Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Cabinets

Table of Contents

Section 1:  Anatomy of a Kitchen Cabinet
1.1 Cabinet Types & Construction
1.2 Cabinet Doors and Drawers
1.3 Cabinet Overlay
1.4 Cabinet Hardware
1.5 Cabinet Finishes

Section 2: Kitchen Cabinets Types and Brands
2.1 RTA & Stock Cabinets
2.2 Semi-Custom Cabinets
2.3 Custom Cabinets
2.4 Outdoor Cabinets

Section 3: Kitchen Cabinet Finish Options
3.1 Stains and Paints
3.2 Thermofoils and melamines
3.3 Reconstituted Veneers
3.4 Acrylics
3.5 Metals
3.6 Sheen and finish options

Section 4: Kitchen Cabinet Modifications, Accessories and Options
4.1 What are modifications and accessories?
4.2 Most popular modifications
4.3 How kitchen cabinet modifications relate to cost
4.4 How kitchen cabinet modifications relate to design

Section 5: Kitchen Cabinet Design
5.1 How design impacts kitchen cabinet selection
5.2 How design impacts kitchen cabinet cost
5.3 How design impacts kitchen cabinet installation
5.4 How design can make ordinary kitchen cabinets extraordinary

Section 6: Kitchen Cabinet Installation
6.1 How to install kitchen cabinets (Industry guidelines and documentation
6.2 How the type of kitchen cabinet selected affects installation
6.3 How the right installer can impact the fit and finish of kitchen cabinetry
6.4 How to maintain and clean your kitchen cabinets

Conclusion and Summary on Kitchen Cabinets

Section 1:  Anatomy of a kitchen cabinet

1.1 Cabinet Types and Construction

As you begin your journey for your new kitchen cabinets, you’ll most likely come across three main types: wall cabinets, base cabinets and tall cabinets.  

Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets are mounted to walls, typically at 54 inches above the finished floor, and are usually 12 inches deep unless customized. Their widths and heights vary by brand, offering flexibility for different kitchen designs.

The most common wall cabinet height is 30 inches, resulting in an overall height of 84 inches in an 8-foot kitchen, leaving a 12-inch gap between the cabinets and the ceiling. For a seamless ceiling-to-cabinet look in an 8-foot kitchen, 42-inch-high wall cabinets are a popular choice, though they come at a slightly higher cost.

Taller wall cabinets are available through semi-custom or custom lines and can also be achieved by stacking cabinets of different heights. However, this option increases costs and requires additional components like end panels and skins for a polished, finished appearance.

Base Cabinets

Base cabinets sit on the floor and attach to the wall using hanging rails. While the standard design includes one or two doors with a drawer above, they come in various configurations. Full-height base cabinets feature doors from top to bottom without a drawer, while drawer base cabinets, popular for storage, typically include two to four drawers.

The standard depth for base cabinets is 24 inches, and their overall height is 34½ inches. When paired with a 1½-inch countertop, the total countertop height reaches 36 inches (or 3 feet) from the finished floor. Base cabinets also include a toe kick, a notched area at the bottom front, allowing you to stand comfortably without hitting your feet on the cabinet.During installation, base cabinets must be perfectly square and shimmed to ensure they are level. This precision is crucial for accurate countertop measurement and a smooth installation.

Tall Cabinets

Tall cabinets, also known as pantry or utility cabinets, are an essential component of kitchen storage. Typically measuring 84 or 96 inches in height, they align with the heights of standard wall cabinets. Their standard depth is 24 inches, making them versatile for a variety of uses.

These cabinets can feature tall, open spaces for items like brooms, vacuums, or mops. Alternatively, they may include adjustable shelves or roll-outs, transforming them into convenient pantry storage. Some tall cabinets are designed with openings to accommodate appliances like built-in ovens, microwaves, or warming drawers.

Stock or RTA tall cabinets often come with pre-made openings, but these may require cutting or trimming to fit specific appliance dimensions. In contrast, most semi-custom and all custom tall cabinets are factory-prepared with precise cut-outs and supports, ensuring a cleaner and more straightforward installation.

Cabinet Construction

The construction of a kitchen cabinet directly impacts its quality and durability. Manufacturers use a variety of materials for the cabinet box, but the two primary construction methods are framed and frameless designs. Understanding these methods helps you choose a cabinet that fits your needs and ensures long-lasting performance.

Frameless or European-Style Cabinets

Frameless, or European-style, cabinets feature a simple box design without a front frame. The doors and drawers form the cabinet’s front, providing full coverage and creating minimal spacing between them for a sleek, seamless look.

These cabinets are typically made from furniture board, particle board, or medium-density fiberboard, with plywood upgrades available for added durability. Frameless designs offer a variety of traditional wood and finish options, along with modern textures and veneers. Popular finishes include melamine, high gloss, acrylic, and thermofoil, making frameless cabinets a versatile and stylish choice.

Framed Cabinets

Framed cabinets consist of a four-sided box with a frame attached to the front. The doors and drawers partially or fully cover this frame, a feature referred to as the “overlay,” which will be explained further in a later section.

Entry-level framed cabinets are often made with particle board or furniture board, though some lines offer plywood upgrades for an additional cost. Plywood is widely considered the superior material for cabinet construction, but it varies in grade and thickness, affecting durability.

The method used to connect cabinet parts also impacts quality. Budget-friendly cabinets typically feature basic joints where the box meets the frame. Premium cabinets, however, include enhanced structural bracing to maintain squareness during installation. For example, compare one of our RTA lines to a semi-custom line—note the differences in side construction, back hanging rails, corner blocks, and front-to-back bracing. These details highlight the structural advantages of higher-quality cabinets.

1.2 Cabinet Doors and Drawers

Cabinet Doors

The construction of kitchen cabinet doors varies by brand, but most follow a similar design. Doors typically consist of two vertical wood pieces, called stiles, and two horizontal wood pieces, called rails. These stiles and rails join at or near the corners, using different types of joints depending on the design. Together, they form a frame that holds a center panel in place.

Furthermore, the center panel can vary in both material and thickness. For example, entry-level cabinet doors often feature ¼-inch veneered center panels combined with solid wood stiles and rails. However, upgrades to solid wood center panels are usually available for an additional cost. On the other hand, premium cabinet doors often include ¾-inch thick solid wood center panels, offering enhanced durability and a more refined appearance.

In addition, some manufacturers use alternative materials like High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) for the center panel on painted finishes. This choice provides better stability, significantly reducing the expansion and contraction common with all-wood doors. This approach is especially effective in climates like the Midwest, where Thompson Price is located, because seasonal changes between hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters amplify these issues.

Cabinet Drawers

Drawer fronts follow similar design principles as cabinet doors. Inexpensive kitchen cabinets often include a single type of drawer front or box, typically a solid, flat wood piece called a “slab.” However, many cabinets offer five-piece drawer fronts, which are constructed like cabinet doors for added visual appeal. In semi-custom and custom cabinet lines, you can mix and match drawer front styles to create unique design combinations. For high-end cabinets, you can even customize the edge profiles of drawer fronts and doors, as well as the profiles of the finished openings.

Drawer boxes vary significantly in material and construction quality. At Thompson Price, all kitchen cabinets feature dovetail construction and full-extension slides with soft-close functionality for smooth operation and durability. For custom cabinets, you can further personalize your drawers by selecting between English or French dovetail joints, as well as choosing a finished dovetail option for a polished look.

1.3 Cabinet Overlay

Cabinet overlay determines how much the doors and drawers cover the cabinet’s face frame, a concept often misunderstood. Frameless cabinets inherently use a full-overlay design, where doors and drawers fully conceal the cabinet box. In contrast, framed cabinets offer several overlay options: standard (also called partial or traditional), full-overlay, and, in some custom cabinets, “marginal” overlay. Marginal overlay creates a hybrid appearance by sharing stiles and rails, blending elements of both standard and full-overlay designs.

Higher-end cabinets frequently include an “inset” overlay, where doors and drawers sit flush within the face frame. Because inset construction requires extremely tight tolerances—typically about ⅛ inch—it demands precise craftsmanship and high-quality hardware. Full-overlay and inset overlays generally cost more than standard overlays due to their meticulous construction and refined appearance.

1.4 Cabinet Hardware

The hardware used in kitchen cabinets plays a key role in their functionality and longevity. While cabinet doors, drawers, and construction are important, high-quality hardware makes a significant difference. Many manufacturers now include soft-close drawers and doors as standard features. However, premium manufacturers set themselves apart by using Blum hardware, which offers exceptional performance. Blum glides move smoothly, ensuring drawers close reliably every time, and their design simplifies both installation and adjustments.

On the other hand, lower-grade cabinets often limit shelf adjustability. These cabinets typically have fewer holes for shelf placement and use plastic locking shelf clips, which lack durability. In contrast, we equip our better-value cabinets with metal spoon clips. These clips provide stronger support and allow for easy shelf adjustments, making them a superior option for long-term use and convenience.

1.5 Cabinet Finishes

Cabinet finishes vary widely, with painted finishes remaining popular in recent years, though wood stains and textured finishes are gaining traction. The quality and type of wood used are crucial, as premium manufacturers use high-grade solid woods with strict standards for imperfections and variations.

Textured finishes offer modern styles by wrapping cabinets with materials like melamine, thermofoil, acrylic, metal, or reconstituted wood veneers, which can create patterns not found in natural wood. A major trend today is combining multiple materials, textures, and finishes, with kitchens often featuring two or more distinct design elements for a unique, layered look.

Section 2:  Kitchen Cabinets Types and Brands

2.1 RTA and Stock Kitchen Cabinets

Ready to Assemble (RTA) Cabinets

RTA, or “Ready to Assemble,” cabinets are pre-finished, flat-packed products that require assembly either on-site or before delivery to the job site. While quality varies widely, most RTA cabinets share common traits, such as limited sizes, styles, finishes, and SKUs. Some manufacturers, however, ship their RTA cabinets fully assembled for added convenience.

These cabinets are ideal for DIY enthusiasts, house flippers, or anyone seeking affordable cabinetry. They are also a great option when time is critical, as many RTA lines are stocked and ready to ship. To ensure durability and performance, choose RTA cabinets with high-quality materials and hardware, such as those from our Northpoint Cabinet line or Innovation Cabinetry.

2.2 Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets hit the sweet spot in kitchen cabinetry by balancing customization and affordability. They come in standard sizes but allow modifications to dimensions and options, making them highly popular. Many semi-custom lines offer a wide range of styles and colors, and some even let you choose a custom paint color for your cabinets.

With greater design flexibility, semi-custom cabinets provide trim components and options that create a more personalized look. Some lines can even accommodate unique, custom pieces. However, this level of customization often means longer lead times, with typical shipping ranging from 3 to 8 weeks depending on the finish and delivery location.

For faster options, our Fabuwood line offers certain styles ready to ship in just 5–7 business days. We also carry Waypoint Cabinets for entry-level pricing, Urban Effects Cabinetry for frameless cabinets, Monarch for inset cabinets, and Wolf Endeavor for cost-effective multi-family solutions.

2.3 Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Custom kitchen cabinets offer the highest level of flexibility and design, making them the ultimate choice for cabinetry. Unlike semi-custom options, which provide limited modifications, custom cabinets allow you to tailor nearly every detail to fit your exact needs. We can bring almost any design you imagine to life with our custom cabinetry.

These cabinets work perfectly in unique situations, such as when you need extra-tall designs. For instance, we can build cabinets up to 120 inches tall and wall cabinets up to 66 inches high. Additionally, our custom lines create seamless inset cabinets by crafting multiple units as a single piece. This furniture-like construction minimizes visible seams, unlike semi-custom options.

Moreover, we can customize cabinets to notch around field items, increase top rails, or feature fully finished bottoms, reducing the labor required during installation. If you don’t find a door style, wood species, or color you love, we will create one specifically for you. With options like multiple sheen levels and virtually limitless customization, our custom cabinets provide unmatched versatility and elegance.

2.4 Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets

Outdoor kitchen cabinets have become increasingly popular as homeowners embrace the trend of extending indoor living spaces to the outdoors. Creating an outdoor kitchen is an excellent way to entertain while enjoying nature.

Manufacturers design outdoor cabinets to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions. They typically construct these cabinets from durable materials like metal or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). To accommodate larger outdoor grills and equipment, outdoor cabinets are deeper than indoor cabinets. In addition, any exposed areas require finished end and back panels to ensure a polished appearance.

Although outdoor cabinets generally cost more than indoor options, most outdoor kitchens use only a few cabinets. Size and style options are limited, and custom modifications are not typically available. At Thompson Price, we offer powder-coated aluminum and HDPE outdoor cabinets, which are ready to ship in 10–14 days for common sizes and styles.

Section 3:  Kitchen Cabinet Finish Options

3.1 Stains & Paints

Stains & Paints

Stains and paints, or opaques, dominate as the most common and popular finishes for kitchen cabinets today. Paints stand out for their consistent finish and ability to incorporate any color into your kitchen’s design seamlessly. Most kitchen cabinet lines use solid wood or MDF as the base material for painted finishes. In higher-end cabinet lines, you can often choose custom colors and varying sheen levels to match your style.

Stains, on the other hand, are translucent finishes that allow the natural wood grain to show through, creating warmth and a rich textural element in your kitchen. While maple and cherry remain the most popular wood choices, hickory, quarter-sawn white oak, and walnut have recently gained attention for their unique grain patterns.

Stains range from light to dark and can add tones that enhance the wood with red, brown, or yellow hues. Newer multi-step stains offer modern looks, such as gray or washed-out effects, adding even more character. Stained finishes are particularly appealing because they are easier to touch up and repair than solid finishes, ensuring long-term beauty and practicality.

3.2 Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets hit the sweet spot in kitchen cabinetry by balancing customization and affordability. They come in standard sizes but allow modifications to dimensions and options, making them highly popular. Many semi-custom lines offer a wide range of styles and colors, and some even let you choose a custom paint color for your cabinets.

With greater design flexibility, semi-custom cabinets provide trim components and options that create a more personalized look. Some lines can even accommodate unique, custom pieces. However, this level of customization often means longer lead times, with typical shipping ranging from 3 to 8 weeks depending on the finish and delivery location.

For faster options, our Fabuwood line offers certain styles ready to ship in just 5–7 business days. We also carry Waypoint Cabinets for entry-level pricing, Urban Effects Cabinetry for frameless cabinets, Monarch for inset cabinets, and Wolf Endeavor for cost-effective multi-family solutions.

2.3 Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Custom kitchen cabinets offer the highest level of flexibility and design, making them the ultimate choice for cabinetry. Unlike semi-custom options, which provide limited modifications, custom cabinets allow you to tailor nearly every detail to fit your exact needs. We can bring almost any design you imagine to life with our custom cabinetry.

These cabinets work perfectly in unique situations, such as when you need extra-tall designs. For instance, we can build cabinets up to 120 inches tall and wall cabinets up to 66 inches high. Additionally, our custom lines create seamless inset cabinets by crafting multiple units as a single piece. This furniture-like construction minimizes visible seams, unlike semi-custom options.

Moreover, we can customize cabinets to notch around field items, increase top rails, or feature fully finished bottoms, reducing the labor required during installation. If you don’t find a door style, wood species, or color you love, we will create one specifically for you. With options like multiple sheen levels and virtually limitless customization, our custom cabinets provide unmatched versatility and elegance.

2.4 Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets

Outdoor kitchen cabinets have become increasingly popular as homeowners embrace the trend of extending indoor living spaces to the outdoors. Creating an outdoor kitchen is an excellent way to entertain while enjoying nature.

Manufacturers design outdoor cabinets to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions. They typically construct these cabinets from durable materials like metal or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). To accommodate larger outdoor grills and equipment, outdoor cabinets are deeper than indoor cabinets. In addition, any exposed areas require finished end and back panels to ensure a polished appearance.

Although outdoor cabinets generally cost more than indoor options, most outdoor kitchens use only a few cabinets. Size and style options are limited, and custom modifications are not typically available. At Thompson Price, we offer powder-coated aluminum and HDPE outdoor cabinets, which are ready to ship in 10–14 days for common sizes and styles.