent variety of finishes, styles, and colors. 

Diamond Now

Materials: Laminate | Warranty: Limited | Price range: $–$$

Why we chose it: Well reviewed (4,000-plus happy shoppers), these might very well be the biggest bang for your buck.  

An in-house brand from Lowe’s, Diamond Now stands out among the sea of options for its glowing reviews on both its upper and base cabinets. It’s trusted by flippers for being readily available for quick project turnarounds—one reviewer notes their order was ready for pickup in less than 10 minutes—and affordably priced. “We had a small budget, so we tried to find the best cabinets for a low price. We are so happy we found these. Work great and look more expensive than they are!” another writes. Bonus: Lowe’s is running a 10% off promotion on its kitchen cabinets right now. 

Form Kitchens

Materials: MDF, laminate | Warranty: 25 years | Price range: $$–$$$$

Why we chose it: Form and function—there are more than 3,000 customizable organization options.  

Form utilizes a direct-to-seller approach to slash prices on its customizable cabinet sets. The online service originated in Germany in 2018 and arrived Stateside shortly after and has been gaining traction for simplifying the process from conception (hello, photorealistic renderings) to reality down to four steps. It caught our eye for its prioritization of organization. Aside from the stylish exterior, it’s the inside that counts with Form. Pulling open drawers and doors is where the magic happens—you can customize your cutlery trays, pull-out baskets, and more. Going with Form also means your order will be backed by a guarantee that it will arrive by the promised date and fit without a hiccup. It’s why Amanda Jane Jones chose the brand for her home and guesthouse—she could renovate both spaces at once for a seamless result.

Hampton Bay

Materials: Solid wood doors, particleboard interior | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Price range: $–$$

Why we chose it: DIYers’ dream—treat these unfinished cabinets like a blank canvas. 

You may recognize this brand, exclusive to Home Depot, as a maker of ceiling fans, but it’s also well known for its extensive kitchen cabinet offering. If we had to choose, we’d go with the unfinished options—paint, stain, seal—since they are pretty much limitless. They’re also prime for any choice of hardware. One reviewer summarizes this pick perfectly: “Inexpensive and sturdy.”  

IKEA

Materials: Solid wood, particleboard, MDF | Warranty: 5 to 10 years, depending on system | Price range: $–$$$

Why we chose it: After install day, you’d never guess these cabinets arrived flat-packed.

“We love IKEA because of the endless customization,” stresses Dean Turner of Evolution Design + Build. “It’s also a lower-cost option, so you can value-engineer your project by using its cabinet boxes while leveraging your spend to incorporate custom door fronts.” In fact, Domino home tours frequently feature IKEA setups elevated with either Semihandmade, Nieu, Superfront, or Plykea door fronts, handles, pulls, and more to convince guests they went fully custom. And the Swedish retailer’s in-cabinet storage solutions only seem to get better—everything from utensils and pot lids to knives and spices has a designated space. Plus the Kitchen Planner lets you play with the layout of the cabinets and appliances until every last inch of your space is maximized.

Kemper Cabinets

Materials: Wood (maple, hickory, oak, cherry), laminate, MDF | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Price range: $$$–$$$$ 

Why we chose it: A heritage cabinet maker brand. 

“Kemper makes beautiful, durable cabinetry that is easily customizable—it has many options for inserts, sizing, and colors,” offers Laura Hildebrandt of Interiors by LH. “We love to use Kemper cabinets for our projects because they are strong and long-lasting and fit in the client’s budget while still giving a bespoke, luxury look.” Under the MasterBrand Cabinets umbrella—an industry leader since the 1920s—Kemper is known for its specialty finishes, glazes, and paints for hardwood.  

Vipp 

Materials: Metal, wood, glass | Warranty: 2 years | Price range: $$$$

Why we chose it: A modular kitchen that provides a stress-free demo day.

When New York–based writer and editor Spencer Bailey was finally ready to replace his builder-grade kitchen, he was drawn to the “building block” likeness of Vipp; cabinetry that could be inserted like furniture.”= There are two predesigned options to choose from—V1 and V2. Depending on what material and door front style you prefer (a minimalist, lockerlike appearance or fluted wood and glass), you can further customize based on four modules within. The defining difference from other cabinets on the market is the fact that these all arrive on raised legs for an even simpler install. In fact, once everything made it to Bailey’s door, the whole kitchen was complete in a matter of two days. 

More Semi-Custom Cabinets  

Looking for something a little more bespoke than what’s listed above? Your next best bet might be these quasi-custom options. 

• Cabico Cabinetry describes itself as North America’s leading custom cabinetry maker that works through dealers. According to Seth Ballard of Ballard + Mensua Architecture, it “offers a wide selection of kitchen cabinet styles and wood finishes, quality construction that lasts, and the best hardware available. It also isn’t afraid to take on unique details. Plus its lead time is shorter than most cabinet companies: eight to 10 weeks.”
• DeVol’s bespoke kitchens offer a variety of classic to modern English-inflected designs that range in price from $20,000 to $100,000.
• Henrybuilt designs integrated kitchen systems in Seattle, though you can order separate objects including islands, pantries, and shelving. 
• Reform is another modular kitchen provider based out of Copenhagen that curates collections of cabinets by designers and studios, including its own lines like Basis featuring a round, cutout handle.  
• Skipp provides you with access to a library of more than 100 designs and brands, including hard-to-find bespoke vendors to carefully plan and procure everything needed for your kitchen renovation. Note: It doesn’t offer its own cabinets but does partner with Boxi. 
• Very Simple Kitchen is an Italian modular kitchen maker known for its metal systems. You can order either wall or island configurations and customize to your heart’s content with colors, countertops, appliances, backsplashes, and more.

Our Shopping Checklist

Price

Fixr reports that the cost for custom kitchen cabinets ranges from $15,000 to $25,000—and that’s just the average. Depending on the size of your kitchen, as well as the cabinets’ material and finish, custom cabinetry can inch toward $40,000 and in some cases more. We’ll give you a minute to let that sticker shock wear off. 

The good news: Choosing stock or semi-custom kitchen cabinets leaves you with a more digestible price tag and more flexibility in sizing, color, and finishes than you might think. Plus you’ll benefit from a significantly shorter lead time, so you won’t be eating takeout for months on end while your kitchen is a construction zone.

Materials 

We’d wager, if given the choice and budget was not an issue, we’d all go for solid wood kitchen cabinets. And while durable, it’s definitely one of the pricier options on the market. Happy runners-up are engineered, plywood, and MDF (essentially pressurized wood chips)—all feature a blend of wood. The latter, in fact, is what IKEA’s cabinets are mainly made with. And the most popular material you’ll encounter in a rental is likely laminate or particleboard (similar to MDF, but not as dense or strong) cabinets for its seriously low price tag.  

Cabinet Types and Styles 

Doors and drawer fronts come in all sorts of sizes and styles. Do you prefer the traditional look with raised, detailed paneling, or a Shaker style with a simple 2-inch rail frame? Or maybe a super-minimalist all-flat panel (and hold the hardware) is what you’re looking for. If you’re unsure what exactly suits your taste, check out our in-depth guide that’ll walk you through the most common types of kitchen cabinets, including a few newcomers like fluted glass.  

Ask Domino

Q: Instead of replacing my kitchen cabinets, can I just paint them instead? 

Of course! It’s a popular tactic employed by homeowners and renters alike. But before reaching for that bucket of paint, it’s important to first check what kind of cabinets you’re working with. This will impact what sort of prep you’ll need to do—wiping the surface with a grease-cutting cleaner and sanding things down with 100-grit paper or picking out the right primer (more on that right this way). 

Q: What’s the most popular kitchen cabinet style or paint color these days? 

That’s a tough question. In recent years, we’ve seen homes sporting everything from ribbed MDF to unfinished raw plywood. As for paint, neutrals have given way to color, particularly in varying shades of blue and pink, as well as richer reds.   

Q: How can I tell if the cabinets I’m interested in are high quality? 

Like furniture, the biggest indicators of quality cabinetry lie in the craftsmanship. Dovetail drawer joinery, soft-closing hardware, high-shelf weight capacity, durable finish choices, and a long warranty are all great indicators that these aren’t your run-of-the-mill cabinets. 

The Final Word 

At the end of the day, the best kitchen cabinet brand is the one that works for you—whether that’s based on budget, a project timeline, durability and materials, or access to a local dealer.