How I saved on our kitchen renovation by buying unassembled kitchen cupboards.
I am breaking down the variations in high quality and pricing among the many 4 varieties of cupboards accessible from most large field {hardware} shops.
I’ve used three of the 4 choices for my DIY tasks through the years and have give you a favourite!
After a lot analysis on what sort of cupboard to make use of for our basement kitchenette venture, I made a decision to go along with unassembled kitchen cupboards for the primary time ever, and I am so glad I did! I will be sharing the advantages of those easy-to-assemble cupboards.
One factor that shocked me was the value of high quality assembled cupboards. It appeared they have been growing in worth by the day! 😬
I did not think about customized cupboards simply because I can add so most of the fancy particulars myself.
I’ve all the time utilized in inventory unfinished cupboards for my DIY builds, partly as a result of I am often impatient and wish to go get them once I need them, however principally as a result of the value is unbelievable and so they can simply be up to date quite a few methods.
However I needed a bit greater high quality for this house, so after choices for our new kitchen, I made a decision on unassembled cupboards:
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I arrange my cupboard meeting on our lengthy eating desk within the basement with a giant drop material and scrap cardboard from the cupboards on prime.
The one laborious a part of this cupboard constructing was getting them down the steps. The bins have been HEAVY (these are made with plywood as a substitute of the cheaper furnishings board the cheaper variations are made from).
For the bigger cupboards, we opened them up and took the elements down in journeys.
As soon as down there although, the method was pleasantly straightforward and fast. I am a type of weirdos who would not thoughts furnishings meeting, so this was virtually enjoyable for me…like a puzzle.
After a pair I had the method down by coronary heart. I used to be completely impressed with the standard — the drawers have dovetail joints:
You do not want any fancy instruments for this cupboard meeting. A mallet and drill or screwdriver is all you will want.
The perimeters slide collectively after which are simply joined with the supplied nook braces and screws:
And the cupboards include all the pieces you will want — together with mushy shut drawer and door {hardware}:
After I received going, the method went fast! I assembled 9 cupboards in a pair days — the smaller ones solely took about half-hour every. The extra complicated drawer items took about 45 minutes to an hour.
Let’s look nearer on the completely different cupboard choices.
I am breaking down the three varieties of cupboards I’ve used and their worth, plus throwing in particulars of extra customized choices as nicely.
(These are based mostly on Dwelling Depot’s pricing simply because that is the place I’ve bought from most frequently.)
1. First up, the unfinished cupboards.
They arrive unfinished and are very primary. No frills, no mushy shut, no paint.
The items are usually made from particle board, which isn’t nice, however I’ve discovered it holds up simply positive for DIY tasks like these constructed ins.
They’re cheap and really straightforward to replace your self!
I like utilizing these for bookcases like this as a result of I haven’t got to fret about priming and portray over a paint end. I can end them nevertheless I need.
2. The second possibility are assembled and painted in inventory cupboards.
These price greater than the unfinished variations, however come assembled and painted. They usually are available in a number of extra configurations (sizes and choices) as nicely.
This feature would not include mushy shut drawers or something like that, and are additionally made with cheaper supplies.
General I wasn’t thrilled with the standard on these and want I might have gone with the variations I used within the basement. The pantry cupboards are holding up simply positive, however the basement kitchen ones have all of the bells and whistles!
3. Unassembled cupboards (what I used for our kitchenette).
These are by far my favourite of the three I’ve utilized in our house, due to the standard and excessive finish particulars which can be included.
It is the little issues — the drawers are FULLY extendable. It is a element on our kitchen cupboards that I really like! You’ll be able to entry all the pieces within the drawer simply:
The meeting wasn’t laborious in any respect — a newbie DIYer may simply do it. It might take extra time in case you’ve by no means assembled furnishings.
Dwelling Depot offers nice directions and how-to movies for these as nicely.
4. Particular order customized cupboards.
I’ve by no means used customized cupboards in our properties, so I can not converse to them personally. However they are often made to suit your room specs and the drawer and door design choices are limitless!
Customized cupboards will also be constructed with helpful organizational additions like pull out cabinets, spice racks, and so on.
As anticipated, these are often the most costly of the 4 choices.
Evaluating the value of those cupboard choices.
Let’s discuss pricing, because it varies fairly a bit relying on what you decide!
I gathered costs for 2 cupboards (a base cupboard with drawers and a 36″ sink base) to check the pricing for every. (Once more, these are all Dwelling Depot cupboards.)
Thirty-six inch broad sink base:
- unfinished sink base/$189
- assembled in inventory sink base/$200
- unassembled completed sink base/ $339
- customized sink base possibility/$658
Thirty-six inch drawer base cupboard:
- unfinished (largest measurement I may discover is 24″)/$215
- assembled in inventory drawer base/$462
- unassembled completed drawer base/$360
- customized drawer base/$1073
For essentially the most half, the unassembled cabinetry goes waaaay additional for the cash.
I extremely advocate going with the unassembled cupboards in case you’re in search of a deal and do not thoughts the additional time and work they entail.
I made a useful graph so you’ll be able to see the professionals and cons in a single spot:
I ought to point out, IKEA is all the time an ideal possibility for cupboards, however I am overwhelmed each time I look into them. There are such a lot of choices and elements, it freezes my mind. 🙂
To not point out they often find yourself costing greater than the ironmongery store choices I’ve used.
We had our cupboards put in by contractors and I am so glad we did. I’ve put in many cupboards, however not with the variety of corners and spacers we would have liked for this house.
Here is a peek at how they got here collectively:
My little in-built cabinets work so nicely for us! We had some awkward house accessible so I made a decision to make use of it for baskets.
As a substitute of utilizing the fridge enclosure elements accessible on this cupboard assortment, we used plywood ripped right down to measurement to border it out:
You’ll be able to see a little bit of the flooring in these pics. I lastly received that put in over the vacations and I can not wait to indicate you.
A lot to catch you up on! I will be sharing extra progress quickly!
Have you ever used any of those cupboard choices in your house? I might love to listen to your expertise.