How much do kitchen cabinets cost?
How Much Will Kitchen Cabinets Cost in 2026? A Real-World Guide From a Cabinet Company Owner
One of the most common questions we get at Austin Cabinets Direct is:
"How much will kitchen cabinets cost?"
The honest answer is: it depends.
I've seen kitchens cost as little as $10,000 and as much as $60,000 for the cabinetry package alone. The biggest mistake homeowners make is believing the generic pricing articles they find online. Most of those articles are written by marketing companies that have never designed or installed a kitchen.
After helping homeowners throughout Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, and surrounding communities remodel their kitchens, I've learned that there are a handful of factors that determine where your project will fall.
Average Kitchen Cabinet Cost
Based on our actual projects, here are realistic cabinet investment ranges:
Kitchen Size Typical Cabinet Investment with counters
Small Kitchen $10,000 - $14,000
Average Kitchen $14,000 - $18,000
Large Kitchen: $18,000 - $40,000+
Luxury Kitchen: $40,000 - $60,000+
These numbers include the cabinets themselves and are based on real projects we've completed throughout Central Texas.
The Biggest Factors That Affect Cabinet Cost
1. Drawer Stack Cabinets
If you want to increase the cost of a kitchen quickly, replace standard base cabinets with drawer stacks.
Drawer cabinets require significantly more materials, hardware, and labor to manufacture than standard door cabinets. They also happen to be one of the best upgrades you can make because they're incredibly functional.
2. Extending Cabinets to the Ceiling
Nine-foot and ten-foot ceilings look amazing when cabinets extend all the way up.
They also cost more.
Stacked cabinets, matching interior finish, glass display cabinet cutouts, and increased installation labor all contribute to the added expense due to the additional total of cabinet boxes.
3. Cabinet Brand Selection
Not all cabinet brands are priced the same.
At Austin Cabinets Direct, our most popular cabinet lines include:
Artemis Cabinetry
Budget-friendly pricing
Excellent construction quality
Fewer door styles and finish options
US Cabinet Depot
Mid-range pricing
One of our most popular cabinet lines
Great balance of quality and value
KCD
Mid-range pricing
Strong construction and flexibility
GoldenHome
Mid-range to premium
European frameless cabinetry
Modern design aesthetic
Waypoint Living Spaces
Premium semi-custom cabinetry
Built to order
Extensive customization options
4. Glass Cabinets
Glass cabinets are beautiful.
They're also more expensive than most homeowners realize.
The cabinet must be prepared to receive glass, the interior often needs to be finished to match the exterior, the glass itself adds cost, and installation becomes more involved.
5. Pullouts and Accessories
Trash pullouts.
Spice pullouts.
Roll-out trays.
Pantry accessories.
These upgrades increase cabinet costs, but they also provide some of the best long-term value.
The 3 Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make
Mistake #1: Assuming You Can't Afford New Cabinets After Getting a Big Box Store Quote
We hear this all the time.
A homeowner gets a quote from a big box store and immediately assumes their dream kitchen is out of reach.
Before giving up, visit a local family-owned cabinet company.
We're homeowners too. We understand budgets and can often provide alternative cabinet lines and design solutions that deliver the look you want without breaking the bank.
Mistake #2: Not Comparing “Apples to Apples”
This is probably the biggest issue we see.
Many cabinet quotes don't include everything required to complete the project.
Missing items often include:
Crown molding
Light rail molding
Fillers
Finished end panels
Touch-up kits
Inserts or Pullouts
Hardware
Installation
Demo and haul away
Countertops with installation and sink cut out
Delivery
Tax
A lower quote isn't always a better deal if it doesn't include everything needed to finish the job properly.
Mistake #3: Getting Quotes Before Choosing Cabinets
Visit a showroom first.
Open the drawers.
Look at the finishes.
Compare colors.
Talk with a designer.
Every cabinet brand has different pricing, options, and limitations.
You don't need professional plans.
Bring:
Pictures
Measurements
Inspiration photos
Existing layouts
Honestly, I've designed kitchens from sketches that looked like they were drawn with a crayon on a napkin.
A good designer can work with almost anything.
Real Kitchen Cabinet Cost Examples
Round Rock Kitchen Remodel – $25,000
Cabinet Brand: Waypoint Living Spaces
Features included:
Painted Vanilla perimeter cabinets
Stained Maple Almond island
Stacked cabinets to a 10-foot ceiling
Glass display cabinets
Decorative hood
Large double-sided island
Pullouts and accessories
This project demonstrates how quickly costs increase when homeowners choose premium semi-custom cabinetry and ceiling-height stacked cabinets.
Austin Kitchen Remodel – $18,400
Cabinet Brands: US Cabinet Depot + Artemis Cabinetry
Features included:
Standard-height cabinetry
Double-sided island
Floating shelves
Pantry cabinets
Trash pullout
Additional storage accessories
This project is a great example of balancing style, functionality, and budget by mixing cabinet lines strategically.
What Does a Typical Kitchen Remodel Cost?
One recent kitchen remodel included:
ItemCostDemo & Haul Away$1,700Cabinets & Trim$13,000Cabinet Installation$3,200Quartz Countertops, Sink, Fabrication & Installation$6,000Tile Backsplash & Installation$2,500Hardware$500Delivery$600Total Project Cost$27,500
In this example, cabinets and installation represented nearly 60% of the overall project investment.
The Best Cabinet Upgrades
After years of designing kitchens, these are the upgrades homeowners love most:
1. Trash Pullouts
The undisputed champion.
Almost everyone who gets one says they would never go back.
2. Roll-Out Trays
These make deep cabinets dramatically easier to use and organize.
3. Spice and Utensil Pullouts
Small upgrade. Huge convenience.
Cabinet Upgrades That May Not Be Worth It
Traditional Lazy Susans
Older lazy susan systems that rely on a center pole often become loose and less reliable over time. Avoid these
Replacing All Your Upper Cabinets With Floating Shelves
Floating shelves look fantastic in photos.
In real life they collect dust, display clutter, and significantly reduce storage space.
We love them as an accent feature—not as the primary storage solution for an entire kitchen.
Why Homeowners Choose Austin Cabinets Direct
We don't just sell cabinets.
We manage the entire project.
We show up, measure your kitchen, design it, and provide pricing that is typically within about 5% of the final project cost.
We make sure orders arrive correctly and on time.
We answer the phone.
We communicate.
We care.
We've completed full kitchen remodels that started on a Monday with demolition and finished on Saturday with countertops installed, hardware installed, and every door and drawer adjusted properly.
No missing parts.
No waiting weeks for trim.
No half-finished kitchens.
Our goal isn't to collect a deposit and move on to the next customer.
Our goal is to earn a five-star review and become the company you recommend to your friends and family.
That's the difference.
Ready to Start Your Kitchen Remodel?
If you're considering new kitchen cabinets in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, or surrounding areas, visit our showroom and let's talk about your project.
Bring measurements, pictures, sketches, or even a crayon drawing on a napkin.
We'll help you turn it into the kitchen you've been dreaming about.
We make it way easier to actually get this done.
