Flat-pack or Custom: Which Cabinetry Option Suits You Better?

Apr 24
2 min read

When outfitting your kitchen with a suite of new and shiny equipment, the choice between flat-pack or custom cabinets can be especially tough. The opportunity for renovation doesn’t come often, and you’re deciding on what you’ll be swinging open for the foreseeable future.

How Does the Price Stack Up?

In preparing for a renovation, you’ve probably spied some of these modestly-priced cabinets in home improvement stores, weighing the savings against a set of custom cabinets, and that much is undeniable; flat-pack units are produced with the goal of providing serviceable, low-cost units.

Modern kitchen with beige cabinets and marble backsplash. Wooden countertop with black stove. Potted plant on the right adds greenery.

Additionally, more cost can be saved if you choose to fit the unit yourself, saving yourself valuable installation fees. Custom cabinetry, on the other hand, is pricier, with installation included as part of the service but can very well be worth it.

Quality:

In comparing quality between ready-to-assemble cabinets versus a custom job, it comes as no surprise that the latter scores a decisive victory. Flat-packs are reliable for the most part, but are commonly manufactured with materials such as particle board, which is vulnerable to moisture and can prove difficult to repair.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, black dual sink, and stainless faucet. Open shelves with bowls, soft lighting, and beige tiles.

With custom cabinetry, you’ll often see premium wood and long-lasting materials. The premium you pay for custom includes the service and expertise of professionals, ensuring perfect installation and compatibility, in contrast to flat-packs; where further work is required if the dimensions or accommodations are off.

Identity

Flat-pack cabinets are designed to accommodate a wide variety of homes, offering a degree of versatility, but this also means they aren’t perfect for any one in particular. Catering to a broad variety of homeowners comes with compromises in identity.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, gold handles, and marble backsplash. Gold faucet and stovetop on white countertop. Sleek, elegant design.

If you’re handy with a toolbox, flat-packs can give you a set of new cabinets the same day you get home from the shop. There’s no doubt that the savings and convenience can be highly appealing, but when it comes to kitchen cabinetry, you certainly get what you pay for. It all comes down to your budget and vision for your kitchen.