Kitchen cabinets are one of the most important features in any kitchen, and they can be really expensive to install. If you're on a tight budget, you might not be able to afford new cabinets.
However, there are ways to find cheaper or free kitchen cabinets. You might not get the exact style or color you want, but if you're looking for a way to save some money, these tips will help.
Ready to Assemble Kitchen Cabinets
One of the tips for choosing kitchen cabinets is to buy ready to assemble cabinets. These are usually cheaper than pre-assembled cabinets, and you can usually find them at home improvement stores or online.
One thing to note is that ready-to-assemble cabinets can be a little tricky to put together. They come flat packed in boxes and thus require your assembly skills to create a functional, three-dimensional kitchen cabinet. Ready to assemble cabinets are nowadays sold online, so to maximize your cost-saving, be aware of shipping costs and do everything to diminish those costs.
Essentially, you'll order RTA cheap kitchen cabinets online, and they'll be shipped to you in flat packed boxes. The assembly is straightforward and involves the common cam lock and bracket system.
Facebook Local Groups or Buy Nothing Project
One good source of free kitchen cabinets is through your local buy nothing group. Buy Nothing is a hyper-local, neighborhood specific initiative that requires that everything is listed for free. One big advantage of finding free cabinets through your local group is that there is no fierce competition when the materials are offered to the entire city or region.
You'll have others competing for the materials, but there will be fewer people doing so. You can also personally appeal to the person offering the items. On the downside, Facebook local groups mainly have small items like bookshelves, clothing, treadmills, and area rugs.
Facebook Marketplace
Items at the Facebook marketplace come at a monetary cost or the cost of bartered items. Areas covered by the Facebook marketplace aren't as granular as with Facebook local groups. However, the Facebook marketplace is usually within your exact city or metro area.
IKEA Kitchen Cabinets
IKEA is a Swedish furniture retailer that offers home kitchen cabinets. The cool thing about IKEA kitchen cabinets is that they come in parts and are modular. This means you can mix and match the parts to create a custom look for your kitchen. In addition, IKEA's cabinet prices are relatively low compared to other retailers.
IKEA cabinets represent the confluence of factors that make for an inexpensive cabinet. These include medium density fiberboard construction and the ability to physically pick them up yourself. IKEA kitchen cabinets are a combination of ready to assemble and display in the vast showroom at any IKEA store. You can also purchase these cabinets and pick them up at brick and mortar stores.
Display Kitchen Cabinets
The cabinets are modular and can be arranged in a variety of ways. You can find many kitchen cabinet designs on the internet. If you don't want to purchase an entire set of kitchen cabinets, there are other ways to get free or inexpensive cabinets for your kitchen.
Display kitchen cabinets are the displays set up in places like home improvement stores, local kitchen, and bath design showrooms. Maybe you've even checked a variety of displays as you dream about your kitchen remodel. If you're looking for some cheap kitchen cabinets that are stylish and of high quality, then buy display models.
The best part about using this method of cheap kitchen cabinets is that the quality cabinets will also include plenty of extras that the showroom or home improvement store wants to display despite being lightly used. These extras include cabinet pull outs, bread boxes, cutting boards, and sliding spice racks.
It's because of the wear and tear of the display kitchen cabinets that, if you're persistent and play your cards right, you'll receive a significant and beneficial discount for the ultimate cheap kitchen cabinetry. If you're not against cabinets that others have touched and used for months, then this is a great way to save a lot of money on your kitchen remodel.
Warehouse Club Stores
If you're not opposed to slightly used kitchen cabinets and are looking for a great bargain, the warehouse club stores such as Costco and Sam's Club may be a great option for you. They're known for low prices on many items.
These stores typically have a section where they sell returned or floor models at a deep discount. So, if you're willing to take on a slightly used kitchen cabinet, you can score some great deals. You cannot expect deep price cuts at the clubs, but you'll enjoy some savings.
Most importantly, quality tends to be high. For example, Costco has a long association with a Florida based all wood cabinetry, which does live up to the all wood part of its name since cabinet cores are made entirely of furniture grade plywood and veneers.
Commercial Salvage Yards
Commercial salvage yards are a great place to find kitchen cabinets. These businesses deal with the disposal of commercial and industrial items. As a result, they often have a wide variety of cabinets in stock from all kinds of brands and manufacturers.
The best part about commercial salvage yards is that you can get your cabinets for free. All items, from bathtubs, countertops, and flooring to mirrors, sinks, and kitchen cabinets, you can find just about any home element you need. However, of the low cost of kitchen cabinets, commercial salvage yards have the highest costs, as selling used home elements is what they do to earn a living.
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Habitat for Humanity Restore is another great place to find used kitchen cabinets. This organization accepts donations of gently used or new home furnishings and then sells them at a fraction of the original cost. Habitat for Humanity Restore also has locations all over the country, so you're likely to have one near you. Also, by shopping at Restores, you help support community Habitat for Humanity programs.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a great place to find used kitchen cabinets (and just about anything else). You can search by location or keyword and specify the cabinet's condition (i.e., new, used, or restored). You can also get a sense of what's available in your area by checking out the Craigslist ads for your city or town. Large remodeling materials are a common feature on craigslist.
FAQs on How to Find Cheap or Free Kitchen Cabinets
What is the best material for kitchen cabinets?
The best material for a kitchen cabinet depends on the homeowner's preference. However, solid wood kitchen cabinets are usually considered the best because they are durable and can last for many years.
Are kitchen cabinets necessary?
A kitchen cabinet is not a necessary item in every home, but it is a convenient addition that can provide homeowners with extra storage space. Kitchen cabinet renovation also helps you create a more modern look in your kitchen.
What is the cheapest wood for kitchen cabinets?
The least expensive wood option for kitchen cabinets is always birch, while the cheapest kitchen cabinet materials are plywood and medium density fiberboard.
Final Thought on How to Get Cheap or Free Kitchen Cabinets
There you have it! While you can expect your kitchen cabinets to take a significant chunk of your kitchen remodel budget, there are ways that you can cut the costs. You can either find cheap kitchen cabinets or free kitchen cabinets, which can help you stay within your budget.
