{"id":7058078,"date":"2026-09-06T02:17:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T02:17:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/comparing-low-to-high-cabinetry-options-from-big-box-stores-thrifty-decor-chick\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T02:17:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T02:17:49","slug":"comparing-low-to-high-cabinetry-options-from-big-box-stores-thrifty-decor-chick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7058078","title":{"rendered":"Comparing Low to High Cabinetry Options From Big Box Stores | Thrifty Decor Chick"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Breaking down the differences between unassembled\u00a0and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets.
\n <\/h2>\n

\n I’m breaking down the differences in quality and pricing among the four
\n types of cabinets available from most big box hardware stores.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n I’ve used three of the four options for my DIY projects over the years and
\n have come up with a favorite!\n <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n After much research on what type of cabinet to use for our basement
\n kitchenette project, I decided to go with unassembled kitchen cabinets for
\n the first time ever, and I’m so glad I did! I’ll be sharing the benefits of
\n these easy-to-assemble cabinets, also known as RTA (or ready-to-assemble).<\/p>\n

\n One thing that shocked me was the price of quality assembled cabinets. It
\n seemed they were increasing in price by the day! \ud83d\ude2c\u00a0I didn’t consider custom cabinets because I can DIY so many of the
\n fancy details myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This post has been updated in September, 2026.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\n I’ve always used in stock unfinished cabinets for my DIY built ins, partly
\n because I’m usually impatient and want to go get them when I want them, but
\n mostly because the price is fantastic and they can easily be updated a
\n number of ways.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n But I wanted a little higher quality for this space, so after looking at
\n options for our new kitchen, I decided on unassembled<\/i>\u00a0RTA cabinets:\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n \"avondale<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\n This post may contain\u00a0affiliate links for your\u00a0convenience.<\/i>\n <\/p>\n

\n I may earn a small commission when\u00a0<\/i>you make a purchase through links.\u00a0<\/i>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n We choose the
\n Hampton Bay Avondale shaker cabinets<\/a>
\n from Home Depot. I found you get a lot of the bells and whistles of higher end
\n cabinets, but they cost way<\/i> less because you’re doing most of the work.
\n \ud83d\ude42\u00a0\n<\/div>\n

\n I set up my cabinet assembly line on our long dining table in the basement (with a
\n big drop cloth and scrap cardboard from the cabinets on top).\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n The only hard part of this process\u00a0was getting them down the stairs.
\n The boxes were HEAVY (these are made with plywood instead of the cheaper
\n furniture board the less expensive versions are made of).\n<\/p>\n

\n For the larger cabinets, we opened them up and took the parts down in trips.\n<\/p>\n

\n Once down there though, the process was pleasantly easy and quick. I’m one of
\n those weirdos who doesn’t mind furniture assembly, so it was almost fun for
\n me…like a puzzle.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n After a couple I had the process down by heart. I was thoroughly impressed
\n with the quality — the drawers have dovetail joints:\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n \"dovetail<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n

\n You don’t need any fancy tools for this cabinet assembly. A mallet and
\n drill or screwdriver is all you’ll need.\u00a0\n <\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

\n The sides slide together and then are easily joined with the provided corner
\n braces and screws:\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n \"corner<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n And the cabinets come with everything you’ll need — including soft close
\n drawer and door hardware:\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n \"soft<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n When I got going, the process went quick! I assembled nine cabinets in a
\n couple days — the smaller ones only took about 30 minutes each. The more
\n complex drawer units took about 45 minutes to an hour.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n Let’s look closer at the different cabinet options.
\n <\/h3>\n

\n I’m breaking down the three types of cabinets I’ve used and their pricing,
\n plus throwing in details of more custom options as well.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n (These are based on Home Depot’s pricing just because that’s where I’ve
\n purchased from most often.)\n <\/p>\n

1. First up, the unfinished cabinets.<\/h4>\n
\n \"dark<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n They come unfinished and are very<\/b> basic. No frills, no soft close, no
\n paint:<\/p>\n

\"all<\/a><\/div>\n

\n The units are typically made of particle board, which is not the best<\/i> material, but I’ve
\n found it holds up just fine for DIY projects like these built ins.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\"dark<\/a><\/div>\n

\n I like using these for bookcases like this because I don’t have to worry
\n about priming and painting over a paint finish. I can finish them however I
\n want.\n <\/p>\n

\n 2. The second option are assembled and painted in stock<\/i> cabinets.
\n <\/h4>\n
\"Courtland<\/a><\/div>\n

\n These cost more than the unfinished versions, but come assembled and
\n painted. And they come in a few more configurations (sizes and options) as
\n well.\n <\/p>\n

\n This option doesn’t come with soft close drawers or anything like that, and
\n are also made with cheaper materials.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n Overall I wasn’t thrilled with the quality on these and wish I would have
\n gone with the versions I used in the basement. The pantry cabinets are
\n holding up just fine, but the basement kitchen ones have all the bells and
\n whistles!\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n 3. Unassembled cabinets (what I used for our kitchenette).\u00a0
\n <\/h4>\n
\n

\n These are by far my favorite of the three I’ve used in our home, because
\n of the quality and high end details that are included.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n It’s the little things — the drawers are FULLY extendable. This is a
\n detail on our kitchen cabinets that I love! You can access everything in
\n the drawer easily:<\/p>\n

\n \"full<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

\n The assembly wasn’t hard at all — a beginner DIYer could easily do it. It
\n may take more time if you’ve never assembled furniture.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n Home Depot provides great instructions and how-to videos for these as
\n well.\n <\/p>\n

These turned out beautifully in our basement bar\/kitchen:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

4. Special order custom cabinets.<\/h4>\n

\n I’ve never used custom cabinets in our homes, so I can’t speak to them
\n personally. But they can be made to fit your room specifications and the
\n drawer and door design options are endless!\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n Custom cabinets can also be built with useful organizational additions
\n like pull out shelves, spice racks, etc.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n As expected, these are usually the most expensive of the four
\n options.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n Comparing the price of these cabinet options.
\n <\/h3>\n

\n Let’s talk pricing, as it varies quite a bit depending on what you
\n pick!\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

\n I gathered prices for two cabinets (a base cabinet with drawers and a 36″
\n sink base) to compare the pricing for each. (Again, these are all Home
\n Depot cabinets.)\n <\/p>\n

\n

\n Thirty-six inch wide sink base:\n <\/p>\n

\n